We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hallie Driscoll. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hallie below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Hallie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic definitely comes from my mother. She is the hardest working person I know. When I was a kid, she worked for a newspaper and when the internet was first becoming a big thing, she saw the promise of what could come and told the paper she worked for that she could code and build them a website. She had no idea how to do that – but she taught herself how to code and eventually went on to win awards for her work. As a single parent she juggled all that, never missed a recital or sporting event of mine, and still managed to do all the other things we take for granted as children. I’ve never seen anyone work harder for what they wanted.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I create large scale mixed media pieces that feature embroidery, paint, preserved flowers and more – pretty much whatever I feel called to use for any particular piece. My work to this point has really focused on viewing the world through the eyes of a child – when things all seemed so magical and we thought of clouds like cotton candy. In both my mixed media work and my separate embroidery business, I really strive to focus on nature with a hint of magic and mysticism.
Currently I’m working on partnering with local businesses to host mixed media embroidery workshops that would teach basic embroidery skills and help people explore working within different mediums for one piece of work. From May 31 – June 9th, new work will be on display as part of the Keene Art Walk in downtown Keene, NH.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I have always defined myself as an artist, so I think the illustration and composition skills that I have really came in handy. Having that foundation to start with made learning new skills – like embroidery and working with preserved flowers – that much easier to learn.
My stubbornness is also a skill that has invaluable. You have to be stubborn as an artist. You’re going to create work people don’t like or don’t understand. Projects aren’t going to turn out the way you want. You have to be a stubborn to keep going. You also need to know, for yourself, that even if your work isn’t understood by most – that someone, somewhere, will get what you’re doing and love it. Even if that someone is your mom.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always open to working with others. For my embroidery business, I love partnering with other artists to turn their work into DIY kits. And in general, I love using new or different processes and materials as part of my work. I’m hoping this year to add lighting into more pieces and create larger installation pieces. Anyone looking to collaborate with an installation, an embroidery kit design or has a space they think would be a good fit for my work can email me at [email protected] or [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: www.halliedriscoll.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hallie_driscoll
- Other: www.theblankspacecollection.com instagram.com/theblankspacecollection
