Q&A: the final round...

Q: What was your favorite children's book?
A: Well, I can think of a few....



wow... even just thinking about these books makes me feel so warm inside.
happy thoughts.

Q: i tend to notice people's clothing... and I love your funky style. Do you have any favorite designers? Or, in the spirit of every great fashion mag, do you have any pics/ suggestions for **Elsie's Spring/ Summer Must-Haves**?
A: ooooooh. i like this one. Betsey Johnson! sigh.... she makes *so* many pretty things.

and her home is SO pink and lovely...

hmmmm... Spring *must haves*. I don't know if anyone else would even like this stuff, but this is what I am really into at the moment...

vintage sunglasses... i got these from etsy.

the whole nautical thing...

(these are also from etsy.)

denim dresses... especially thrift store ones....

 

she has the grrrr*eatest style... adorable!

cowboy boots...

unusually big hair...

shorts

(i love this girl's wardrobe diary. )

Q: Hi Elsie,Do you have any advice for a 14 year old girl who has a passion for drawing and goes everywhere with her sketchbook? She hopes to make art her career some day.
A: This is so wonderful!
I think the best thing you can do (at any age) is to give yourself *full* freedom to express new ideas and explore different styles and techniques as much as possible. Over the years I have gone through so many stages with my art... there were years of drawing comics, making my own clothes, redecorating my bedroom with a tent and clouds, writing stories, poetry, photography, building catholic inspired shrines, art journals ect..... each stage has proved to be helpful to my growth in some way. I think it is really important to nurture and develop your creative mind through whatever form you currently desire to. there should be freedom to change, grow and make lots of mistakes.

The most important piece of advice I would give to anyone hoping to make a career in art is that it takes an extreme amount of hard work and determination. You absolutely have to believe in what you do. You have to be patient. You have to work long hours. You have to continually find ways to stay fresh and inspired. It's tricky when what you love becomes your career... it's a dream, but it can also be very dangerous. I've found that it really helps me to have lots and lots of side projects going on that are "just for fun", these help me to stay inspired, develop new skills and protect my creative spirit.

Q: do you have any tattoos?
A: Yes :)

Q: Do you still like Gwen Stefani?
A:

of course. how could i not?

Q: Do you have a steady boyfriend?

A: mhmmmm...

Q: You all looked so immaculate in the Red Velvet photoshoot, my question is; do you do your own hair and make-up? What products do you like to use?
A: Well, that was sweet! Here is the "secret weapon" for ridiculous hair...

Q: Do you know any good diaper bags?

A: i'm not a mom yet, but in my humble opinion, Oilily makes the cutest diaper bags everrrr!

Q: i'm so glad you decided to do another one of these...i have been dying to ask you about one picture i saw once. i think it used to be on your fridge. the one freeze motion of the girl jumping over the haystack. i want it, i need it.

A: That photo was taken by my lovely friend, Candice.

Q: What kind of paint are you using  (on skin) in your photographs?

A: Acrylic paint... it's SO much fun!

Q: Are you a Christian?
A: Yes, I am. The truth is that I have more questions than answers and I have a *lot* to learn... that's all I can say about that.

Q: If you could steal a celebrity's wardrobe, who's would it be?
A:Hmmm. I think Maggie Gyllenhaal has really cute style...

(or maybe i just really want that dress...it's so pretty!)

Ok. I don't have a good answer for that question.

Last one....
Q: this is more of a fun challenge than a question:
go "dress up" (clothes, hair, make-up . . . the works) as if you are from the 1940's or 50's (you choose) and then take some pics.
(and of course, share them! :)

A: Who could resist?

If i didn't get to your question, I am sorry... maybe next time? I better get some sleep because tomorrow is ArtsFest! Loveloveand loooove. elsie

Comments

[Brynn]

Oh my stars...Mr. Bell's Fixit Shop was my absolute favorite books when I was little!!

[Angela Christenson]

I loved this post!!!
Got to be glued is definately some pretty good stuff.
Loved the last ? , and your dress up photoshoot was awesome.

