Matin Lapin: my favourite Etsians - Q&A with Miss Marjorie

You would be forgiven for thinking that all I do while I'm on holiday is look at pretty things in order to find people whose work I like enough to interview for my little series, My Favourite Etsians.

Sometimes I do other stuff. But yeah, it's mostly Etsy or Pinterest-based, and there is nothing wrong with that.

I can't remember the exact search term which led me to Katie's shop, MissMarjorie, but it could have contained any of the following: 'dreaming unicorn', 'mermaid kitten' or 'sheriff octopus'.

Without further ado, let's get on with things, shall we?

Hi Katie! Thank you so much for agreeing to answer some of my questions! Firstly, would you like to introduce yourself to Matin Lapin readers?

Hi! My name is Katie Coleman, I live in Atlanta, Georgia with two cats and a bearded man. I make my living as a barista, artist, and illustrator.

How did you get into drawing and painting, and how long have you been doing it?

I really loved drawing and painting from a very young age. I remember it being one of the only things that I could truly focus on as a kid, but I never looked at my own art making in any sort of serious way until I was in college.

{Dance, Dance}

Did you teach yourself or do you have any formal training?

I have a BFA in painting and drawing from Georgia State University.

Since you seem to have been drawing since pretty much forever, how much has your work changed since you started?

I'm just a baby artist, I'm always trying new ways of doing things. I feel like I've just found my own style within the last couple of years. I am just going to keep on drawing and see what happens!

{Sheriff Shurman}

You have such a varied selection of pieces in your shop - what kinds of things inspire you in your work?

I find inspiration from my everyday experiences and the awesome, ridiculous, awkward,
really good at dancing people in my life.

I love everything in your shop, especially the kitties - what is your favourite project/item in your shop and why?

Earlier this year myself and my friend and a real awesome artist Jane Garver did an art show about all things awkward called "So this one time....". It was dedicated to making artwork based on our own awkward experiences and gathering stories from other people about theirs. It was a super rewarding project and one that made me laugh! A lot of the prints in my shop are of work from this show.

{Mermaid Kitty}

That sounds pretty neat. Other than drawing and creating, what else do you like to do in your free time?

I am currently spending my free time trying to find the perfect pistachio ice cream.

That is a quest close to my heart! Pistachio ice cream is one of the finest inventions of all time. Let me know when you find it!

Finally, would you like to tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I am nearsighted in one eye and farsighted in the other.