Teesha Moore is a mixed-media artist, creating visual journals, and a true entrepreneur. She created Zettiology, a line of rubber stamps and collage sheets featuring her work. In 2000 she hosted the first Artfest as we know it today, in Port Townsend, Washington. From that success, she has also organized Fiberfest and Journalfest, now in its third year.
Q: What are you working on right now?
A: My latest journal, some big paintings, repainting my living room. Haven’t decided on a wall color yet. It’s been a mottled deep yellow on top and a mottled deep red on the bottom for 26 years, and it’s time to change. Been thinking about a light turquoise blue and a limey olive green…
Q: Why do you make art?
A: I have to. It’s in my blood…it is my life-force. It’s my connection to my inner being.
Q: What’s your current favorite, can’t-live-without-it material?
A: My Sharpie poster paint extra fine white pen.
Q: What is your least favorite technique that you still use anyway?
A: Glue. I hate it. It’s messy, but it’s a necessary evil sometimes. Oh…that is a material…not a technique. Least favorite technique is bookbinding my journals. But I like a certain type of paper so I have to make them myself.
Q: What is on your workspace right?
A: ipod speakers, bag of pens, journal, scissors, paint, papers, glass of water, cookbook, camera, a crystal with tourmaline in it, Mac laptop, etc.
Q: What do you listen to when you create?
A: Downbeat Liquid cd, Star Circus cd, One Eskimo band, Blue Stone, Asura, magic sound fabric, mauxuam (LOVE), cosmik chill, Solar Fields, Zero One, and a gazillion other unknown groups. Sometimes I am in a Josh Groban mood. He can make the world right again. I think music is my biggest inspiration for journaling. It just sends me.
Q: With whom would you love to spend one day making art?
A: Robert Downey Jr. or Guy Laliberte (the creator of cirque de soleil). Both of them I feel are ENORMOUSLY creative and I’d love to pick their brains while making art.
Q: What’s the best book you’ve read lately?
A: Actually I read way more cookbooks than art books. Current fave is Fast, Fresh & Green by Susie Middleton and Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi. Two other recent books I’m in the middle of are Made & Sold by FL@33, and Drawing The Light from Within (Keys to awaken your creative power) by Judith Cornell.
Q: What’s the most inspiring trip you’ve ever taken or adventure you’ve ever had?
A: It would have to be England when we were just married (29 years ago). I was IN LOVE with the people, culture, scenery, way of life, everything.
Q: What’s the last thing you cooked?
A: A piece of salmon is cooking right now as I write this. Made a kale salad earlier.
Q: If you could surround yourself with only one color, what would it be?
A: Probably pink (oddly I am too scared to use it though in my rooms).
Q: Do you have a talisman/power garment/magical thing you wear?
A: I wear an Indonesian silver bracelet all the time. No magic in it (I don’t think). It’s just a single chain but I never take it off.
Q: What’s your favorite place in all the world?
A: Mexico (without question)
Q: What one thing do you want to do that you haven’t done yet?
A: I’m a do-er…so I had to think a LONG time on this question. It would be to build some tree houses in our woods. My husband and I have always wanted to have some connecting tree houses that you sleep in one and create in another and then have other artists over to stay there. It will happen someday.
Q: What’s the best day you’ve ever had?
A: I will never forget the first Artfest up at the fort. I got up on stage at the opening meeting and I got a (long) standing ovation before I even opened my mouth.
Q: What’s today’s Word to Live By?
A: Be grateful
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
A: Food. I am a total foodie and nothing makes me happier than to eat really amazing food.
Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
A: It would be to put a love bubble around people. Whenever I see 2 people fighting, I secretly try to envision them in a big bubble of love so they will relax and not be so mad. I use all my energy to send love to them. I don’t know if it works or not. I usually don’t stick around to find out. But if I could do that and KNOW it was really working…that would be a cool superpower.
Q: What is your earliest memory?
A: My earliest memory is tough, as I don’t seem to have any recall of being little. I did have a spot in the highest tree in the neighborhood that was my little “home.” I decorated it and kept things up there like some crayons and a pad of paper and little trinkets. No one ever knew about it and if they climbed trees, no one ever climbed as high as I did. I’d spend hours up there.
Q: What’s your one favorite material thing?
A: My car. It is a Volkswagen Eos hard top convertible sport scar. The top comes down in 28 seconds without ever getting out of the car. I can’t tell you how exhilarating it is to drive with the wind flowing around your head. I get my best ideas in my car (driving is a right brained activity). BTW, I WAS going to be a racecar driver but my parents squashed that dream quickly. I still enjoy speed.
Q: What is your best advice for artists?
A: Try to step aside when you are creating and let the “creative force” flow through you and out onto the paper. Let it do what it wants to do without stepping in and trying to control it. If you can truly do this, you will be amazed at what you just created. And you will fall in love with the process of creativity!
Follow Teesha Moore on her website and her blog.
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