Interview with Gitana, the Creative Diva [gypsiwoman]

How and why did you begin to be creative?

Being creative is not something I have ever had to think about...I just am and always have been. I am the child of two creative people. My mother, her mother, and all the women of that generation were all versed in various forms of needlework: sewing, crocheting, embroidery, etc. My father was an aspiring photographer and performer. Together they were champion mambo dancers on the local nightclub circuit. This is the environment in which I grew up. As a child, I never thought of being creative as anything particularly special. It was just a way of life.

Your mind is your work tool. How do you take care of it?

I take care of my mind by feeding and exercising it as much as I can. Wherever I go I look at colors, shapes, textures, designs, sounds, movement. In the subway, in people's clothing, in the architecture, on packaging, in the works of other artists, I take in everything I see, feel and touch as nourishment for my mind. Then I practice what I've seen, adding my own interpretation, finding what works for me and how I can make it my own, discovering how many differnt things I can apply my new-found knowledge to. Sometimes my mind works so much I have trouble falling asleep for all the ideas running around in my head.

How do you avoid repeating yourself, or falling into formula? How do you stay fresh?

I switch my focus. For example, I am creative in many different disciplines: paper crafts, needle crafts, dance, gardening, etc. I go from one discipline to the other as the mood strikes me. Even when I choose to stay within the same discipline, I will switch my focus. For example, if I am creating greeting cards with an emphasis on layered techniques for some time, I may decide to switch to a new technique or a change to a new medium or a different genre, perhaps Asian themes. Each time I switch my focus, it spurs me on to research in a new direction and try something different. In that way I learn and grow.

Do you have a ritual like retiring to a lonely place from time to time to cleanse your mind?

My crafting and gardening ARE my rituals. They are like meditation for me. When I am engaged in these activities, it frees my mind from the issues of daily living and allows me to become introspective. I have experienced the most profound insights when I'm in my garden up to my eyebrows in earthworms or alone in my creative space painstakingly cutting out an ornate butterfly.

Who have your teachers been?

First and foremost, my teachers have been my parents, grandparents and aunts. They were my first and most influential teachers. Every creative teacher I have had along the way has in some fashion helped shape the artist I am today. Nowadays my teachers are my fellow artists who are generous enough to share their talents and techniques with the rest of us.

When you accept a job, how much value do you place on each of the following? Money, creative liberty, visibility, and to work with the best.

I have never been a money-driven individual. Creative liberty and the opportunity to work with others who are masters in their own right is much more important to me (but a little money never hurts). :)

"To give birth to ideas." Is this only an expression, or are there really parallels between giving birth and creativity?

Is not creating a work of art like the raising of a child? The fruits of the creative process are indeed like one's children. An artist creates a work of art from a concept, an idea formed with bits and pieces of various materials. A creative piece grows and takes shape as the artist manipulates the media, essentially breathing life and beauty into what was once inanimate. Afterwards the artist can sit back and admire his/her creation with pride and wonder, guarding it jealously for a while before letting it go. I have created art and I have raised children. For me there is only one difference... a work of art isn't likely to borrow any money or wreck my car.

Does spirituality contribute to your creativity?

Spirituality and creativity, in my own experience, are yin and yang. Together they create a balance. One can not exist without the other.

It is possible to fall in love with a bad idea simply because it is yours. How do you avoid this?

It is important to have people you can trust to act as your sounding boards. You have to trust that they will tell you the truth when you ask for their opinion, even if the truth is not something you want to hear. When you are fortunate enough to have such people in your inner circle, you can avoid making the mistake of loving a bad idea if you are wise enough and trust them enough to take their counsel.

Must someone be the leader or boss in order for a creative team to function well?

I don't think that a creative team necessarily needs to have a "leader" or "boss" to function well. If the team is in synch, and each member trusts every other member to do his or her part well, what is required then is for all parties to have the same vision and the same goal. My experience is that this idyllic state is difficult but not impossible to achieve. It is a process that takes time, something that is in short supply. In such cases a team leader may be required to keep everyone focused and on task.

The armchair psychologist: Is creativity an act of rebellion for you?

My creativity is an act of self-expression, of celebration. I would rebel if I were not allowed to be creative.

Do you work well under pressure?

I tend to work well under self-imposed pressure and deadlines. I DO NOT work well when I have someone breathing down my neck.

What do you feel when, after two or three years, you see an idea of yours again?

