My Interview with Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazing, from the October 2008 issue!

"Imagination is that place, that moment before creativity, where anything is possible. It's a place where dreams form out of nothing, out of everything, and coalesce into reality, born of the artist's hand. This is the place where I live, work and play. So follow me into the path of light. Step into the realm of Faerie Moon Dream!"~JM Leotti

Fairytales and Witches~My Interview with JM Leotti~by Jennifer Toppel

As a child I was always immersed in fantasy and fairytales. I would sketch and draw and read about Fairy Princesses, Witches, and of course Prince Charming. My dreams would be of fairies, elves, and mythical and magickal beings always awakening somewhat disappointed that it was only a dream.

I have taken all that Fantasy and Magick way into my adult years and I continue to surround myself in Mythical Art, literature as well as Magickal Beings I like to call friends. As the Creator of Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine I feel very Blessed to surround myself with those Magickal Artists who never "grew up", so to speak, and have kept that Magickal Place from childhood quite alive within themselves, transferring that Magickal place into their art, sculptures and dolls they design.

With that said, I was quite lucky to catch Artist, JM Leotti and ask her to do an interview. She graciously allowed me to interview her via emails considering her very busy schedule especially since she is getting ready for her first one-woman show at Zahar's Studio in Beacon, NY.

What a beautiful spirit Ms. Leotti is and it surely can be felt through her artwork. I first befriended her on Myspace with her Enchanting Dolls and just had to know more. With the Mabon/Samhain Issue underway I just had to have her Featured in Ye Olde Witches Brew Magazine, and although I would have loved to be able to sit down face to face with Ms. Leotti over a cup of tea, it doesn't take away the magick that resides within this magickal artist.

Without further adieu, here is my interview with Fairy and Fantasy Artist, JM Leotti~

JT: Where are you from?

JM Leotti: I am from Long Island, New York.

JT: What was it like growing up?

JM Leotti: I had a wonderful childhood. My mother loves to read and read to us every night. She read all different types of stories to us, but mostly we loved fairytales—Hans Christian Andersen and Grimm were our favorites. At that time, in the late sixties, books with posed dolls were popular, and the way the publishers posed the dolls and photographed them really appealed to my imagination. They were full of texture. The Little Mermaid was one of my favorites, and I remember the sea witch’s cauldron had what looked like some kind of jelly in it that resembled a realistic brew—it was wonderful! I come from a large, extended family with step-brothers and sisters, and we played many imaginative games, but my favorite times were spent at my step-Aunt’s summer place. My parents would let us run wild there—it was a very safe community—and I would spend hours exploring the natural world. I didn’t know it then, but I think the faeries were with me from a young age. I drew many of them trailing stars and holding wands. I was haunted by faces, and drew many close-ups of beautiful girls and monsters.

JT: Were you a good student in school?

JM Leotti: (Laughs) I don’t really know how to answer that. I guess I was okay—I did win some honors for art, and I was in the top percentage of my class, but I didn’t get straight As or anything. I grew to love learning as I got older—I think I’m a better student now, but I was too distracted by boys in High School! (Laughs again.) I took some college courses later on, but never finished. I got As in those classes, but they were all English classes—a subject I’m very interested in. I love words almost as much as paint.

JT: I see that childhood fairytales and stories, especially fairies and witches have had a strong influence in your work. Can you tell me which ones specifically and why?

JM Leotti: The Snow Queen, without a doubt, was and is one of my favorite fairytales. I know Hans Andersen’s stories are filled with religious connotations, but there is also something very elemental and magical about that story. It is wildly imaginative with the broken mirror, and Kay’s heart being a lump of ice, and of course the Snow Queen herself, gathering at the window like she does—wow! Gets me excited just thinking about it! The Northern Lights even make an appearance—a natural phenomenon of great beauty and magic. I think Andersen was very close to nature, maybe especially in this story. On the dark side is The Goose Girl by the Brother’s Grimm. It’s a fascinating story of deception and cruelty and symbolic meaning. The singing drops of blood and the talking dead horse’s head awed me as a child. I was stunned at the dark beauty of it, and curious about how human beings could treat each other in such a way. The ending when the false Queen is put into a barrel lined with nails and dragged until dead kept me up many late nights as a child. But in thinking about it, it also awoke in me some kind of curiosity about the creative spirit and its many forms of expression—dark and light. I don’t know—I’m searching to put this into words because I think it’s an elusive thing!

JT: What Medium(s) do you mainly work in?

JM Leotti: Currently, acrylic and watercolor, but I’m a trained oil painter. For a few years I also did pastel portraits, but haven’t returned to pastels as I can’t stand the dust. I’d like maybe to paint in oils again, but I think I like the water-based paints as they suit my way of working quickly, in many layers. I also sculpt faeries, witches and mermaids in polymer clay.

