Women Who Rock- Interview with Collage Artist Claudine Hellmuth

Claudine Hellmuth rocks! She's an illustrator with an incredible blend of creativity AND business smarts. She has a line of trademarked hand-made crafts called Poppets™, has been seen on the Martha Stewart show, and has her own line of art materials. How incredible is that! I'm so honored that she agreed to chat with me so grab your coffee and enjoy the first in my new series of interviews with Women Who Rock!

Hi Claudine. You and I met through Twitter, and I’m so glad you said yes to a chat with me. Thank you so much! Can you tell us a little about yourself, such as where you grew up, where you went to school, and how you decided to become an artist?

Let’s see!! In a nutshell, I was born in Orlando and am a first generation American, my Mom is English and my Dad is German.

I have always been creative and have been making things all my life even from when I was a toddler! So it was pretty much a given that I would be an artist one day!

I went to college first in Columbus Ohio at the Columbus College of Art and Design and then transferred to Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington DC where I got my BFA with a concentration in painting.


You’re primarily known as a collage artist and you have a very unique use of mixed media. What was your inspiration behind using photographs of people in combination with other materials?

I have been creating using collage full time since my senior year in college in 1997. I always loved making collages but kept them mostly in my sketchbooks until I had finished my senior thesis in college. After I had done all the thesis work I felt I could “relax” and I started playing with the collages. My professors saw what I was working on and said to me “you have to include these in your thesis show too!!” After that I knew I was on a good track and have been working in collage ever since.

My collage work has grown and changed over the years. When I first left school I was working in a Victorian collage style and over time I just got burnt out on it. I went through a period of about a year and half of self discovery and finding where I wanted my work to grow and slowly developed the style that I work in now through lots of experimentation!

Can you tell us about Poppets®? They’re adorable! How did you develop this line? Have you ever gotten any unusual requests?

I began creating the Poppet® artworks in 2002 after a long dry spell in my art making. I was stuck and wanted to try something new. After about a year and a half of experimentation, and finally, a break through the creative block, I arrived at the Poppet® style of collage.

I decided that these new works needed a name and I wanted the name to be a little silly and unusual.

My English grandmother used to use the word "poppet" as a term of endearment saying to me "don't worry little poppet everything is going to be OK." And since these artworks make me feel happy, safe and young -- the name fit perfectly.

This new way of working, beckoned me back into the creative process and the thrill of creating simply for fun.

Since I liked the name Poppet so much I trademarked it!

With the Poppet® style of working, I started taking custom orders where I would create artworks for people using their photos. I really enjoy this work and working with the client to create something for them and their family!!

I think the most unusual request I have gotten was of a couple in a bathtub! They were a fun couple to create the artwork for!


You were on the Martha Stewart show recently demonstrating how you make Poppets®. How was that experience? Will you be doing any more television appearances?

Being on the Martha Show was an incredible experience. I still can’t believe that actually happened!! I have been hoping to get on again and we’ll have to see how the submission process goes!

As far as other TV, unfortunately almost all of the networks DIY and HGTV have completely cut their craft shows so there are now more show to appear on or watch! It’s really sad! It seems that the network execs think that the home improvement shows are more popular, but I have to disagree!


You also teach classes and workshops around the country. What’s it like to be a traveling artist? Will you be adding more classes to schedule?

Right now I am firming up my 2010 schedule. I have just a couple classes left in 2009 and I’ll soon have my whole list of 2010 classes on my web site!

I really enjoy teaching the workshops, the part I don’t like is the actual travel! I hate all the hauling around and plane travel, but once I am there it is fun fun fun!

I noticed on your site that you have your own product line of artist materials. How did that come to fruition for you? Will you be expanding that line?

I had been working with Ranger Industries at the CHA tradeshows and over time we started talking about adding me in as one of their artist product lines. There was a lot of product development, I got to work with their chemist to get the paints just how I wanted them, it was (and is) very exciting!!


You’ve turned your art into a successful business for yourself, which is very inspiring. What advice would you give to artists who want to create their own brand?

I would say to start by creating the work that you love to make! Then get on twitter, facebook, your blog, your web site and your Esty store. Keep your look cohesive throughout all these sites so that a person can easily identify the work and the style as yours.


Claudine, you’re truly an inspiration to artists everywhere! Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me.

Thank you for having me!!

If you want to see Claudine’s beautiful art, please visit her online at: www.collageartist.com
You can also follow her on Twitter: @collageartist