Artist Profile: Irina VanPatten

Name:

Irina VanPatten

Hometown:

Chisinau, Moldova

Current Neighborhood:

Twin Creeks

Your Medium/Craft:

Writing

Years doing your craft?

I have been writing on and off back home since I was a teenager but the first time my stories and interviews were published in the USA was in 2015.

How did you first get started in your craft?

I first started writing professionally at 16 for a local newspaper in the Moscow region. My uncle worked as a photographer there and he brought me in for an apprenticeship with the goal that I would eventually apply for college and work as a journalist or a writer. But the timing couldn't have been worse. That was during the height of censorship and right before the Soviet Union collapsed. It didn't take long for my dreams to go up in flames. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 90s, we all went into survival mode, and writing was out of the question.

Fast forward 30 years later, and after moving to America in 2002, the writing bug slowly came back to me but this time in English. So I had to start over as an American writer, essentially in my late 40s but armed with my life experience and with the knowledge of great Russian and Romanian literature behind me, that I am using as my assets in English writing to this day.

Favorite Artist(s) and/or Inspirations?

Because, I am pro-good, hearty belly laugh, I love writers who are full of joy and humor. David Sedaris comes to mind. Also, women-writers like Nora Ephron. Nia Varlados' dialogues in My Big Fat Greek Wedding are so hilarious and relatable! They are my inspiration.

Favorite Piece You've Created?

So far, my favorite book that I wrote is my memoir Mail-Order Family, which is a humorous recount of my journey to America that started with an online dating agency. It is a reflection on a historic sea change of events after the collapse of the Soviet Union through the eyes of a mother with two kids from Moldova put in one difficult situation after another. It swings between hilarity and comic relief and seriousness, addressing the gravity of the moment in an optimistic way with a never-give-up attitude. I am very proud of what I have accomplished with this book, especially after getting multiple positive feedbacks from my readers, many of them reaching out to me personally with words of encouragement and support to keep writing.

What’s the most challenging part of being an artist, or something you had to overcome?

At first, my biggest challenge in my writing endeavors was the language barrier but it also happened to be an endless source of running jokes because I kept misinterpreting things in the most hilarious ways. So, in the end, it became an asset. I can't tell you how many funny stories I have written just describing hilarious situations I put myself in just because I misunderstood what I was told.

How can people be supportive of the arts?

Support your local artists and local writers by buying their art and books. Leave reviews and comments and recommend their work to others. Be an advocate. It's also important for creative people to support each other, for writers to buy art, and for artists to buy books.

Favorite place in Everett to eat?

Emory's on Silver Lake is my go-to place because their menu is wonderful, and the ambience is nice and pleasant. Also, L'Artisan French Bakery has amazing pastries and cakes.

Favorite place in Everett to hang?

Everett Marina for the view. Silver Lake for the grandkids to play. I also use the Interurban trail behind my house almost daily. It's a good workout.

Favorite quote and/or words to live by?

For life advice: “Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny” by Stephen Hawking.

As a writer, I appreciate Anton Chekhov's quote: “If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the second act it should be fired.” It goes both for life and writing advice. It basically means: "Don't give people false hope".

What's next for you?

Right now, I am working on the sequel of my memoir Mail-Order Family because everyone wants to know what happened next. So, I am very fired up and excited to work on my new project!

Where can people purchase or see more of your art?

My website and Amazon.

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