Q&A with Wasilla alcohol ink artist Deborah Lestenkof

PALMER— Wasilla mother, alcohol ink artist, and small business owner Deborah Lestenkof participated in a question and answer interview to discuss her craft and general creativity.

Q: How long have you been running Deb’s Creative Paws?

"About seven years.”

Q: How long have you been making art?

"I’ve been making art most of my life. My parents are artists… It was my dream to be an artist. I’ve always wanted to create… I took art classes and started getting out there… It just started taking off. I started going to shows and just sold out.”

Q: What’s that like?

"I still don’t think of myself as a painter, but I think of myself as a creative person... I think we all have different interests and I think I found my own little thing… I found that it was very cathartic...”

Q: Do you think all people have creativity inside them?

"Oh yeah. I get so many people who say they don’t have a creative bone and their body and I say, ‘let’s find out…’ And I watch them transform… I realized I can use art to help people... it became a lot more to me than selling art. I think that really following my voice to do that has really helped me… We just need to break it down and realize we all create. Anyone can do it. It's just pursue your passions and keep working on it.”

Q: Why alcohol ink?

“I’m a very perfectionist kind of person... when I tried alcohol ink I found you really have to go along with it and find the beauty in it; and I think that helped a lot with my attitude in life in general.”

Q: When did you move to the Valley?

“I moved out here about 7 and a half years ago. It was so welcoming…. When I came out here I met so many creative people. I think everybody in the valley is off the beaten path and a little quirky and I fit right in with that.”

Q: How would you encourage upcoming artists?

“I would just say throw it out there until it sticks... you don’t have to have an art degree... you will find your tribe.”

For commissions or more information about Deb’s Creative Paws, visit the official Facebook page or email debba@mtaonline.net.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Manna at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com