Blog Stalking: Artist Claudine Hellmuth

I am sure you have read about her before. Or read her blog. Perhaps even been a fan of her books or saw her at the Martha Stewart show last year. And if you haven't done any of these things yet, it is time you get caught up with current times and join all of us who love her work!  Here are a few questions that might help you get to know the wonderful, charismatic, Claudine Hellmuth that we know! 

1. When did you decide you would become an artist? Did you ever have a moment of epiphany about it as a child, or a young adult?

I never really did have a moment where I said "I am going to be an artist" it's always been something that has been present in my life for as long as I can remember. I have always made things and taken art lessons and been creative and except for a brief moment (one day when I was 8) when I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist -- artist has always been what I thought I would be or be doing in some way.

2. What is your favorite part of what you do and why?
I like different parts of what I do for different reasons. Some days I think it's the actual art making that is the most fun. But when things aren't working right in the studio I find the art making stressful and I decide that I like doing the business part best. I find that toggling between business person and artist works well for me because it gives me a break from each!

3. What are your three favorite TV shows and what is what makes you like them?
Pushing Daisies - my favorite and I pray this doesn't get canceled. I love how it is like Amelie +  Big Fish rolled into one. I love how they match colors on that show, all the orange and green. yummy!! And the story is so cute!

Project Runway -- of course!!

Breaking Bad -- this is my new fav, I love the darkness of this show. It must appeal to my moody German side.

I do like a lot of TV and I do not feel guilty about watching it. It's one of the few ways I relax.

4. And I'm sure many people would want to read about (I know I do) how many times did you change outfits the day of your Martha Stewart show? 
Actually only once! I knew I would be wearing jeans and heels on the bottoms because that is my uniform that I wear all the time. So I wore a regular shirt on my way over there with my jeans and heels and then I brought 4 different shirts for the wardrobe guy to pick from. All the others that I brought wouldn't work for one reason or another, too much pattern or the fabric would moire on the camera so we were left at the last shirt which I ended up wearing. It actually wasn't my favorite choice, but oh well. it looked OK. I ran out of time before the show to do proper shirt shopping and there are so many rules with what you can and can not wear on camera, things that don't film well etc. And one shirt I actually wore on TV before -- the Martha wardrobe guy said I couldn't because it would moire. Just when I thought I was figuring it out. it is very confusing.

5. Were you nervous the moments before the show started?  And, what was your BEST memory of that day? 
I was nervous in a crazy way the night before - I knew it was going to be live TV so that is what freaked me out the most. I had to take an Ambien to get to sleep. In the morning when I was getting ready in the hotel i as nervous. And then in the dressing room, But once I was there on the set and it was time, I got really calm. Paul (my husband) got really nervous right before, I could tell because his hands were all sweaty!!!

My best memory of that day.... hmmm. it was sort of like my wedding day. A big blur. I would have to say my best memory was after the segment I got to sit in the audience with Paul and watch the rest of the show being filmed and knowing I had done it and I hadn't messed up and it was OK. Later that day Paul took me canoing on the lake in central park which was so cute and fun!

6. I know you have some very exciting news to share about a collaboration with Ranger Industries...anything you can share with us on that subject?
I can't share a whole lot at this point, but I am super excited and I can't wait to reveal more, it is killing me not to be able to share everything!  The line will debut at the CHA summer show this July in Chicago. Yay!!!

7. I saw you being interviewed at CHA Winter this past month (I even have a few pictures of that!) what were your thoughts as the cameras were rolling?
That was for a little segment for When Creativity Knocks which is a new Internet TV show that is being launched. All I could remember thinking was not to talk too loud - I am a loud talker. And I was wondering if I was going to be late to my book signing which was right afterward!

8. What can make your day?
Having a great day in the studio makes for the perfect day for me. On the flip side a bad day in the studio where my artwork doesn't want to cooperate can make me very cranky.

9. What do you like to do with your girlfriends to spend quality time? 
I don't get to be social in real life as much as I would like. I have been going over to Lynn and John's for Project Runway parties which has been so much fun. My close friend Martha lives near by and we visit at her house and hang out at her studio and cuddle her fat cats. That is the best day!! Other than that all my girlfriends live far away so AOL Instant messenger is our mode of communication!

10. Just for fun, what's your favorite cereal?
I love Kashi's Heart to Heart. it is SO perfect. Not too sweet, just right. It tastes like marshmallows to me.

11. Any irrational fears?
I have an irrational fear that I will end up one day getting swallowed up by life (kids, family etc.) and will discover that I haven't made art in a long time and will no longer be an artist. That is one of my biggest fears. this in part stems from some of my professors in college who would pronounce over and over again that "only one in 10 of you will still be making art in 10 years" yikes!! that put the fear of God into me!

12. Any fun memory bits of your childhood that are still with you to this date?
Reading on rainy weekend afternoons with my mom. I'd be reading Sweet Valley High books and she'd be reading something else and we'd both be eating Oreos right out of the package.

13. Who was your teenage crush, did you have one?
River Phoenix!!

14. If you had the chance to do things all over again, would there be anything in your life you would change?
Not anything!!!

15. What is your favorite dessert?
Right now I am thinking funnel cake. but white chocolate fondue is a close runner up!

16. What is your biggest dream?
To live a full life, to not be afraid of what ifs and to just go with the flow!