Tell ALL Tuesdays:: Stefanie Beyeler

Every week on Tuesdays we introduce to you another one of our *Fabulous Readers* who I have gotten to know through Blog Land over this past year.(that's right...it's been 1 year)
When I first stumbled across Stefanie and her amazing talent...I was in awe. She has a very unique style which I just wanted to see more of.
It's a wish of mine to one day get to meet her in person...and another to own one of her originals...or to commission a painting from her.
So...without further adieu...
I welcome...Stefanie Beyeler
Tell us a little about the Town you live in... & have you always lived there?
I live in Thun, a city with about 42’000 inhabitants in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. It’s very pretty, with a medieval castle, a lake and a beautiful view on the Swiss Alps. Before that I have lived in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, which is not that much bigger, with only 122’000 citizens.

If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
I don’t want to move at all, we live in a wonderful old house and have such perfect neighbours! But if I could take them with me, maybe to the Arizona desert or the south of France. Or Hong Kong for the food?

How structured is your day usually?
Not as structured as I wish it were, but I’m working on it: I’m a fanatic list maker. I work 60% as a graphic designer, paint, and work with my sister, a journalist, on an illustrated book about a fairy tale princess who gets anorexic. My boyfriend who is also a graphic designer, has lost his job because of knee problems and he couldn't do anything for a year. But now he is getting better and he is really spoiling me with cooking and doing housework.

What did you do today?
It’s Monday, so I worked at my day-job this morning. Then I did some work for the princess book. Mostly research, we will send out the manuscript to agents and editors soon. I like the drawing part much more than the organizing part.
Monday evening I go figure drawing in a lovely old house in the park of a castle at the lake Thun. It’s a magic place and such a beautiful studio. When I come home I go for a late walk with our neighbours’ labrador.

Are you a cat or dog person?
Both, my two cats love our neighbour’s dog and I would love to have one or two dogs of my own. And a donkey, goats, rabbits and a lot more animals.

Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?
All three of them, I need to eat regularly or I get so unhappy and grumpy.

If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?
Lots of salad, sushi (I make the ugliest sushi worldwide, but it’s delicious) or rice with spicy vegetables and for dessert my brownies. Nobody goes hungry after having eaten my brownies.

How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?
I knew I wanted to be a farmer or a graphic designer at age thirteen. At art school I was very, very bored and our teachers were not at all encouraging, so I stopped to draw entirely. As a graphic designer I work mostly digital.

At 35 I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I could no longer do what I wanted, even the smallest things were exhausting and going out became impossible. But I still worked part time as a graphic designer. So I began to draw and paint again, because I was quite desperate. Doctors couldn't help me and didn't believe me. I changed my diet and this really worked, but there’s no more Swiss cheese and chocolate for me. And no more coffee, that’s a hard one!

Who /what drove & inspired your love to create.
My parents have always been fascinated with art. My sister is the clever one, but I was the girl who could draw well. I am inspired by everything that I see or feel, but for working I have to start without waiting for inspiration. Not thinking too much and just let it flow.

Tell us something not too many people know about you.
I love carrots! Maybe that’s why my teeth look a bit like Bugs Bunny’s.

Shoe choice: flats or heels?
Both, but they seem to get flatter with age…

What was the last book you read?
I love books, they are the best things ever! Can I mention three I’m reading currently? There is Middlemarch by George Eliot, which is wonderful, a collection of really quirky German fairy tales and I’m trying to figure out my Style Statement (McCarthy & LaPorte).

What advice would you give others just starting out?
Be nice, work hard and have fun.
And don’t be intimidated to get paid for your work.

Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.
http://www.designspongeonline.com/ I’m addicted to interior-things.
http://www.swiss-miss.com/ Such a wonderful and positive collection of interesting things.
http://camillaengman.blogspot.com/ She’s my favorite illustrator and Morran is the best dog ever.
http://www.modishblog.com/biztips/ Because you can never know enough about business.
http://inkonmyfingers.typepad.com/ink_on_my_fingers/ I’m currently doing the Unravelling e-course ((http://www.susannahconway.com/unravelling )) and just love it! I do recommend it highly.

Thank you Stefanie for a wonderful insight to getting to know you a little better.(I can't wait until your book is finished-I think it will help many people)

Make sure to go over to Stefanie's Blog and Website to see more of her brilliance!

Thanks for passing by...and leaving comments for Stefanie (and us..heehee)

Until tomorrow...hugs.x.

Char,On