Spotlight on Maria Fika Evelina

Today's Wonder is fresh off the celebrity boat, having been featured as a Win a Day on the Blog winner last week over at the Hero Arts blog. This is a very coveted spot and only open to six artists every quarter - and this is from a pool of over 2,000 members, so that should tell you something about her creative abilities.

Please meet Maria Fika Evalina, better known to many of us simply as Fika. 

So does anyone else think our little beauty is like... fourteen? I'm going to include a second picture of Fika because it's so fabulous:

Fika lives in Indonesia. Did you know the name Indonesia derives from the Latin Indus, meaning "India", and the Greek nesos, meaning "island"? Did you further know Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands, about 6,000 of which are inhabited? With a population of around 230 million people, it is the world's fourth most populous country, and supports the world's second highest level of biodiversity (Brazil is #1). And the people are as diverse as the flora and fauna: there are approximately 300 distinct native ethnicities in Indonesia, and 742 different languages and dialects!

The influences of Fika's culture and physical surroundings are something I envy. Her eyes were raised in an environment that is very different from mine. She's surrounded by a myriad of color combinations and design sensibilities that are much more exotic and visually stimulating than those found in my white bread world. So often when she creates it's like a breath of fresh air. Like this colorful marvel:

Fika can use the color red as a grounding "neutral" and the result is a vibrant, energized visual treat! (If I tried to pull this off it'd just end up looking like a bloodbath - no pun intended.) A Fika trademark is her attention to detail. Check out those bath bubbles, for instance!

Or how about this beautiful (and very clever) work of art? She made this by recycling some product packaging! Just look at all these beautiful bursts of color! And, again, look at all the details - from the "sand" to the gem "bubbles" to the little tiles representing sea plants! And I love how she used that background stamp - I never would have thought as an underwater background, but it's perfect! (Using a stamp in a non-traditional way is another one of Fika's tricks, btw.) About the only thing wrong with this birthday card is that the present will definitely be taking a backseat!

Show me a little girl who wouldn't squeal when she opened this? On second thought, show me a big girl who wouldn't do the same! Fika also gets out of the world of flat paper to make these exquisite dolls:

 

I don't know if she sells these on Etsy, but I suspect she ought to.

I'm certainly not the only one who feels Fika's work is praiseworthy. She's won quite a few accolades in the Hero Arts weekly blog challenges: HA Website Inspiration (3rd Place); Sneaky Inspiration (Honorable Mention); Photocard (3rd Place); Unexpected Holiday Color Challenge (1st Place); and Catalog Sneak Peek (1st Place). And, as I already mentioned, she was in the most recent batch of Win a Day winners. Although she has yet to be published, I think that will be a thing of the past in the near future. (I bet if she submitted that little doll card above to Cards magazine it might even make the cover. I mean, talk about original and fresh!)

Fika's got a very nice studio space. When I saw her desk, my eyes widened, but I was not surprised after considering its owner. Fika strikes me as being the sort of tidy and careful person who could have a glass desktop!

She also has some sort of a cabinet unit for her supplies and tools. I wish I had a picture of the whole thing, but you can tell it's a very cool piece of furniture.

You can see more photos of her space here.

Well, let's get to the good stuff, shall we? With no further ado, please raise your Diet-Cokes to Maria Fika Evelina, a Grand-Duchess of Detail!

Fika's Wonder-ful Interview

1. Do you pre-sketch a design or do you just leap out of the gate? How long does it usually take you to make a page? A card?

I never pre-sketch a design. I love daydreaming about my future cards, and just creating them based on my imagination or challenge requirements. It takes 2-6 hours to make a card. I rarely make a page, but if my photocard counts, I spent 8 hours making it.

2. How many, on average, pages per week do you make? Cards?

I usually make 2 or 3 cards at the weekend, but sometimes only one - it depends on my creative mojo. 

3. How has your process evolved to make you a leaner, meaner crafting machine? (In other words, what are some lessons you've learned or tips you can share that allow you to make better and faster design choices?

