Interview with Randi, Nature Art Teacher

by Ram Dutt / Glitter & Gold Stars / Feb 8.10

This past Saturday we asked you What Do You Want To Read About on Meylah, and the majority voted to read more featured artist interviews.  So, with that said, today we have a wonderful featured artist interview with Randi of NatureArtClass.com.  

Meylah: How do you define Nature Art?  What are the essential elements that you use to create Nature Art?
Randi: Nature Art is created and defined with what the earth can provide. We manipulate it into simple designs. Elements that are essential to create Nature Art are found in every day life. I use herbs, tea, flowers, leaves, sticks, food, sponges, corks, feathers, paper and water... almost anything can work. Brushes are used for placement of paint sometimes, but fingers work fine. There are many ways to make Nature Art.

Meylah: Your education, background and experience is very diverse.  How did you gravitate to Nature Art?
Randi: I have always wanted to be a teacher. Having a long career in textile design, I designed everything I could think of.  I took a short break when my daughter was born and took classes with her. I loved all the classes. I don't ever remember anything as organic as my Nature Art class. I explored the web and found art classes, but nothing like it.

The textile industry has changed,and along with everything else has become computerized. My passion is to teach beautiful unique art that is done organically. In my portfolio there is a body of work I came up with one weekend after visiting a local farmer's market. It was all herb printings and was so much fun to do. This is how I gravitated to Nature Art. At this time the earth was in the process of turning "green."

Meylah: Have you considered selling your creations online?
Randi: I am just starting to think about it. It certainly is a possibility.

Meylah: Have you considered creating an online instructional tutorial for everyone to learn Nature Art?
Randi: That is an interesting concept that can certainly compliment what I do, but the real value is hands on.  I think everyone should come try a class.

Meylah: How do you use online mediums to market your classes and spread the word?
Randi: I am new at marketing my classes. So far, I have my website and a Facebook Fan Page. I am navigating sites and am glad to be speaking with Meylah. I have been posting flyers along with my online presence. I am also putting an ad in a local parent newspaper soon.

Meylah: Can you share your top two challenges in using online mediums to grow and manage your business?
Randi: First, websites for this type of activity tend to focus more on education and less on the talent and experience. The challenge is to communicate the experience of making Nature Art. In addition, I am working to expand my online presence to include a more interactive website, and this is a challenge as well.

We were so lucky to meet Randi through Facebook and discover the wonderful talent and inspiring work she is doing with children and teens.  All the work Randi creates uses found objects in nature so the next time you go outside, think about how you can integrate nature into your work!  Thank you Randi for inspiring us!