Etsy Profile: Diana Walden of Copper Inc.

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Diana Waldon. I was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas (Yee-Haw!) and moved to Holyoke, Massachusetts a few years ago with a group of friends. We were young and thought that it would be awesome to move halfway across the country and try to make it out on our own. It's been fun and at times difficult, but I'm happy I did it. I am currently finishing up my BFA at Umass Amherst. I like cinnamon rolls and Chai tea.

a pile of letters print - $8

Apart from creating art, what do you do?

Browsing the book store has become a recent and expensive habit. Apart from spending money on books faster than I read them, I really like to cook. I love planning and preparing dinners with my boyfriend. Even more enjoyable, I love eating dinner. Delicious. When the weather warms up, I try to spend as much time as I possibly can at the beach. I'd be very happy if I could find a part-time job boogie boarding!

the martini lover print - $8

What first made you want to become an artist?

Just being exposed to art was probably the catalyst. The feeling of wonder you have while looking at something you consider beautiful and worthwhile has always been a mesmerizing motivator. If I see beauty, I want to create it too. Art is catching. If I had to pinpoint the first time I felt that way, it would be in elementary school when a boy in my class finished a drawing of a recorder. At the time, I thought the silly, little sketch was the most amazing thing ever created. I was floored and simultaneously hooked -- I fell in love with art.

gold leaf and gold leaves print - $20

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
I like using acrylic paints, old books, and gold leaf. My process usually starts out with a half-formed direction and I just dive in, not really fully committed to achieving a perfect end result. I'll meander around until I eventually find a good stopping point. If I can use gold leaf, I'm happy.

top: it was black and cold, i put on a pot of coffee print - $15

bottom: a thin coating of ice print - $8

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?

There have been so many! Seeing the dedication and creativity of other Etsy artists always makes me want to push up my sleeves and get to work. Also encouraging are my friends and family, they are always so excited and interested in what I'm doing -- I'm very grateful. As for the artist-that-have-books-dedicated-to-their-work category, lately I've really been enjoying Gustav Klimt and John Singer Sargent.

candy, backwards print - $15

Where else can we find your work?

Well, I'm pretty new to the game so my Etsy shop, Copper Inc, is my only venue right now. It's new and growing and I plan to maintain it for as long as I can. Other than on Etsy you might be able to find some of my work, according to my wonderful customers, on various walls in their homes.

Images copyright Copper Inc, 2009.