Max Dehart

Name: Max Dehart
Website: www.maxdehart.com

What do you do?
I am a painter and freelance graphic designer. 


Where can we find your work?
You can find most of my work at:
www.maxdehart.com
www.facebook.com/artfromdehart
Any upcoming shows and other information can be found on either one.


What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
Its really hard to say.. I just do what I do and have fun doing it.. best way to get over tough things in my opinion is to stay productive and busy. My outlet of expression is art so the tough times is where I draw my motivation from.


What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?   
Without technique and process, its impersonal. Without content and a finished product, its meaningless. They are a synergy of some sort and need each other to make them equally as important.


Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
Family, friends, and people who work hard for what they want.


If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
No idea..


When do you get your best ideas?
Right before I go to sleep.


What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
Mostly acrylic and spray paint for canvas work, computer for graphic work, and most importantly my brain.


Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
I took several art classes through school where I learned to use most basic mediums. After that I applied what I knew to teach myself to use other things like spray paint, gold leaf, wood stain, and other stuff.


What would your creative work taste like?
A strong dark IPA beer on a hot summer day.


When you are not creating what do you like to do?
Find something to do with some friends, think, scour the internet for interesting articles to read, and whatever else I feel like doing.


How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
Growing up Ive always had a lot of free time. Naturally, I would just draw random things in my notebook and use whatever I had lying around and make something out of it. I never really expected anything to come from it, I just enjoyed the act of creating and found a way to cure my boredom. Sharing my art with others was an uncomfortable process for me at first, but over time it became less intimidating. Art is subjective and everyone has their own opinion about things.. The key is to just put it out there and share it when you feel the time is right. Appreciate all interpretations of your work and if you have a chance, discuss with people about it. You can always take what you see from it and move on, but sharing it with people helps gain that outside perspective you might not have seen before.


What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures?  
Do what you do and make it fun! if your not enjoying yourself then try something new. Experiment, and stay focused on what you want.

Lisa Mejia

Name : Lisa Mejia
Website: www.facebook.com/StariBellyDancer

What do you do?
I am a Belly Dancer, specializing in Tribal Fusion and Cabaret Fusion styles. I am also a henna tattoo artist, painter, costume designer, and jewelry designer.

Where can we find your work?
I perform at coffee shops, restaurants, and belly dance festivals (sometimes as a solo dancer, but also with my troupe Raks al Khalil). I also do henna tattoos, at our vending booth (for MejiaArts) at local farmer's markets, art venues, and art festivals. I design and make most of my costuming and jewelry that I perform in.

What inspires you to create and how do you keep motivated when things get tough?
I'm inspired by other belly dancers, as well as Flamenco dancers and Bollywood dancers. I sometimes have a difficult time staying motivated to be creative (especially during the months of January and February), but I'm usually able to break out of it, by spending time with my husband who is in a constant state of creativity.

What do you think is more important content/finished product or technique/process?
As a dancer, I would say the finished product because I get that rush of energy from performing live and seeing people enjoying my performances. But as a costumer/henna tattoo artist, I would have to say the overall process of creating.

Who are some people who influence and/or inspire you?
My husband inspires me to keep going even during my darkest hours. I'm also inspired by the ladies in my belly dance troupe Raks al Khalil, and my Mom, who has always encouraged my creativity.

If you could be any fictional character who would you be?
Maya, the courtesan/dancer from the Mira Nair film "Kama Sutra-A Tale of Love"

When do you get your best ideas?
In the morning, or when I'm really bored at work.

What materials/tools do you use most to create your work?
Fabric, sewing and beading needles, coins, chain swags, fine silk veils, a bellydance sword, and my body.

Are you self taught or formally educated? How do you think that has influenced or affected your work?
My first dance teacher was my Mother (who was a belly dancer in the 1970s). I have taken several classes in many styles of dance throughout my life, including Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Bellydance, Flamenco, and East Indian Odissi. For the past 6 years I've been a member of the San Jose-based belly dance troupe Raks al Khalil. I learned how to do henna from a friend of mine, a couple of years ago. She was from India, and taught me about the traditional mehndi designs. I took many classes in costume and jewelry design while I was in college.

What would your creative work taste like?
Really good homemade hummus and pita bread, followed by Greek honey yogurt.

When you are not creating what do you like to do?
I love to read books and watch movies, spend time with my wonderful husband, play with our feisty little bunny rabbit Lucky, and travel.

How did you learn to access your creative talents and gain the confidence to put it out there for everyone to experience?
I used to be very timid and apprehensive about my creativity (mostly because my Dad and his family were not encouraging my creative aspects-they wanted me to be an investment banker....blech). Once I got into college and was surrounded by other talented writers/artists/musicians/dancers/etc., I was able to overcome my shyness and my apprehensions, and just put everything out there.

What advice would you give others just beginning their creative adventures?
Do what you love to do, and don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it.