Can you give us a little profile information about yourself? (ie…pets, kids, day job?, gardening, hobbies) :

I’ve been married 42 years to my Prince Charming.  We have 3 lovely grown daughters and 7 beautiful granddaughters.  I feel quite blessed and I always claim that we are doing our part to bring the world the goddesses that it needs.

I’ve had a career in the art doll world for over 30 years now.  I was very lucky to be in the right place at the right time and stumbled into the art doll world when it was just beginning.  There were very few of us then and so with a small supply and an ever increasing demand, I was able to sell everything that

I created, as soon as I created it.  It was a heady ride and I have great memories of people lined up outside the doors of the gallery in New York City before they rushed inside to buy everything they could point to, before someone else claimed it.  I would sculpt every night and work in my studio every day, sometimes creating 7 pieces a week and still the demand didn’t stop.

Those days are no more, but they certainly were fun, and the ride lasted a long long time.

Name of Company:

I named my company “IKONS” when I first began and my work seems to have grown into that name.   I like vision that that word conjours up….for me, it means a piece of artwork that asks that someone stop and look and feel the energy of what they see.  Along with expressing whimsey, my pieces often reflect a certain amount of spirituality, whether it’s in using hand mudras, chakra colors or reiki symbols, or just that sense of reflecting a higher vibration.

Location:

We live in Northern California and on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

What is your primary art media?

I am a mixed media artist.  I dislike the word “art doll” because of the word “doll”, but it a term that I use because I don’t know what else to call what I create.  When I create, the sculpted figure form becomes the canvas upon which I layer embellishments.  Mosaics, shells, antique fabric, vintage lace, nature’s bounty.  The clays that I use are Prosculpt and apoxie sculpt.

How long have you been making your art? Is it something new for you or have you done art since childhood?:

I have fond memories of sitting with my mother, as a child, creating crafts for gifts and holidays.  She was a textile artist and created beautiful quilts.

I have tried every type of art I could find however when I tried polyform clay, I was hooked.  I was obsessed with this clay and would sculpt everyday, 7 days a week, continuously over a period of 15 years.  It was such a great challenge to keep perfecting my skills, and sculpting began to be like a meditation

practice for me.  I began sculpting when I was in my early 30′s and I’m turning 65 this year.   Believe me………time goes by very quickly!

Tell me something about your creative process…do you plan and sketch your ideas before you start or do you work spontaneously?

I like to be inspired and let that take me where it may.   Inspiration may come from nature, antique fabrics, or even books.  Occassionally I’ll sketch an idea and begin in that direction, but the piece always takes on a life of it’s own and I enjoy watching it unfold.  Often when the piece is completed I will sit it in front of me and a whole message or story will come to me.  I always believe that this process is a gift to me and I am ever grateful.

Do you have a website, Blog, or Face Book page or any other on line connection where you promote  your artwork?

I have a website and a blog.   http://wwwmarilynradzat.blogspot.com/ http://www.marilynradzat.com

Do you have formal art education or are you self taught?

I haven’t had any formal art training and I believe, for me, that has worked well.  I don’t have any idea what one is “supposed” to do, so I allow myself to experiment.  Each and every piece I have created has been a lesson for me and I think that keeps a creation fresh. My sculptures are in the fantasy realm which also allows me great freedom in design.

Tell us anything else that you would like for us to know about your art work or yourself…☺  Like where you live and have lived that inspired your work.

Hawaii is very inspiring.  It is a turquoise world and I am in my studio all day when I am there.

Because of these incredible inspiration, I offer an art retreat once a year.  Our property consists of two houses, right on the beach, and I have room to welcome 7 women to stay for the week.  Hidden areas of the island are shared, with walks along deserted beaches and we work in the studio daily.

Our guests  leave with at least two fabulous completed pieces of artwork.  It’s been a fabulous experience to be able to host wonderful women and share Hawaii and art with them.  For more information, you can go to this link:  http://www.marilynradzat.com/retreats/ or email me at  ikons@hawaii.rr.com

I also teach classes online at http://thatcreativeplace.com/html/marilyn_radzat.html I have been doing this for many years now and it’s quite fun to share my knowledge in this way.

Do you sell your work in a gallery or store? If you do please feel free to include the name and locations.

I sold my pieces through dealers and galleries for most of my career, but most of those stores have disappeared in this new economy.

My work is in a show right now in Petaluma, CA.  and I will be showing new work in the Dollery show in October.  http://www.dollery.com/mm-dollery.htm

I sell mostly from my website, but am always on the lookout for a new gallery for my pieces.    http://www.marilynradzat.com

Can you tell us about “Where you create”…do you have a studio or work space in your home?

In Hawaii my studio is a large space with sliding glass doors that look out upon a beautiful bay.  I love this space and hours fly by when I am there.

In California, my studio space is much smaller….but it is well organized with shelves lining the walls and a beautiful window overlooking the garden.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently coming up with new pieces that are much smaller in size that can be offered at a lower price point.  I started out creating work that was

3 ft. tall and sometimes even taller, however over the years my work seems to get smaller and smaller.  My current pieces are around 12″ tall.

I know you have had a lot of articles written about you, can you tell us something about  a funny  experience that you have had during one of these interviews.

I can’t say that I’ve had an funny experience.  Usually I just get sent questions and I sit down to type out the answers.   But I always love taking the time to reflect back over my career and I appreciate the opportunity that it gives to me to pause and be thankful.

Can you mention some of the people that collect your dolls?

Anne Rice, Ron Howard, Demi Moore, Richard Simmons and others that I just can’t remember.  I can’t remember numbers either.