Interview with Una Art

Awesome! Another interview, but this time it's with the talented Una Art based out of Toronto!


1. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your craft. What inspires you
to create?
**I'm a Toronto-based artist, illustrator and editorial designer. My medium of choice is collage which I often describe as my most successful attempt at recycling. What I love about collage is that for me, it parallels the creative process- the ability to make something new out of previously disconnected things.

2. Why did you choose Etsy to feature your work? Do you have a website?
**I stumbled on Etsy accidentally, and was initially there to shop, before the thought of having an online store even occurred to me. It seemed like a great, supportive community for marketing and selling hand-made goods but I wasn't sure if it was the right place to sell art. Having mostly sold artwork through galleries and word-of-mouth, I'm still waiting to make my first sale online. So we'll see how it goes, but I love the idea of making my work available to people beyond the gallery walls and my studio. You can see more of my work at my site: www.unaart.com.

3. What styles, art, or images inspire your work?
**Inspiration is pretty intangible, but if pressed to list a few sources I'd say: music, politics, and the dictionary. Being a collage artist I rely on found imagery, anything from candy wrappers to vintage textbooks, and comic books to office supplies.

4. What kind of products to you offer? Do you take custom orders?
**Currently I'm selling some large (22"x44") limited edition prints from a series titled "Conversations" which have been exhibited in Toronto, as well as other smaller prints. They are all original hand-made collages which have been enlarged and printed, with hand-treated edges. I also welcome illustration commissions (and have illustrated for many Canadian magazines and organizations).

5. Where would you like to see your shop in 5 years?
**I'd love to open my work up to a bigger audience, meet other artists, learn new things and sell some work too. I'm also very interested in the potential of Etsy as an online art gallery for exciting, provocative, emerging talent.

Thanks Una for your time and sweet thought!