I have three tips to share: First, more practice (like the old saying, “practice makes perfect”). :~D Second, you must know what is your speciality or style and make it shine -just do what you love and love what you do. Third, learn more techniques and get inspiration from the Hero Arts blog and Flickr group or from other super-talented stampers’ blogs.

All sounds good to me!

4. What's your stand-by, FAST dinner solution for those times when you really want to get to your scrap space ASAP (or stay ALAP)?

It’s instant noodles - even my DH can cook it by himself in less than 5 minutes. Or I just call in a delivery order from the nearest restaurant.

5. If you were stranded on an island that had a billion supplies but NO tools, what ten TOOLS would you HAVE to have? (All the stamps in the world are available, so you don't need to list them as one of your tools. EX: we've got all the embroidery floss in the world, but you're going to have to bring your own needle if you want to use any of it!)

I would bring my Cuttlebug (in my real life I don’t have this - I use my dies manually - but on a dream island I hope I have it), scissors (small and large size), cutter, ruler, heat gun, craft punches, pencil, acrylic block, sponge and my Copic markers. 
 
6. If you were still on that island, what kind of noise would you want (if any) in the background? List as many as five different favorite musical artists.

I love to hear various songs (pop, jazz, a bit of rock) but my favorite is love songs. I also like some natural sounds like the sound of waves or birds or a waterfall. I love so many artists, such as Richard Clayderman, The Corrs, Celine Dion, Savage Garden, Il Divo, Josh Groban, Christian Bautista, Lady Gaga, oops it’s more than five… ;)

7. If you could have anything you wanted, (concerning scrapping or stamping) what would it be?

I want to go to the USA; attend CHA; visit the Hero Arts company; meet and learn from the Hero Arts artists; and craft with my Hero Arts Flickr group friends. (I even dreamt about it! In my dream I got an invitation from Hero Arts to visit their company together with my best friend Vera. All tickets and accommodations were provided.)

*Grin* That's a pretty sweet dream to have, alright!

8. What about your style/artistry are you least satisfied with?

Sewing, masking, and creating masculine cards. It’s so hard for me necause my head is full of pinkish stuffs.... LOL!

Okay - I had to laugh when I read that because I got this picture of your head with cotton candy poking out of your ears. But I suppose you mean you really like using the color pink?

9. What cameras have you tried, which one is your favorite, and why? (You can shorten this to just the one you're using now if you like.)

My Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T2 is my first camera, and I love it because it’s small, handy, and has a micro function.

10. What's the word or phrase that comes to your lips when you mess up while creating? ("Unprintable" is definitely an option!)

Oh, shoot!!

11. Give us a quick description of your pets.

I don’t have any pets right now, but when I was a child, I had a dog named Bonnie. He had big brown eyes and white fur and was so loyal; he always waited for me at the door of my house until I came back from school.
 
12. Give us a quick description of your job. 

I work as an accountant at a TV station. Every day I play with lots of numbers - in my job meticulousness is so important. Lots of pressure and working long hours also are required at the closing period and especially at this time when several colleagues and bosses leave us. 

13. Give us a quick description of you family.

I’m a wife. My husband’s name is Widya. We were co-workers when I worked as an auditor in my previous company. It’s the third year of our marriage. I love him so much as he’s so patient, understanding, caring and supportive of me in everything I do.

14. Got a fun or little known fact about yourself you’d like to share?

I can sleep anywhere, (in the car or bus while sitting or standing) and I love sleeping with my Hero Arts catalog or stamps and dream about them.

Now that's a true fan! If anyone in the Hero Arts marketing department is reading this, I recommend a photo Fika curled up asleep with her arms wrapped around her HA catalog! 

15. What’s your favorite stamping technique?

Cutting the images, coloring and layering… 

16. What do you find more satisfying - the process or the product?

I think both of them are related to each other. Good products and a good creative process equal an awesome result.

