Interview with Etamae

Etamae signed up for Second Life on January 28, 2016.

A life without art would be a sterile living space for Etamae.

She has no standards for her work, but tends to be expressive creations. These arise from things she has seen, from the creations of others who have inspired her to transform them into something else.

It is very important to her to emphasize that it is not about doing something “more or better”, but rather: creating something else, and she feels deeply connected and grateful to the creators of the works of art that have inspired her to create something new.

Even if it is difficult for her to define her own work, she describes the inner urge to create something to satisfy one’s own feelings and emotions.

Etamae has strong visions, occasionally dreams of things she would like to create and wakes up to the realization that she cannot always reproduce them. So strong is her inner urge to be artistically active and to develop further.

The creative spark of her partner Imaginary Footprint often surprises, astonish and inspire Etamea to the greatest possible extent.

Her social engagement and competence is shown by her RL activity as she has been working with adults with learning difficulties for many years and she knows that creating new forms and creative activity not only intensifies coordination and concentration, but also increase own self-esteem.

She also firmly believes, that each and every one of us can produce something creative, no matter what medium one uses.

Etamea as a very loving, friendly, open-minded and warm-hearted person.
I recognize her passion in the color and shape variations used, and with her reinterpretations of certain works of art, she not only offers the viewer new perspectives, but also creates new feelings.

I understand her art as an for her necessary and ongoing process that allows her to embark on a spiritual journey by diversity of art. Etamae manages to reach us emotionally with her work and with this wonderful motivation, she is always enthusiastic when it comes to creating something new.

Interview with Etamae

Eta,

Your life without art would be…

Etamae: Without a great deal of meaning – I cannot see a life without art – all around me would be barren. Not to be able to see others work, hear their music read or hear their words – to have no outlet for raw emotion, no color, no joyful feelings, no music, or dance, no vision, no love. It would be a barren place to live for sure and I do not think I would want a life like that.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Etamae: I think if you have eyes that see and an imagination that lets you see a little further then there is inspiration everywhere, the same applies to when you hear some truly moving music or lyrics, from the smallest thing that takes your eye to the wonderfully all encompassing world we live in – there is always something ‘just around the corner’ waiting to be found.

What is your work about?

Etamae: I guess to answer that truthfully is – I am not sure – I guess I have a need to create. Its emotion, it is what feelings are inside of me at that particular time – it’s a taste or a tingle, an angle or a view – it’s raw and it is honest – it’s simply eta – and it is difficult to define your own work.

How is the artistic process like there? Do you see an object / person / landscape first and then the idea comes up? Or is it upside down?

Etamae: I will take a photograph or many photographs and maybe there will be one or two that stand out for me full of possibilities – from that small seed something might grow – more often it fades – but sometimes, just sometimes… I also dream what I would like to create… rarely can I reproduce that though!

Your mantra?

Etamae: Live and let live I guess – I have no special mantra Violet we are all continually evolving so what may apply one day will not the next.

Currently, the best place for you in SL?

Etamae: Today, I find I am in the best possible place which is by the side of an exceptionally talented and modest man – Imaginary Footprints – his creative spark amazes and inspires me to greater heights – there are only a few people that truly leave a mark, l and for me, he is one of those people….So, we wander – bat about ideas and thoughts and generally have a great sharing.

A question that moves you right now…

Etamae: How is it in this day and age some still have the capacity to willingly wear blinkers?

Is there a work of art in your life that particularly impressed you?

Etamae: I have great admiration for Tracy Emin – her struggles and her determination to survive them inspire me – I also enjoy Piet Mondrian, Gustav Klimt and a dozen others – never one single piece at any one time – Within this virtual medium of SL there are so many exceptional creators – It never ceases to amaze me how others use their talents.

What is art for you – now completely independent of the usual definitions?

Etamae: It’s like a marriage – sometimes blissful, sometimes a struggle but always a partnership.

Was there a key experience or has the artist profession always been your dearest wish?

Etamae: I have always enjoyed creating – I worked for many years with adults who have a learning disability and being able to create in any form improves the hand/eye coordination, concentration and feeling of self-worth. Encaustic art is one of my favorite mediums as the results are instant – a great thing for someone who might have low concentration levels and if you could see the joy that creation brings then you would say ‘yes’s I understand completely!’ From those beginnings my love of trying to produce something worthwhile started.

What drives you?

Etamae: I love the whole frustrating process – from the finding of the subject matter to the last touch,, and when I have finally created something it’s rather satisfying.

Do you feel understood with your art?

Etamae: Violet, I don’t really look to be ‘understood’ as I think anything you put out in the public domain is open to each viewers perspective – and that is really very cool that someone might ‘see’ something else within my work, I really like that thought, besides that I am not sure I understand myself never mind the art I produce.

Do you think that you can make a difference with your art?

Etamae: If you mean something political – then no, not really. Some of my work I pair with musical tracks on my Flickr page and I think the music and maybe how I title it says more than my art does. On the plus side some of my work can brighten up a dull wall and maybe raise a smile or an eyebrow at times.

Do you think that everyone is an artist?

Etamae: Well Violet, that depends on what the word ‘art’ means to each individual. For me the word covers most types of creation – and as I believe that each of us can produce something creative, no matter what medium we use or however we view ourselves, then yes, I guess we are all ‘artists’ in our own way.

Do you have any role models? If yes, which?

Etamae: There are those that I admire but there are no ‘role models’ as if I tried to emulate another’s work in any way then I would lose my own uniqueness – There are times that I see something and think to myself “ouu, I would like to use that idea in some way, change it to make it my own’ but as for a dedicated role model or models – no.

What does the term art mean to you?

Etamae: For me art is something that has been produced during those creative times where you can lose yourself in music, art, poetry, dance – those times that take you a little higher – art is a spiritual thing where the creation takes over from the normal ‘daily’ ideas and tasks – even for just a few moments.

Are there any topics that you are particularly interested in implementing?

Etamae: I sort of ‘fall’ into my creative times – in SL I dabble in a few primmy/sculpty mediums – I am no mesh creator – I appreciate that I am asked to show my work within SL as I know how time consuming it is to keep an SL gallery vibrant (that’s an art in itself!)

So, to answer you, I am not sure what topic will take my fancy at any one time – my focus can flit from one idea to another, but when I do get an Idea in this virtual realm I try to make it happen.

What is your strength?

Etamae: Enthusiasm! I am very enthusiastic once and idea has seeded and I think that drives me on to do the best I can.

What was the best advice you have ever received in SL?

Etamae: I think possibly it would be to not to take yourself too seriously and keep things fun. Once the joy has left then its time to put the virtual paint brush on the shelf (for however long it takes) and stop committing to things that might stress you out.

Your next projects, exhibitions. Where your art can be seen?

12 June 2021 – 12 PM – “Variation” – The art of Etamae and Imaginary Footprints at Janus Gallery!

Etamae: Gallery – Cherised Melody – Gallery – Campbell Coast Erazor

Etamae Bio

Born and bred in the UK, Etamae lives in the North West of England and first began taking photographs within Secondlife in the summer of 2018.

With no set standard to her work eta has the tendency to knit expressive creations which are multi-layered and meaningful taken from the things she has seen and loved which have inspired her to transform them into something else – not more, nor better – simply different

Those creators like Mistero Hifeng, Theda Tammas, Cherry Manga and Meilo Minotaur (amongst others) and those that take those amazing mesh creations to provide us with installations to photograph cannot be thanked enough.

Follow Etamae and Imaginary Footprints on Flickr.

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