It depends on the circumstances. Many times I've seen my work as if I'm seeing it for the first time and I don't even recognize it as mine at first. If I am attracted to it and I like it, if it makes me smile and perhaps I'm even impressed by it, then I know I have done a good job. If I see work that strikes a dissonant chord in me, then I know I've done something wrong.

I once created a Greco-Roman stage set as an assignment for a theater stage craft class at Stonybrook University. The instructor liked it so much he asked if I would mind having it placed on display as an example of student work. I agreed, then for personal reasons I had to leave the school suddenly and move out of the area before the next semester began. I never saw that piece again. 15 years later I was watching an awards program on television and the hair on my arms stood up. There on the stage was my Greco-Roman set, complete with columns, just as I had designed it for school. I was livid.

Ideas can come simultaneously to different people in different places with no connection to one another. How do you explain this phenomenon?

Three words: The Collective Consciousness. 'nuff said.

Can you provide a link to a web site or blog where we can learn more about you?

Go to my personal blog: www.creative-diva.blogspot.com. From there you will find links to my other blogs and my online photobucket. The words and the pictures should tell you a lot about me.

Are meditation and prayer cultural variants of the same thing?

I don't think so. I believe meditation to be a journey into the inner self, one that can open the mind to insights not possible in the conscious mind. A prayer is, in my opinion, a request for something: Please help me pass this test, please let that medical screening turn up negative, please take care of my children when I can't be with them. A prayer does not seek to look inwards. The exception to this would be ritual prayers such as those said with prayer beads, rosarie, etc. Those prayers are repetitious and said by rote. This repetition can have the same effect as chanting, creating an environment wherein a supplicant can enter a meditative state.

Is faith necessary for spirituality to work?

No. The only faith you need is faith in yourself.

Is it necessary to have a teacher to find the way?

Having a teacher definitely helps but finding the way is ultimately a solo journey.

Is it necessary to have a purpose to find meaning in life?

I think once you understand the meaning in life, your purpose becomes clear.

Is it wise to believe in things that do not exist if it helps you to be happy?

Who is to say what does or does not exist?

How do you distinguish between spirituality and religion?

I believe spirituality is a belief in the principles and unseen forces that govern the universe and the knowledge of our own place within that universe. Religion is a codification of these principles into a rigid practice, thereby negating the individual's unique place in the universe and relegating him to a mere follower of a regime.

Do you believe in the law of attraction: that we attract what we think about?

I believe that the universe and everything in it operates on various frequencies, not unlike a radio. You need to "tune in" to the right frequency to reach the channel you want. When your frequency is in balance, when things in your life are working as they should, you will find that circumstances around you tend to favor your intentions. If your frequency is out of alignment, like when you're having a bad day, you'll find obstacles rising up before you. Ever have one of those days where everything goes wrong? The dog chews up your proposal, your best suit has a stain in it, your car won't start, you've missed the last train and your babysitter called in sick. That's being out of alignment. Bad vibes attract more bad vibes.

Ever have one of those days where everything goes right? You find money in your pants pocket, the kids get ready for school without a reminder, you get a seat on the train and get to work early to find your boss is out for the day. That's being in balance. Good vibes seem to attract more of the same.

What is your short list of healthy habits?

Diet
Exercise
Creativity
Good Sex and lots of it.

'nuff said.

In what ways has your spiritual practice affected your creativity?

My creativity IS my spiritual practice.

What is your blog address? What subjects do you deal with?

I have three blogs. My personal blog is: www.creative-diva.blogspot.com. Here I talk about the experiences I have on a daily basis and the insights I have gained by trying to live a more spiritually centered life.

My artist blog is: www.gitana-thecreativediva.blogspot.com. Here I showcase some of my creative work, the techniques used to create it and the internal process that I go through as I create.

My garden blog is: www.natures-conversation.blogspot.com. Here I share the insights I gain through working in my garden. Plants, like other inhabitants of the natural world, are tuned in to the vibrations of the universe. These vibrations are echoed in the things that unfold in my garden. I have learned to "read" the signals my garden sends me.

What was it that made you create your blog? On what date did you start it?

I began my personal blog in March 2007. A friend of mine had begun a blog on Blogspot.com and mentioned it to me. After some trepidation, I decided to start jotting down my thoughts. It continued from there in a somewhat random fashion. Now I have three blogs.

What blogging system have you adopted and why?