JT: I noticed in your Art Prints of Fairies, Goddesses, and Witches, the eyes are quite expressive, almost as if you are trying to convey a message; is that true?

JM Leotti: (Laughs) If it is, I’m unaware of it! When I doodle I draw mostly eyes, and I’ve read that eyes are symbolic of spirituality and second sight. I’ve been told by psychics that I have "ability" but I need to nurture it. I don’t know how one does that, but it seems I’m always too busy painting. I guess it comes out in my pictures instead!

JT: How long have you been creating?

JM Leotti: All my life, really. It’s been my favorite thing to do since I was taught to hold a crayon. My mother always hung my drawings and bought me the best paints. I remember these fluorescent poster paints she bought for me—perfect for fairies! In the second grade my teacher told my mother I would be an artist because I put all this detail into my drawings. She was a sharp lady, and I loved her. She encouraged me to draw a lot, and I am so grateful to her.

JT: Where can the public find your work?

JM Leotti: Currently I sell my originals and prints on eBay and my web sites, www.faeriemoondream.com & www.jmleotti.com.

JT: Where have you been published?

JM Leotti: Although I’ve been an artist all my life, it’s only recently that I’ve focused on fantasy, so I don’t have many publications to my credit—yet! (Smiles) However, a few years ago some of my drawings were published in SageWoman Magazine. My polymer clay faerie sculptures have been published in American Miniaturist, Dollhouse Miniatures, and Contemporary Doll Collector. I also have a few licensors: Heaven and Earth Designs, a cross-stitch company, where you can purchase my images as cross-stitch patterns. Blue Moon Candles, where you can purchase my images on jarred candles, and The Fairy Society, where you can purchase my images on fabric blocks, which are wonderful for crafting handbags, quilts, wall-hangings, you name it.

JT: I also noticed that you are a part of The Fairy Society. Can you tell me more about that?

JM Leotti: The Fairy Society is a licensing company run by a wonderful lady named Sherri Baldy. They produce products like fabric blocks, scrapbooking pages, etc., and they try to publicize your work. Sherri is wonderfully creative and has recently opened The Fairy Society Network, where you can meet all kinds of like-minded artists and fantasy fans. I’m new to The Fairy Society—I was just accepted in January.

JT: Are there any Special Events or Shows coming around you would like to tell us about?

JM Leotti: Yes, yes, yes! I’m very excited about my first one-woman show at Zahra’s Studio in Beacon, New York! (http://www.zahrastudio.com/) It is a progressive gallery, full of varied, avant-garde artists. I will be showing my paintings and sculptures for the entire month of October, so if you live in the area, please come by! The Show Opening is October 11th 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. I will be there meeting, signing, and chatting it up with fans and friends. The address is: Zahra's Studio, 496 Main Street, Beacon, New York 12508. Phone: 845-838-6311. It’s going to be a great opening night because I’m having two special guests: Goth band "The Gentling" who will play later in the evening, and local writer, Roland Capalbo, who will read from his new novel "The Dragon & The Faerie," which features my artwork on the cover. Children are invited to come for the reading, but around 9:00 it’s going to get progressively darker! (Smiles) I also started a blog called Countdown To A One-Woman Show, where you can see my struggles and listen to me bitch about my process and progress. You can also see works in progress for the show at: Livejournal JM Leotti or go to my web site and check out the "What's New" section to get to the journal.

JT: Do you have a philosophy that you work and live by?

JM Leotti: Live your dreams. I think everyone should follow their heart, and take steps to make their inner visions come to life.

JT: What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?

JM Leotti: Be stubborn. This is a tough way to make a living, but you have to hold tight to your dreams. You might run in to people who will try to dissuade you from being an artist, but don’t listen to them. If you work hard, you will get there. Also, try to be the best you can be at your craft. This takes practice, so put in the hours. Be grateful to helping hands along the way, and take nothing for granted. Be kind to other artists and aspiring younger artists because we want art to grow. The importance of art is sometimes undervalued in our culture, and I believe it is because art is tied to emotions, which are frowned upon in favor of reason. My philosophy has always been that one feeds the other and that both are important for a balanced life and world. Imagination is the spark of everything you see around you, so don’t listen to people who tell you that your fantasies are silly or that you are a dreamer. Live your dreams!

~All Rights Reserved~All Articles are the Copyright of the Author and can not be reproduced without the Expressed Permission from the Author!~Jennifer Toppel
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FAQ

I've compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions, since, well, they are frequently asked, and this is the easiest way for me to answer a number of you at the same time! :-)

IMAGE USAGE

Q) Can anyone use your images?

