Remember last week's post about artist Yvette Molina? Her gorgeous botanical paintings seemed to be a hit with all of you, so I thought you might like to get a little more information on this talented lady. Yvette was kind enough to sit down and answer a few of our questions about her art and influences.

CasaSugar: What neighborhood of Oakland, Ca, do you live in?
Yvette Molina: I live in the Grand Lake neighborhood near the Oakland Rose Garden.

To see a gallery of work and find out more about Yvette's work, just read more
CasaSugar: Do you feel that this area’s botanical and gardening tradition affects the way you paint its plants?
Yvette Molina: I grew up in the midwest where everyone had cement patios surrounded by lawns and hedges for a yard. No one I knew had a garden with flowers or any large variety of plants let alone a vegetable patch. Coming to live in the Bay Area as an adult was a complete inspiration. Having a garden to tend in an environment that allows for so many planting possibilities became an absolute infatuation that is very strong in me today.

CasaSugar: What other parts of California inspire your art?
Yvette Molina: I am always moved by the redwoods and by the fog. The Bay Area fog always seems to seep into my paintings.

CasaSugar: How did you stumble upon painting on aluminum?
Yvette Molina: I owe my introduction to aluminum to a wonderful Oakland artist and good friend named Chris Loomis. At his suggestion five years ago I began to work on aluminum and I have worked on nothing else since then. I love the reflective quality and the sharpness of it. Before I begin to paint, the raw aluminum looks like a slice of the sky resting on my easel.