Tell us about yourself.
Hi all. My name is Seth Apter, and I am a mixed-media artist from New York City. I came to the world of art later in life after a serendipitous meeting with another artist who ultimately became my guide, mentor, and friend and who completely changed my path. My initial career was as a Psychologist and at that time art for me was a hobby and a creative outlet. Over time, it became a bigger and bigger passion and eventually, I retired from my day job to become a full-time, working artist. Perhaps because my initial experience as a maker was so strongly connected to another person, my work has always been based on the concepts of community and collaboration. I truly believe in the power of creativity to bring people together.

I have never been the type of person who has wanted to spend hours alone working in my studio. So, in addition to making art, I have been fortunate to be able to spend a great deal of time as an instructor, teaching art workshops across the globe and online. There is nothing quite like the excitement of and inspiration from being in a room filled with creative people. I have also published two books with North Light Studios, which highlight the work, techniques, and minds of other artists. For a number of years, I have worked with multiple companies, developing product lines including stamps, stencils, paints, inks, embossing powders, and, most recently, fabric with FreeSpirit. Each time someone uses something I have designed, it feels as though we have collaborated on something new together.

My work is typically abstract and always layered and filled with details. I believe that more is more, there is beauty in imperfections, overthinking is the death of creativity, and we are all always only one layer away from magic. My artwork usually includes acrylic paint, inks, handmade marks, collage with paper or fabric, and hand-stitching. I also love to include text in my work, both for meaning and as a design element.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by so many things, but I think my biggest inspiration is place. Living in NYC offers endless inspiration, whether it be from the buildings and architecture, shop windows, people on the street, museums and galleries, or just the raw energy and buzz that I always feel. But I am equally likely to find inspiration on my travels and love to visit places outside of a city - mountains, lakes, beaches, forests, deserts, and the like. Each new visit brings a different flavor to my artwork. My favorite place to create away from home is in New Mexico in both Taos and Santa Fe. I am inspired by the culture, history, adobe buildings, and the very special light you find there.

Tell us about your fabric.
My first collection of fabric was recently released by FreeSpirit. This collaboration has been exciting every step of the way. My first collection is called Storyboard. I feel that we are all storytellers and that everything we make is a chapter. With each new creation, our own unique story unfolds. Storyboard tells my story. It reflects my journey, in all its layers. The designs are all from original work that I had made specifically for the collection or have made over time. It is a snapshot of my creative evolution. When I look at each of the 12 designs, I can vividly recall the artwork each is pulled from and the time in my life when it was made. I also feel that everybody who uses my fabric will be telling their own personal story in their makes, creating their very own Storyboard.

Photo: Storyboard

I have always used scraps of fabric and hand-stitching in my mixed-media work. Torn edges and red thread are my go-to. As such, I use my fabric in a different way than many. But seeing the wide variety of ways people have used Storyboard - for quilts, book covers, soft dolls, collages, bags, clothes, pillows, and home décor - has opened up my mind to so many possibilities.

Photo: Inspiration wall

What advice do you have for the new maker?
I would absolutely tell the new maker to focus on the joy of creating. There is so much happiness and personal expression to be found in making but that can get lost when we start to think of making as a potential career. Although most of us want a finished project and usually judge our work by that, the process of making stuff is the best part. It is natural to compare our work with others but it is more helpful to focus on yourself and to simply do your best to be the best creative you can be. Always stay true to yourself. Work toward finding your authentic voice but remember that this takes a long time. And that inner critic that might be hanging around? We all experience that - no matter our level of skill or talent. If you focus on the fun of art making, that critic can be tamed.