I use Blogspot.com. It was the first one I tried and I have no reason at this time to want to switch. It serves my purpose.

How many visits a day do you get? What type of comments do you receive?

I have three different blogs: my personal blog, my artist blog and my garden blog. I rarely get comments on my personal or garden blogs. My artist blog, however, gets a lot of comments. I belong to several online craft-related groups and have promoted my blog through those venues. Other papercraft artists check my blog for tutorials and ideas and many of them leave comments. I don't know how many hits I get. I suppose I should do something to find that out.

How has 'having a blog' contributed to your life?

Having a blog has made me more aware of what I do and how I do it. If I think I have had an experience that someone else may enjoy reading or benefit from in some way, I blog about it. In the long run, I like to think that I am preserving a little bit of myself for posterity.

How often do you post? Does regular posting of your blog require a lot of effort on your part?

I post whenever the mood strikes me. That could be every other day or every other week. Because I have three blogs, I have to cycle around all of them so that can be somewhat time consuming but I don't do it so frequently that it is burdensome.

Does blogging bring in income for you? Can one make a living from posting?

I make no income from blogging and have no idea if one can make a living this way. I suppose it is possible.

How do you promote your blog?

I promote my blogs in a number of ways. I have links to my blog at the bottom of my emails. I also have my blog addresses on my business cards and I hand them out to interested parties. If I post something that I think is of particular interest to some people, I will send a link to them directly. My artist blog is also promoted on the craft groups I belong to. In addition, I have created a couple of tutorials that I have linked to a crafter's site and have received many visits from that targeted audience.

Are there any blogs you follow daily or regularly?

Yes, I do follow a few blogs, mostly those by other crafters. I also follow a friend of mine because I think he is the most talented writer. Even if I didn't know him personally I would enjoy his posts because his style is so congenial and refreshing.

How do you see your blog evolving in the future?

In the future I see my blog as a vehicle to promote sales of my handmade cards and craft supplies. I still have a lot of work ahead of me but I'm slowly working in that direction.

What advice would you give to someone who wishes to begin a blog?

A blog should be an enjoyable extension of you. Don't stress it or place unreasonable expectations on yourself. Be true to yourself. Just take it easy, go with the flow and in time you will find your rhythm. When you get to that point, the rest will take care of itself.

What hobbies have you got?

I'm into dancing, gardening, papercrafting, sewing, crocheting, needlework, digital art, jigsaw puzzles, word games. As if that's not enough, I actually like housework. I am truly a maladjusted person.

A simple pleasure that for you is quite big or important.

A simple pleasure for me is bathing. Not showering, bathing. Once in a while I like to wallow in a hot tub of scented and oiled water with candles and incense burning, light music playing and an open bottle of wine at my disposal. It's important because I don't get to indulge in this luxury very often but when I do, my family respects my privacy and leaves me alone during this time.

Oh yes, I forgot. Chocolate. Must have chocolate with that wine. Mmmmmm.

How do you respond to telemarketing calls?

It is 5 pm on a typical Sunday: what are you doing?

In the cool weather I'm doing laundry and on my computer. In the warm weather I'm in the garden.

Of what are you an addict?

I am addicted to sugar and carbohydrates. They are both poison but I love them so.

What toy gave you the best moments of your childhood?

I had a small electric organ that I kept for many many years. I taught myself how to play and it gave me immense pleasure.

What was your favourite primary/secondary school teacher like?

My favorite school teacher in elementary school (PS 249K) was Mrs. Bandel. She was the substitute who took over for my regular teacher when she left for medical reasons. Mrs. B was a sweetheart whom I dearly loved, very much unlike the teacher she replaced.

My favorite and probably most important teacher in middle school (Walt Whitman JHS 246K) was Ms. Roberta Scharf. She was my English teacher for two years. Every year she divided the class into groups and assigned each a scene from a play that we had to memorize and act out at year's end. She also took us on trips to see Shakespeare. By the end of the second year I was hooked on acting and went on to become a performer.

How did you meet your current boy/girlfriend?

I met my current husband when I worked for a general contracting firm and he worked for one of the company's subcontractors. He and his boss came to argue over some unpaid invoices. As he walked down the hall to the office of the company president, I couldn't help but admire the way he filled out a pair of pants. The rest, as they say, is history.

What was your first vehicle?

My first vehicle was a pedal operated toy car I had when I was about five years old. I would get in and pedal away. It was the precursor to the Big Wheel tricycle but it had a lot more class.

