Artist Interviews: Marilyn Radzat

Describe one thing that you remember making as a child that was magical to you …

I don't remember one thing that I made as a child, but I do remember a magical gift that, when I look back over my life, had a huge influence on my life as an artist. 

When I was around 12 years old, my father brought to me a 3 ft. tall fully costumed Rabbit.   This wonderful rabbit was dressed in a crinoline skirt and held a parasol.  It was made of Styrofoam and was flocked in white.  It was charming, magical and so very enchanting!   I have created Rabbits from the very beginning of my art career, however I didn't really remember this wonderful rabbit gift until just a few years ago.  Obviously, I have followed that magical rabbit down a wonderful path!

Knowing that many things and people influence us in our art and life, who is one person that made an impact on you in your artistic life?

I have only taken one class, in my career, and that was from a woman in Berkeley, California.  Her name was Cassandra Light and she taught a year long class where we sculpted in porcelain clay, sewed fabric bodies and created life size figures. 

 I learned from her about the importance of quality in one's work and the impact of emotion.  I learned this not so much from what she said, but from the quality of her own work. 

 Did you have a big turning point at some point in your artistic career?

I think a big turning point in my art was when we moved to Hawaii.  Moving to Hawaii took me away from what previously fed me artistically, which was antique stores where I could be inspired by, and purchase antique fabrics and trims, and living in the forests of Northern California. For the first 15 years of my career,  my works were forest inspired creatures, always draped heavily in fabrics. I sculpted only heads, hands and feet and the body was fabric.  The figure was only the canvas upon which I hung what I collected...velvets, lace, antique trim and found objects.   In Hawaii, the weather was hot and humid, thus working with velvets did not make sense. 

In other words, the world around me, from which I gathered inspiration, completely changed. In Hawaii I developed my sculpting abilities as I began to sculpt full body figures, and I costumed in sea glass that I found on our beach. In doing
this, I found my own distinct and unique style. This is a very important step in an artist's life. The use of sea glass has now broadened to Italian glass mosaics, and changed my work from just figure form to the use of gourds as an inspiration of design.

Where (physical place) do you feel your best and the most "you"? Describe that place briefly please.

In an antique store that is filled with the history of lives lived. That's where I become an opening for inspiration. I can achieve this also in nature...on the beaches of Hawaii, in the redwood forests of Northern Calif....at a flea market...anywhere, actually, where I can look out and give my imagination free rein.

Is there something, artistic or otherwise, that you would like to try one day?

I am dabbling with painting. It's been on my mind for many years, however, it is intimidating to me since I am unfamiliar with the techniques.....and I only want to paint if I can do so in my own style. However, in the past month, I have done 3 paintings, and come up with some interesting techniques of my own, so I think I'm on my way!

What is a common message that you try to convey through your art?

Wonderment.   My intention is that...by looking at my art pieces...one is touched by inspiration, which ...for however long it lasts... brings some joy and magic into a life.

Can you give a hint or two of advice for developing artists?

Just do it.  I give myself this advice all the time...and too often I don't heed it! 

Even though I was in the practice of making art daily, for 25 + years, I have found that in the past couple of years, since I have not created as consistently, the voices of doubt can be loud.

I think creating, while we often elevate it to a higher realm, is really as mundane as exercising...or dieting....when you finally begin and practice on a daily basis, it feels great and is easy. But once you stop...and the longer you stop, the harder it is to get started again, and the more frustrated one becomes.  So my advice is to just begin! And then keep on creating, over and over and over.  
I sculpted 7 days a week, for years and years.  Probably at least 25 years!  Fortunately, I was possessed by my imagination and polyform clay and was driven to learn to express that which I wanted to create.  Whether it's difficult or easy, whether the passion comes and leads you, or you must make it happen, the secret lies in just doing it.
 

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