I sooooo agree!

❧

Check out more of Fika's art at her blog, her Flickr photostream and her Greeting Farm Gallery. And don't forget to check out her online shop!

Comments

[Fika]

oh my goosh Deborah.. you made me smile so big after very long and tiring day.. thank you so much for featuring me in your famous WW, i'm so thrilled and happy.
PS: about the pinkish stuff in my head, that's because i surrounded by everything pink or red as my fave collections and YES i still love the cotton candy too, ahaa!!! :)

[Ayana Posadas]

Wow... Great Post! :)
Fika's work is always so inspiring!

[Virginia L.]

SWEET SWEET Fika! Love her creations and personality! I chuckled many times just reading about this interview! I sure hope your dream come true someday for you, Fika (& Vera)-heehee! You did an awesome job, Deborah, especially the Indonesian geography and culture. That really give us a glimpse of life in Fika's world!

[Judy Jung]

Absolutely amazing work by Fika! Thank you, Deborah for the opportunity to learn more about Fika! She is an amazing artist and I love seeing her work.

[Tiffany]

Fika is one of my favorite artists, always so super inspiring and her projects are always so fun with her amazing 3-D elements! She's always so friendly and happy, who wouldn't want that type of person around always, she just makes everyone smile!!

[Susan McRae]

This was a fantastic interview with Fika, a great way to get to know her better!

The examples you showcased today are absolutely amazing! Fika is so creative and love how she uses colour!

[Jo]

Thanks for a great interview with the delightful Fika, she is so talented!!!! Jo x

[donna mikasa]

I absolutely LOVE Fika and the love and support she gets from Widya is apparent in her awesome work! What amazes me is how she uses recycled products that we often take for granted or toss, and uses it perfectly. Loved her interview! Thanks, Deborah and Fika!

[Marilyn Valadez]

Loved the peek into Fika's world! Thats what I love most about this group, is the communication with people from all over, it makes the world a lot smaller, and it's lots of fun! Loved the interview, and seeing some of Fika's beautiful work! Thanks ladies!

[Sally Sherfield]

Loved this interview Deborah, Fikas work is alway stunning and she definately thinks out of the box. Thanks for another amazing Wednesday Wonder!!

[Agata]

Woohoo! Thanks for this fabulous interview with fabulous Fika! So loved to know more about her! Thanks Deborah and thanks Fika! Your work is very inspirational!

[Trinh]

Loved learning more about Fika! Her creativity and attention to detail is unbelievable.

[Alice W.]

Fika's work and attention to detail is just amazing! not a lot of people will spend 8 hours on a card! no wonder she always turns out perfect projects! thanks for the awesome interview, Deborah and Fika! i enjoyed it!

[Vera Rhuhay]

Fika??? Absolutely, I love her unique creative style..and she is one of my favorite stamper!
She is a sweet person, friendly and humoris too :) Thanks so much for this wonderful interview Deborah, and Congrats to you my friend :)

[Heather Maria]

Thanks Deborah for your wonderful interview with Fika! I've always admired her creativity and amazing cards and projects. Loved getting to know a bit more about her and learning a lot about Indonesia too!

[Michelle]

So glad you featured Fika, I love her style. Super talented girl!!

[Kelly Booth]

I just Adore Fika...she is the Sweetest girl and such a Wonderful Stamper too.....Thanks for another Wonderful Interview Deborah....Loved hearing more about Fika!!

[Barb :)]

Such a nice interview, Deborah! Fika is a perfect Wednesday Wonder! So sweet and talented!! Her cards and projects always amaze me! So fun to get to know her a bit better! Loved it! :)

[jaemom]

So fun to read! Thanks, Deborah & Fika for another great interview! I also enjoy reading the "extra" questions to let us get to know the person a little better. Loved reading about you, Fika, and seeing your wonderful work!

[Arlene]

I love Fika's work and she is such a giving person. HUGS FIKA!