Today we are going to get to know the artist/designer behind Hafapea Designs. She is 42 and living in Florida, US…

Could you tell us a little about who you are and what you do?

I’m a single mother of the world’s greatest 5 year old boy and a full time college student working on a Master’s Degree in Information Sciences. In my spare time I create what I call abstract fractal art and use it, along with the licensed works of some talented others, to create products for my Zazzle shop.

What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on adding my older images to all of the new products that Zazzle just added to their site as well as creating new product lines with the pieces in my latest series, Faetinis. I also have other images that I just created: Rice Bowl, Faery Wand and  Tailtiu (pictured below). They can all be seen in the photo albums, Faetinis and Newest Designs on my Facebook fan page.

I’ll also toss in a few pixel art and traditional holiday designs along the way if for no other reason than to break things up a bit. In fact, I’ll probably get some Valentine’s Day stuff worked up this weekend.

What are your goals for the future?
My immediate goal is to get through this semester of college. *lol*  My other goals include adding at least 5,000 products to my shop this year and making Silver Level Pro before the year is out.  My ultimate goal is to have my Zazzle shop earn me enough money so that I never have to use my degree.

What’s your favorite piece of work, that you have created?
This is a tough question for me to answer because I’m one of those oddballs who actually likes her own artwork. There is one piece however, that holds sentimental value than all the rest, Mother (pictured right). It’s special for a couple of reasons. One, it was the first fractal that I ever created and two, it epitomizes the way I feel about my son.

What is your favorite:

Color: I like rainbows. — Animal: Male Lion. — Season: Spring and Fall.

What are you doing when you’re not creating?
When I’m not creating I’m either in class, doing school work, spending time with my son, playing endless Facebook games, an RPG like Wizard 101 or Morrowind, or some other video game. Usually I’m spending time with my son though, Especially during semester breaks. I have other hobbies, like weaving beads, cross-stitching, scrapbooking and reading, but they just don’t fit into my lifestyle right now.

Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
“Oh wondrous creatures, by what strange miracle do you so often NOT smile?” ~ Hafiz

What are 3 things you have added to your favorites at Zazzle?
Nothing, I’m afraid.  There is just too much that I like for me to start hearting things! I have joined many many fan clubs though. The most recent was Romance Works: Her Irises are gorgeous! Robert Lyn Nelson is one that I faved back when I first joined Zazzle two years ago and still love. and well, I was hopping up and down in my seat when I saw that Jasmine Becket-Griffith had joined up. (Work from favorite artists below)

Where else can we find you?
I just started a blog.
My Website is 12 years old and 700 pages long!
I also Tweet and have a Facebook Fan Page

What else should we know about you and your work?
Well, about me, probably not much.  Before I got knocked up with my son I had spent 17 years traveling the US and making plans to see the world. I was a wild and free gypsy, moving from place to place working as a waitress and political activist. Now, I’m working on being able to travel the old fashioned way: by taking vacations with my son. *lol*

My work? Well, my work just is.  Some of it is really deep and moving, some of it is really light and even funny (at least to me lol). Others of my pieces are just a bit odd. The thing about abstract art, though, is that it’s something different to everyone who sees it. Part of the reason I include pixel art, clipart, and other types of work in with my abstract fractal art is so my shop will appeal to a broader audience. Not everyone gets or even likes abstract art, much less fractals. But then, not everyone gets or even like me either. *lol*

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Wow! Thanks Hafapea for taking part in the interview – It was great to get to know you! You have such a wide range of designs (available on so many products!) that I invite our readers to take a look at the Hafapea Zazzle shop as I didn’t even begin to make a dent in showing off all the wonderful designs available!