A) No. Most of my images are licensed by a few companies who have permission to use them for specific purposes, for example, cross-stitch designs. In order to use my images you must write to me first for permission, and I will send you the guidelines. Not all permissions are granted due to certain licensing restrictions.

Q) If I own a painting or print of yours, can I reproduce greeting cards or stationary from it?

A) No. I own all copyrights to my artwork. In other words, you own the original piece but not the rights to reproduce it.

PERSONAL STUFF

Q) How do you pronounce your name?

A) My name is spelled Janîce, with an accent circumflex over the “i”. This makes the “i” a long “e” sound, so my name is pronounced: Janees, with an “s” sound at the end, not a “z” sound.

Q) You do both paintings and sculptures. Do you like either one better than the other?

A) I like them both equally, however, painting for me is more of an immediate gratification as I can paint faster than I sculpt. I’ve been painting for a longer time than I have been sculpting, so maybe I’m more practiced at painting!

Q) Why do you paint fantasy subjects? Did you ever do anything other than fantasy?

A) Yes. When I first started painting, I painted portraits for a living and didn’t like it very much. What I should say is that I loved painting the faces, but after that I wanted to go wild with the background instead of painting someone’s home interior. I just needed more breathing room. I also did some hideous romance covers, jobs I’d gotten through an agent. Then I left the painting world for a while to work at a publisher and do some writing. It was during this time that I sort of stumbled into Faerie. When I was seventeen I remember I received Brian Froud and Alan Lee’s book “Faeries.” I read it cover to cover throughout the school day, hiding the book in between my textbooks. But it wasn’t until quite a few years later, while I was working in New York for a children’s publisher  that I even attempted a faerie painting. However, once I started I couldn’t stop. And I actually can’t answer “why” I paint fantasy. I’m just driven to it.

Q) Do you paint or sculpt every day?

A) No. But when I’m not painting or sculpting I’m sketching, and when I’m not sketching, I’m thinking of new ideas. And when I’m not thinking of new ideas I’m reading. Not much of a social life, really!

Q) Where do you get your inspiration?

A) Everywhere! It could be a film, a trickling stream, the way sunlight makes a dewdrop glisten, a beautiful face, an odd looking face, a word like “snowfall,” the way something makes me feel (like the Weepies song “All That I Want”), a poem, a myth, a lie, a faerie whispering in my ear, really, it could be anything!

Q) Do you use models?

A) Yes, most of the time. Sometimes I make things up out of my head, but that is rare. I have friends who patiently pose for me, and my relatives have been putting up with me for years. Oddly, I use models less while sculpting. I usually make those up out of my head. I use anatomy books constantly for both sculpting and painting.

Q) Who are your heroes?

A) I have many, most are painters: JW Waterhouse is one of my favorite painters of all time; Brian Froud, Alan Lee, Kinuko Y. Craft, Frank Frazetta, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, NC Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Maxine Gadd, Amy Brown, Jessica Galbreth, Jasmine Becket-Griffith, Misty Benson, Blonde Blythe, Shakespeare, my husband and painter Paul Bachem, Norman Rockwell, Emily Dickinson, Tim Burton, my father, mother, sister and brother—It’s a very long list, but there’s a start!

Q) Since you and your husband are both artists, is there a lot of competition between you?

A) No, not really. We sometimes have arguments about whether a certain picture is good or bad—we both have our favorites of the other’s work! And of course, we have our own opinions on what is “good art.” But these things usually don’t get in the way of our discussions about art. If you ask my husband, he will tell you I’m always telling him to put more wild flowers in his paintings (he is a landscape painter). Which is true. I can’t help it, I love wild flowers! But mostly we are encouraging of the other’s work, and happy when the other does well. It’s great to live with someone who was trained the same way I was (we both went to the same teacher, although not at the same time) because we both speak the same “art language.”

Q) Where did you study art?

A) I feel art is a life-long study, but when I was about nineteen I studied with a man named Harold Ransom Stevenson and his wife Alma. They had a school in their finished basement, which was a haven for artists interested in studying realism. The school was in the town of Sea Cliff, Long Island. Harold was an apprentice to Norman Rockwell at one time, and told many great stories about him! Both my husband and I studied there, although I also studied privately with Nasa artist, Attila Hejja and for a short time and unofficially at Pratt with Jos. A Smith. I also attended some classes with portrait painter, Daniel Greene. My art training has been pieced together, as you can see. I’ve had no official training in sculpting. This I learned from books and practice. My years at the Stevenson Academy are some of my fondest memories! Both Harold Stevenson, and one of his students, Attila Hejja, are now deceased. Attila was both a mentor and friend, and Harold a mentor and father figure, and I miss them both terribly!