Have you heard of Charleston based artist Teil Duncan?  I discovered her on instagram via the new explore page and in an instant fell in love with her work.  I love getting emails from readers letting me know something hit home with them, so I figured I’d do the same with Teil and let her know how beautiful I think her work is.  Not expecting a response!  and certainly not thinking she’d take me up on this q&a.  But Teil is just as gracious as she is talented!  Proving that a simple “hello” can lead to something wonderful.  Enjoy (:  

Hometown:  Columbus, GA

Current Town:  Charleston, SC

Teil in a few words: I’m a [hopefully] kind and loving procrastinator! 

Who were your role models growing up? Can a role model be someone younger? If so, my younger sister (by ten months). She’s one of the funniest people I know AND she has a huge heart for others in need. 

What inspires you? I get the most inspired when I see other creative people succeeding. It’s like a kick in the pant’s that says “you go get after it, too, Teil!!” 

What are you sipping on while you paint? SPARKLING WATER is what I’m sippin’ on. All day, every day. It’s a guilt-free treat that never looses its luster. Every time I hear that “ssss” sound of the carbonation bubbling from the twist-off cap, I’m giddy inside!

What does a normal day look like for you? Wake up around 7ish, consume a decent size breakfast, sip on coffee for about 45 min while I have a quiet time reading my bible or some Tim Keller. Then I catch up on emails, pick-up around the house, and off to the art supply store to grab a few fun items. It’s never a drag to visit the local “Artist and Craftsman” store. The people couldn’t be nicer, and there’s always fun new colors or materials to try out. After that, I’m off to my studio, Redux. My painting buddies, Lulie Wallace and Raven Wilson also share a space there, and just so happen to be amazing friends. I paint for about 5-6 hours, head home [and try] to exercise, and whip up some dinner with my sis. 

Favorite Verse: Phillippians 4:6“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the Peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

 Favorite Vacation Spot: Honestly, I live in a vacation destination so I rarely feel the urge to “get away”. If I wanted to mix it up, I’d go back to Hawaii in a heartbeat. It’s got beauty and adventure. I would definitely move there if it wasn’t so expensive to ship paintings from such a remote place. What makes you laugh hysterically? All if the “Between Two Ferns” interviews with Zack Gilifanakis (look them up, you’ll end up watching them all!) Also, my mom’s “Sam’s Club” membership card. The identity photo is so bad it’s makes me cry I laugh so hard- it never fails. She’s a very beautiful woman, but she looks like a frog in the photo. 

What’s your ten year plan?It’s amazing what opportunities open up in the art world, so it’s hard to imagine what would happen next. If someone told me a year ago that I would be paired up with Christian Siriano as a source of inspiration for his 2015 Resort Line, I would have been shocked. If I was going at this same pace in ten years, and add a family to the equation, I’d be pretty ecstatic.