How would you describe your style?  Are there any artists / designers that you particularly look up to?

I think my style is fresh and light, with a sense of warmth and homey feel to it. I love to make things that would also inspire me and make me feel at home, something you'd want to keep forever. There are lots of artist I admire but a few of my favorite are Kelli Murray, Lindsay Letters, and Autumn Matney (a Phoenix local)  

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 

All of my artwork is original and hand done. I think today its pretty easy to become and "artist" without much skill or background, but I think my work is a result of not only skill but years and years of practice and education. I'm drawn to things that are pretty and well designed with an unmatched skill. Every piece of my work comes from something I've been inspired by. My biggest thing when creating is creating something I love that also has meaning. I try to produce work that others can bring to their home and feel hopeful and inspired whenever they look at it. 

What sort of things inspire you?  Where do you look for inspiration?

So many things from a good song lyric, to colors on a building, to watching my kids imagination run wild. 

When do you feel the most creative?

When I'm traveling and discovering a new place and experiencing new things I never have before. 

Where can we learn more about you?  

Follow along on my blog or my instagram! 

www.coleykuyper.com

https://www.instagram.com/coleykuyperart/

What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own? 

I would say the ideas that I have, the way I create a world in my paintings. This is achieved by stylizing reality, perspective, and also including some unusual elements in each painting; things that won't happen in reality. I like to ask myself the question 'Why not?'

When do you feel the most creative? 

When I work. The more I paint or draw, the more ideas come.

What's the coolest artistic tip you've ever received? 

I was in my last semester at Art Center College of Design, when one of my teachers told me that the one person who needs to like my work is myself. That was an excellent advice that came at the right time for me. It seems that it is easier for others to like my work, but I hold myself to a high standard and always want to do better with the next painting. I'm the hardest person to please, and that's how it should be - pushing myself to do better. 

What is something most people don't know about you?

Sometimes people wonder about my last name - I'm Bulgarian and it is actually pretty unique name there, only a couple of families on my dad's side have it. My heritage does influence my paintings - the settings in many of them tend to look more European as I miss the look and feel of Europe.

Where can we learn more about you? 

From my website: www.danyparagouteva.com