Artist Interview: Maria Dryfhout

Today we interview Greeting Card Universe artist, Maria Dryfhout, who joined GCU in 2008.

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Maria, what drew you to join GCU?

So many friends and family members encouraged me to create cards using my images and verses. I finally took their advice. GCU offers a golden opportunity for me to sell my ideas.

Please tell us who you are, where you are, and what you do.

I live in Holland, Michigan. I am a wife, mother and a grandmother. I was let go from my job after having been there for 20 years. God slammed the door behind me that day and opened a whole new world to me through my camera lens. I thank Him now for doing that. I live in an area where there is so much to photograph. Lake Michigan beach, lighthouse, Dutch traditions, and nature are all around me. The four seasons in western Michigan are beautiful. I love creating and learning new photo techniques. Besides creating and selling cards, I also sell my images on 12 different microstock sites.

Vintage Hydrangea Birthday Card - Maria Dryfhout

What’s your favorite greeting card on GCU that you’ve created?

It is so hard to pick my favorite out of 1987 cards in my store. I do like the old-fashioned textured effect.

Where else can we find you?

You can find me on Facebook.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

How much time I spend on this computer.

How did you become a photographer?

Even at a very young age, I had a camera in my hand. My favorite subject back then was bears in the zoo. To this day, I still shoot bears. I am now learning that it is more than “point & shoot.” It is lighting, focus and subject.

What or who inspires you? And what motivates you to create greeting cards from your photographs?

I look at everything as a photo opportunity. The simplest things in life can be made into an image for a card. And I love sending cards to people. It lets them know that I am thinking about them. I  also believe that if you send a card… you start a smile.

Where do you find ideas for your work?

I find them all over the Internet and some just pop into my head. You have to think “outside the box”. Some days that is hard to do.

What tools do you use to create your work?

Cameras: Nikon D80, Nikon D200, Nikon L110.  Lens: All Nikon AF.   18-55mm  55-200mm  80-400mm  Micro60mm  Micro105mm. Adobe CS3, Adobe Lightroom2, LucisArt, Capture NX 2.

When and why did you start selling your designs as greeting cards?

Beside selling my images on microstock sites, I wanted them to go on cards. I knew there was money to made doing that. I began thinking about this concept in 2008.

What do you do to promote your greeting cards on GCU?

I buy my cards and give them to friends and family. In turn, they see my store link on the backside and order more.

 Is there a tip about GCU or promoting your GCU designs you’d like to share with other artists?

Try to be different… think “outside the box”.  Buy your cards and give them away.

Name three other GCU artists whose work inspires you or that you admire.

Trudy Wilkerson

Kimberly Palmer

Sher Kasper

Is there something you’re really proud of having done?

Raised two beautiful daughters who have now given me grandkids to love and photograph.

If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Not real sure…happy where I am at in life. Love making cards and money while wearing my robe and fuzzy slippers!

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Thanks for the interview, Maria! If you would like to participate in an upcoming Artist Interview, get in touch: gcucommunity(at)bigdates.com