Please list something you have not yet done, but that you would definitely like to do someday.

I have always wanted to do voiceover work.

In your lifetime, what is the best news you have ever seen printed?

Bush is out, Obama is in

To which other place in the world would you move without hesitation?

What do you imagine yourself doing for your retirement?

I imagine myself doing exactly what I'm doing now, only more of it and getting paid for it.

If you were to return reincarnated, which real-life person would you like to be?

If I had a choice, I would like to come back as myself with an hourglass figure.

Does brand name influence your buying habits?

Not really. I will compare different brands to see which performs better. Once I have made a decision on a brand, then it has an influence on me.

Do you think tipping is a good custom?

Yes. A tip is a gratuity, a way of thanking your server. As long as tipping is not mandatory, I believe it is a good custom.

Do you boycott brands if you learn they employ children in third-world countries or harm the environment?

Do you defend animal experimentation for the development of medicine that can save human lives?

What is your opinion of the rise in popularity of plastic surgery and implants?

For corrective purposes, great. For cosmetic purposes, no way.

Places in the world that you have visited recently.

I recently visited Mexico just at the time when the swine flu epidemic was beginning to make national news. My family and I were unscathed but upon our return we were deluged by well-meaning friends and family calling us to inquire about our health.

What do you use: Mac or PC and why?

I use a PC because it is more ubiquitous. There are more people who know the PC than the Mac so if I run into a problem, I'll have an easier time finding someone who will know how to fix it.

What is to come after consumist society?

I would like to think that a self-sufficient society will emerge but I fear that capitalist interests would prefer that the populace remain dependent and easily manipulated.

Do you believe there is excessive sex and violence in the media?

There is far too much sex and violence in the media. Children who are fed a steady diet of sex and violence become indifferent to their significance. It becomes okay to engage in these activities in a casual manner because they are being exposed to it through a passive medium. They are more likely to engage in these activities at an earlier age. These children will eventually have children of their own and the cycle will continue.

What were your favourite subjects when you were in primary/secondary school?

My favorite subjects: English, science, art, music, dance. Ironically, I hated math yet, as it turns out, I am very adept at it and am able to perform fractional and decimal conversions in my head.

Has there been a personal-growth book that has transformed your life?

Yes. The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz.

Piracy continues to grow: What will happen to the music and film industries and culture in general?

I'm not sure what will happen to the entertainment industries as a result of piracy but I would like to think that it would level the playing field a bit. I think entertainers make an obscene amount of money (I think the same of sports figures as well) and I would much prefer it if there were not such a great divide between the haves and the have-nots. (Hmmm, sounds a little socialist perhaps.)

What do you have in your wallet right now?

One bank credit card, one debit card, several store credit cards, several forms of ID, lots of receipts but not a lot of money.

How do you kill time?

I kill time by playing on the internet or looking over catalogs and marking items I'd like to have.

In which city do you live? What are your favourite and least favourite things about it?

I live in Brooklyn, New York. My favorite thing about Brooklyn is it's diverse neighborhoods. My least favorite thing about Brooklyn is the way politicians are seeking to gentrify Brooklyn for the benefit of businesses and the wealthy, destroying the very neighborhoods that give it its character.

Where have you thought of going for your next holiday?

I'd like to go back to Puerto Rico.

Are you pro-choice or pro-life?

Are you in favor of or against the death penalty?

In favor. If he's a cancer in society, excise him.

Should homosexual couples have the same right to adopt as heterosexual couples?

Absolutely! Why shouldn't gay couples have the right to be as miserable as heterosexual couples?

If the ticket price for a football match is twice the regular price for those 12 years of age or older, and your child turned twelve yesterday, what age would you say your child is?

No brainer. I'd say my kid is 11.

If you were a millionaire, what would be your charitable work?

I have always wanted to create an institution that would offer cultural and educational opportunities for people of all ages. It would have a large garden so people could learn, enjoy and appreciate the benefits of gardening. It would have a studio/performance space so local talent would have a forum to express themselves in music, dance, poetry and song. It would have computers to teach technological literacy. A large art and craft area is a must, offering diverse art forms.

Please list three important words for the world today.

Balance, patience, truth.

What will your epitaph be?

You may not have always loved me, you may have sometimes hated me, but you have to admit I was never boring.

Ask me a question, make a comment, or request my opinion on something:

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