When did you begin to call yourself an artist?
I was always an artist (creating) in the being and action sense of the word. Art isn't something I studied. I always saw it as who I naturally am and what I naturally do so I didn't apply the word as a label until I had my first solo exhibition in 2001 and someone referred to me in a newspaper article as "Elspeth Duncan, multimedia artist". Then everyone started referring to me as that and referring to a lot of my work as "installations". The term "multimedia artist" made sense at that time because of all the different media in which I work (photography, writing, music, film/video). I don't generally like labels because they can be limiting, but I see how they are useful in a world where people want to categorize in order to understand (from their perspectives) who others are in relation to who they are.
Whats usually your first thought in the morning?
Might be a dream that I had, sometimes I might wonder what the time is or depending on if I’ve traveled I might wake up and wonder 'Where am I?'
You eat a raw foods diet. What is your favourite raw food creation?
(kris here - had to jump in and tell you that i've been privy to some of her raw creations and WOW. Mouth party!!)
I’ve become less intricate with my creations and now its more simple like I’ll eat an avocado. but my favourite creation, i’d say raw bread. I don't remember correctly because it's been a while since I've made it but it has flax seeds, flax meal, vegetable remnants from juicing but you can add anything and dehydrate it.
Greatest recent achievement?
Waking up this morning.
Is there any artform you've wanted to try but haven’t been able to yet?
Funny you should say that. I brought paints and some small canvases with me here (she was house sitting at the time of the interview) because I would have some time. Whenever I say I’m an artist people ask what kind of paintings I do and I tell them I don't paint. I often wish that I really could paint because there’s something in your head and you want to translate it and you can’t necessarily do that with a photograph but you can do it with a painting. I go for the essence of what I’m seeing rather than the form.
How do you handle the business side of your creative endeavours?
I intend to sharpen myself more in this area and explore what the word "business" can mean. I consider myself primarily a creative person and not "a business person", but "Business" can be creative too and I want to clear any resistance I have to it and apply it successfully to what I do.
How and when did you get into kundalini yoga and what is your favourite kriya?
Can you explain what a kriya is to those who don't know?
Started Kundalini Yoga in October 2000 after going to a class some friends were attending in my area. Took to it like a fish to water and never looked back. It has greatly transformed my life and continues to do so.
For me it's hard to single out one thing as a favourite in any area (food, colours, etc) - but if I had to pick a 'favourite' kriya, right now it would be the exercise set for the chakras and electromagnetic field.
A kriya is a set of exercises done in a specific sequence and designed to work on a specific aspect - e.g. elimination, kidneys, willpower, chakras. A kriya can also be one exercise (as opposed to a series) - e.g. sat kriya (http://www.mrsikhnet.com/
The rainbow
Do you ever feel like getting a 9-5?
No.
Money money money - much more coming in than going out
Both
Elspeth also makes these wonderful window lamps- she has a post on her blog about their evolution which you can find here
Above is a photograph of the first one i ever saw and it is definitely my favourite one (though i love them all). I just wish you could see these in person! It is really an experience to be had - perhaps you might be lucky enough to attend one of her future launches. The picture below is of a lamp who's launch i was lucky enough to attend. It was indeed magical.
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