Thanks Elsie!!

[Lauren Pareigat]

you're not going to elaborate on your tattoo(s)??
some very fun stuff you shared. thanks!

[Lauren Pareigat]

you're not going to elaborate on your tattoo(s)?? aww..
what a lot of fun stuff you shared. thanks!

[Charin Reed]

Your answers are so inspiring!! :) Love it :)
Have a great Sunday!

[Alexa]

Elsie, thanks *so* much for sharing! Your blog is always the first i check for updates. You are such an inspiration! :)

[lisaannette]

Thanks for sharing Elsie. Great stuff! :)

[Sandra]

Have you tried Betsey Johnson's perfume. Its my fave! I got it at Sephora!!!

[Lisa;P]

Thanks for sharing, Elsie.
You should see the big smile on my daughters face, that you answered my question. We both think you are awesome!!!

[Nancy]

thank you thank you thank you! That was so much fun and you are so sweet to answer our questions!

[Sarah M]

BEST POST EVER!! I am so inspired to create so many things just lookin' at all that eye candy! (love the 40's photos)!!!!

[Dianna deForest]

dayam- you are awesome! I LOVE betsey johnson!!! :) That was a fun post- you should do it often :) hehe

[sofia]

Sooo much fun to read these q and a posts. Thank you for the inspiration, your blog is the best and you are adorable!

[Frankie Kins]

I loved this post. But I must say, I did click on "Listen to my Boyfriend's Music" and I should tell you that for an old lady (me--I'm 54) I really liked it. His music is most awesomely beautiful. Hope that makes sense.

Have a great day, Elsie!

[Annie]

Mr. Bells Fixit Shop was also one of my favorites. I can't believe everyone else loved it too. How funny!

[margot]

OMG MR. BELL'S FIXIT SHOP IS THE BOOK THAT MADE ME WANT TO BECOME A CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITER/ILLUSTRATOR! i totally adore that book! thanks for sharing- i love your blog!

[Debbie]

Thanks so much this was a lot of fun! And thanks for answering my question...What was your favorite children's book. I read a LOT to my two year old son Zade and I am always on the look out for fun books. I have been asking this question of alot of people lately and the answers are always fun and inspiring!
Thanks for all of the wonderful inspiration....books and everything else.

[Justyna Palasiewicz]

Elsie -

I don't normally post comments on people's blogs for two reasons. 1) I feel like I'm wasting their time a little (I have issues with that or something) and 2) I feel like I won't get a response and therefore a slight dejected moment occurs and then it's gone.

This was different.

I initially started to read because I saw the Alice in Wonderland cover and I was intrigued. Then I saw how much we have in common.

I, too, love, love big hair! The bigger, the better. Freshman year of college I was known for winged liner, red lipstick, and some biiiig hair. I'm sure people could spot me a mile away. But that product is something I have to look into...

Our style is similar in terms of vintage, feminine, and eclectic. There's an art to mixing things that supposedly do not go together and effortlessly pulling it off with oodles of confidence! Betsey Johnson, in particular, is someone I adore and was thrilled to find you mentioned her! I almost wore her to my wedding a couple of weeks ago. Alas, it was a tad too expensive. This is the dress that got away:
http://www.betseyjohnson.com/Betseyville_Rose_Stretch_Poplin_Strapless_Dress/pd/c/1101/np/1101/p/4391.html

Lovely, isn't it? {sigh}

Anywho, I just wanted to say that it's nice to relate to you, in addition to admiring your artistic talent. Keep it rockin', Elsie!!!

xxx
Justyna

[Elsie Flannigan]

Justyna,that dress is adorable! i love it! *sigh*...

[celine]

hey dear!!!
I've got that Oilily bag!!! I saw on Ebay once and couldn't resist buying it! :D and I've got another Oilily Diaper bag (I guess you saw that one at Cha), that i LOVE! Oilily is the BEST!

check this : http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreenfrogstudio/2453604343/

hugs!