Interview with Angela Kuncaitis [homemakerang] on Whohub

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How and why did you begin to be creative?

I believe I began to be creative at a very young age. I became creative to express my individuality and have an outlet to deal with life's stressors... www.eclecticculturefarm.blogspot.com

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

I find when I am not creative and lack energy for the fun of life, I am not doing enough creative things. So, with that being said, to rejuvenate and enjoy life I pray more and I CREATE more... "I create; therefore I am" ~Angela Kuncaitis 2009~ www.eclecticculturefarm.blogspot.com

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

I believe my creativity stays "fresh" by always looking for the creativity and individuality in nature, life, situations and people. I try not to fall into a formula but I always follow "my" formula to be true to myself and not try to copy someone else's creativity. I want to be me.

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

My ritual for cleansing my mind begins with writing and then reading. I feel refreshed then ultimately...

What cultural sources do you draw from the most?

My cultural sources I draw from are from Great Britain in my decorating style. Although, I am not sure if this style is shining through my decor once it passes "through me" into the home. I find much inspiration from European sources. I one day will travel to the country side of England, some day when the children are grown. "When I am old I will NOT wear purple but I WILL travel overseas..." ~Angela Kuncaitis 2009~

Who have your teachers been?

I would say that by emulating Tasha Tudor, Gwen Frostic, Charlotte Mason, Carla Emerly, (The Encyclopedia of Country Living) The Nearings (The Good Life) and reading my Bible, that I have been taught lifelong lessons that I hope to accomplish while I am on this Earth.

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.

When we decided to move to the farm to pursue our passions, we first chose this life style most importantly for creative liberty, secondly for visibility and LASTLY for money.

Have you ever had a job that was so stimulating that you could not get your mind off of it?

I find the job (I would never consider it true "work") of farming SO stimulating and enjoying that even as I write this, I am thinking of ways to create life for the farm. The motto I have coined around our home is "Believe in the farm". I believe when you always stay true to who you are, you ultimately will be successful somewhere. It is not important for me to be successful in the world's eyes, only to be successful in God's eyes... If I am truly successful that will mean I am happy, even if the world's definition of my success is small.

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

I am sure there are parallels between giving birth and creativity. I did not become who I am today until AFTER the birth of all of these wonderful children I have, all 6 of them! I am who I am creatively I believe because I am a mother!

Does spirituality contribute to your creativity?

Spirituality absolutely contributes to my creativity. When I am relying on God the most, when He is speaking to me directly, that is when I am most creative and when I am happiest!

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

I believe it is very possible to "fall in love" with a bad idea simply because it is mine. I try to avoid this at all costs by consulting God in prayer. Sadly, I have made many mistakes by choosing some of my ideas. Happily, I have worked through these mistakes and have learned MANY valuable lessons.

Declaration: With what person or business would you like to work?

I dream of working with a successful farmer(es) who runs a sustainable farm (not a commercialized farm) and has become something from nothing... I would love to learn the simple trade of building as well.

What criteria do you use when selecting someone to be a part of your creative team?

When I am selecting someone for my "creative team" that means I am actually selecting someone as a friend. The criteria I would use would be that they must "live out of the box", be willing to take risks, enjoy life to its fullest and also be a creative being. I seem to attract eccentric types of creative people. I enjoying meeting people from ALL walks of creative life.

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

I would say that creativity is an act of rebellion for me in only ONE instance. While attending college and dropping out to pursue my passion for motherhood a woman prof told me I would never amount to anything in life without a "paper degree" career. It was then I knew I could "make it" surving as a creative woman in a working world enjoying motherhood and family first and then Entrepreneurship lastly. God has blessed me abundantly, not in monetary means but by my passion for life, family, farming and HIM!

Do you work well under pressure?

I believe I actually do create best under pressure. I KNOW that I do not deal well working under pressure... Just ask my family :) !

What city in the world currently attracts you due to its creative environment?

I believe in most everything local, food, shopping, camaraderie and worship. So, with that being said I will say that I have been very impressed as of late with Grand Rapids, Michigan and the new Art Prize (www.artprize.org) event that was just hosted for the first time in 2009! "The creative environment of Grand Rapids is finally coming together and taking off fast I believe and the success of Art Prize proved it!" ~Angela Kuncaitis 2009~

How is an idea sold?

An idea is sold by believing in it at all costs and by having an idea different and better than EVERYONE else's idea!

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

When I see an idea of mine emerge later in life that I never jumped on and it is very successful but it is now someone else's I think once again that I should have just believed in my idea and ran with it then. I have learned this that hard way. I know now to BELIEVE in my creativity even if it may seem odd to some, others will find it to be of a creative genius possibly!

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

I have no idea why ideas come simultaneously to different people in different places with no connection to one another but I KNOW "there is nothing new under the sun"

You are as good as your last idea. Wouldn't you like to have a more secure type of work?

I have a new idea every few days or less, so I have a lot of work ahead of me and not enough time to accomplish each and every idea in this lifetime! HOW EXCITING to have a reason to get up each and every day!

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