Steel Notes Magazine | 43
a lot , and I am taken aback by what I have even done that in a year and a half ’ s time . It blows my mind .
Alexxis : Like the Dream Basket you did with the key .
Marie : Well , that my brother actually bought . It was expensive . I know back then I used to go into people ’ s houses and they would phone me , and I would say if anyone has anything that is really different let me know . I would drive all over Hollywood , and I remember I picked up that basket up in the deepest part of old Hollywood . My brother was just really taken by it and he purchased it from me . So yeah , I love that piece , I truly love that piece , and I don ’ t know where it came from , just somewhere deep inside .
Alexxis : Yes , it is amazing . The creativity just flows out of you !
Cross and Sachel for Karen Kincaid - “ Family Love ”
Marie : Well yes , it does , and what I am enjoying so much are these guitars . It is endless with what I can do with this particular line of mosaics . Like with my crosses , which were so unbelievably successful . Each one has its own life , it has its own look , never two alike .
Alexxis : I saw that , like your Wildflower shadow box crosses , the one with the horse head with the Swarovski crystals .
Marie : You know that one hasn ’ t sold yet , which kind of shocks me , and truly it ’ s cheap , compared to what it cost me to make . But you know what , so many people are suffering , including myself . We are all suffering . A year ago that would have sold for twice as much , and I do my sales to help people out , and what sells , sells and what doesn ’ t , doesn ’ t . But about that horse ; I don ’ t even make the shadow boxes anymore , those are history . I think I have three left or four left , and that ’ s it and I will never make another one .
Alexxis : Marie , you do so many things - your painting , your sculpting , re-creating pieces , your mosaics , is there one thing that you enjoy doing more than the other ?
Marie : Yes … Being a mother ! Being a mother to my children , that is what I enjoy more than anything I have ever done in my life ! And that is what I really must say . Of course , when it comes down to art , passions come and go . My passion for my crosses went when everybody else ’ s passion for them went left or right . But my one passion that never ever changes is the one thing I have done so unbelievably well , that at least for my children no one could do better and that is being a mom . That is the only one positive definite tomorrow I ’ ve got , is being a mother .
Alexxis : And you feel like that is your crowning glory , and biggest achievement .
Marie : Absolutely ! It doesn ’ t matter if I make another 200 or 2,000 pieces . The people that purchase them will
Steel Notes Magazine | 43