![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG3RmA0Vo0nXZGp2Puv0IUom9g0QmMieotsYrcL4I4gLq6CZzIikx0i7aAwk535zImxLDsCOsKTsNHF5hCLy6qBNmAwIwPxrU1qet9Tp-rQVDrRVQ_JCgkThZMF1wzVT3mMtHjaNISUuC/s640/balloons-card.jpg)
![Méfiez-vous de la contrefaçon!](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/3990282048_7dfb299c4d.jpg)
Tell me a little about you and your shop.
I've always had varied interests. When I was younger some of my favorite subjects were art on the one hand, and physics on the other. I decided that it was easier to pursue art on my own, than it would be to attempt to be a modern-day amateur scientist. So I work as a marine geophysicist by day and printmaker by night. ;) What that means is that my profession involves building machines and going to sea to image what is below the ocean floor, which keeps the spatial-numerical left-half of my brain occupied. But I couldn't survive unless I kept the pictorial right-brain happy, so I need to create art.
![Enchantress of Numbers](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3550863299_e1eb42771c.jpg)
![Corelie in a tree](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2478186219_0a86f6a1d1_m.jpg)
Those classes at the AGO were a big influence on me. It's much easier to learn some things when you are a child. I think starting young was a great help to me. I've got more experience than I would otherwise. Also, I find that things like registration (lining up multiple blocks or screens in different colours to produce a multi-colour print) or never carving towards myself are now instinctive.
We have some great resources here in Toronto!
![Little Boat, Big Ocean](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2327053458_b8b69cc081.jpg)
On Vancouver Island, I did a workshop in paper-making by hand. Making paper by hand is meticulous and painstaking. It's not something I have done often, but learning about paper and how it's made was a really valuable experience. Paper can make all the difference to a print. The fibres in hand-made paper point in all directions. The fibres in machine-made paper are aligned in a single direction and hence, it is stronger in one direction than in the other, and if it gets wet it deforms asymmetrically. I love Japanese kozo paper, especially the handmade variety.
I also attended a "Moku-hanga Woodblock Printing Bootcamp". Anyone who has carved wood might understand why it's called bootcamp - this is hard physical labour! I learned a lot which I apply to my lino block prints.
I feel like Childhood and Wonder are major elements in your work. Why do you think that is?
![natural history all](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/4053392577_718a9ec5fe.jpg)
I also feature characters from the history of science, which is all about wonder.
![Unicorn amongst umbrellas III detail](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/3884573218_11b5a4dedf.jpg)
I guess my work throws all of these things together.
What 3 skills or traits do you think makes you such an exceptional printmaker (well, I think you are exceptional!) ?
![jelly](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3352200846_de2c2b51aa_o.jpg)
Um, well, I'm focused and stubborn, I have good dexterity, and I'm an experimentalist, all of which are very useful traits for the scientist too. Being focused and stubborn, means I am willing to put in the time and attention to detail. For me this is the right way to prepare an experiment or a lino block. Carving is a skill. It takes practice, but having flexible fingers is lucky. Being an experimentalist means that I have good problem-solving skills and a willingness to try different things to make the image in my head a reality. I pull a lot of proofs as I carve and am willing to change direction and vary my plans. I experiment as I go.
You’ve been creating and selling for a long time compared to some of us. What advice do you have for new crafters/artists or people who are new to Etsy?
I've been creating a long time, but only selling for a couple of years. In terms of creating my advice would be to try! Create what you want - experiment until you find what you enjoy and what works for you. Don't sell yourself short or make barriers for yourself. I'm a big believer in the handmade movement and buying local. Etsy is a great venue to allow buyers and sellers to find one another and avoid the mass produced. I think the main thing to recognize for a new Etsy seller is that it takes time to build up a clientele. Finding a group or street team of like-minded individuals, a community within Etsy, is really useful. Don't neglect to read FAQs and check out some of the great off-site tools like craftcult, craftopolis, and Google Analytics.
What’s next for Minouette?
![Copernicus: De revolutionibus](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3037/2824807747_49aca72747.jpg)
Check out more of minouette's work in her shop. You can follow her blog on either LJ or Blogger. Her flickr photostream is here. You can also follow minouette on twitter. She also writes magpie & whiskeyjack where she gathers favorite things.
Interviewed by anotherangle, November 13 to 16, 2009.