Artella Magazine - Issue 8
The Dreamworld: Night Sees The Day

Mega-Multimedia collaborations of words, art….and….music! This issue adds music to the waltz of words and art, as each pairing of writing and art is joined by a musical composition on CD, to truly make each page of Artella a dreamscape! The CD also contains audio recordings of three interviews with extraordinary, pioneering artists including SARK.

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" Marney Makridakis is a creative fountain, and her Artella site just vibrates with joyfull creative expression. She recently interviewed me, and I am so inspired by her and what she creates!" --SARK

Hear a clip of Marney’s interview with SARK:

SARK ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS

Q: Are you still living in the tool shed? Can I see a picture of you in your garden and what are you currently doing?

Yes, I still live happily in my “Magic Cottage” which was formerly a tool shed. When I am not happy, I am often resisting, avoiding or flailing around in some fashion. My garden is extremely overgrown with a wild tangle of ivy and old leaves. When I go into it, I step on snails by accident, which I can’t bear to do, so mostly I watch the garden from the wall of windows inside the cottage.

Jupiter, my large black cat, considers it his personal jungle. I would like to have a photo taken where my hair is made of ivy. I am currently sitting in my white chaise lounge in the top floor of my building (which is behind the Magic Cottage) handwriting these answers with a purple pen and waiting for the sun to rise o I can go back to sleep (I’m nocturnal).

Q: What happened to McNair?

I’ve written about Craig McNair Wilson in Succulent Wild Woman and a number of other books. We were “romantically involved” (I always think this is a curious description) for 5 years and now have evolved into a dear friendship. I also wrote about our breakup in “Transformation Soup” called “Brambles of Intimacy.”

Q: Could I work with you or for you?

You might not enjoy doing this since I am a pretty solitary worker, so you would rarely see me. I am also pretty demanding, thorough, organized, detail-oriented and request the same from the people I work with (except the demanding part!) Think I’m also good to work with in some other ways – we’d need to interview the people who have worked with me and those who work with me now.

Q: Will you be my friend and can I cook you dinner?

Since I’m still practicing the art of receiving, I would be shy about accepting dinner, but I like the idea. As far as friendship, it’s more mysterious and I’m always surprised at friendships and how they begin and end. I would say that I am already some kind of virtual or telepathic friend.

Q: Could you join me in Big Sur for a succulent wild weekend?

As long as it’s unplanned, serendipitous and when I’m already there. Perhaps we’ll laugh on the lawn of the Henry Miller Memorial Library, dance to the drummers at Esalen or spot condors flying from Nepenthe near the fire circle.

Q: Do you really come on the MMB and lurk?

I have decided that the web lexicon was invented without my participation, and I do not like the description of “lurker.” It sounds so sinister somehow. I like “listener.”

So, yes, I listen regularly and am always interested, inspired, amused, moved, challenged or motivated by what I find. I don’t post under an alias, mostly because I don’t know how to post!! But also because I think it’s unfair somehow. I haven’t spoken about this subject of listening because I don’t wish to inhibit anyone’s expression, but then I realize that any inhibition would be their choice. I’ve considered learning how to post as SARK, but then I would feel overwhelmed by attention. It’s an interesting conundrum. I am proud of our community and all that it has done and is doing in the world. I have lots of ideas for expanding and changing it, and I’ll be asking for your input early next year (or maybe earlier).

Q: Can you please come to my area and just hang out?

I’m a somewhat reluctant traveler and find so much to explore in San Francisco. I’m looking at having gatherings in the Bay Area. Would you like to come here and hang out?

Q: Do you journal everyday?

Absolutely not. I think too much journaling is a tyranny. I also don’t journal while writing a book. I do journal most days about what I am grateful for.

Q: What is your favorite music?

Anything that awakens or speaks to my soul. Some favorites:

“Rain and Mud and Wild and Green” by Christine Kane
“White Album” by The Beatles
“Sutras” by Donovan
“Walk on the Moon” (from the motion picture)
“Nomad Soul” by Baaba Maal
“Alone in the World” by Iz
“Ophelia” by Natalie Marchent

Help! I can’t stop listing them…

Q: What are your favorite movies?

Answer:
- Resurrection (with Ellen Burstyn)
- Beautiful Dreamers
- Black Stallion
- Once Around
- Enchanted April
- Roman Holiday
- Harold and Maude
- Sweet November (with Sandy Dennis)
- Auntie Mame (with Rosalind Russell)

Q: Will you scratch my back? I have an itch just on my left shoulder.

Of course!

Q: What did it have to take before you decided to reach out and go for it?

The alternatives were so dreadful – it seemed that I had tried them all. I honestly had tried to avoid my creative dreams in every way possible. Then I realized that I literally and truly had nothing to lose, and things couldn’t deteriorate any further…
Of course, things did get worse! Then I decided to devote myself to my dreams NO MATTER WHAT THE COST and see what that would produce. I was astonished by the riches inside. We all have these riches.

Q: How did you get over your eating disorder and will you be
my support buddy in recovery?

I am not over my eating disorder. In fact, it has been very active lately and it’s very painful. I seem to heal in spiral layers and am continually learning how to nourish myself. Consider me your virtual support person.

ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS
WITH SARK


Creating a Fun, Fabulous Career in the Arts
An Interview with SARK
by Molly Anderson-Childers
"Greetings, fabulous readers and fellow creative souls! I’ve long anticipated the day I would finally speak to a woman who has inspired me for years with her words and artwork..."
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Sacramento News & Review
October 2005
The Answer Is YES
by Becca Costello
SARK is here to greenlight your creative dream.
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Arts & Healing Network
March 2005
Creative Inspiration
by Danny Hobson
SARK shares her views on art, writing, healing and her latest book
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Life Makeover 2005
Pet Power: Knocked Down By Grace
by Cheryl Richardson
SARK talks to Cheryl about the transformation of her cat Jupiter
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Soul Food Cafe
Titans Meet at the
Soul Food Cafe
by Heather Blakey
An extraordinary interview with color-full, creative answers from SARK
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Inspired At Home
Living Juicy: A Creative Conversation With SARK
by Laura Barcella
Interview with SARK about her “Eat Mangoes Naked” book
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Balance Magazine
Spotlight - The Magic of SARK
Whimsy, Grace and Laughter
by Liz Sterling
Interview with SARK
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LifeChallenges.org
Succulent Creativity Can Heal Your Life, Part I:
A Two-Part  Interview with SARK
by Alissa Lukara
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Succulent Creativity Can Heal Your Life, Part II:
A Two-Part  Interview with SARK
by Alissa Lukara
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FemailCreations.com
Girl Talk
"Dinner with SARK!"
by Lisa Hammond
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