Cynthia Oliver's proverbial plate is piled high. In no particular order, she's a mother, professor, poet (with her body and on paper), dancer, an artist, choreographer...the list seems endless and demanding — yet she always appears calm and collected. On her website, a quote she wrote reads, "In my work I want to get dirty, acknowledge demons, hail the angels, tell secrets and celebrate conflicted, complicated, glorious lives fully lived." And oh — does she ever.

On that note, Smile Politely brings you Cynthia Oliver.

Consumed by: My passion for art, making it, performing in it, seeing it and talking about it.

Elise McAuley can be found dancing her little heart out in the ballet (she's been at it for 17 years), behind the camera or occasionally photo blogging on Things and Stuff. Write her an e-mail and her response will drip with color, sweetness and sincerity. These characteristics of her personality are definitely reflected in her photographs, which closely resemble the most candid elements of our society; her eye is trained to take in the emotion that most people omit in their everyday lives.

Now Elise opens up for Smile Politely.

Consumed by: Nostalgia, comfort and exoticism.

Anna Peters is usually the one behind the camera. The photo on the right is a part of her collection and it is how she is seen by others when taking photographs. But starting tomorrow, you will get to see a part of Peters that isn't always on display: her art. Art Coop will be hosting a show displaying her paintings, photographs, sculpture and installation, including other artists Maria Verdos-Petrou and Ryan Michael Fraser.

And now Smile Politely brings you a little more of Peters:

Consumed by: Constantly trying to stay on top of project deadlines while also being able to make time for my own work and sleep.

Both in and out of the office, Damian Duffy and John Jennings have an unbridled passion for graphic novels. One might call them fanatics, but really, they're professionals. Coming this Saturday, April 12, the two gentlemen will be at the Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St. in Urbana, for the library's Big Read series from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.




Interviewed separately, their answers are oddly similar in style and content. And perhaps that's why they have decided to collaborate on a number of works, including their newest graphic novel, which...well, I'll let you read for yourself.

And now, without further ado, Smile Politely would like to introduce you to Duffy and Jennings, for the longest "Consumed by Creativity" we will possibly ever run.

Amanda Paulson gives the viewer barely enough information in her imagery to define a specific time or place: it is almost ghostly and the majority of her work encompasses everyday scenes with strikingly banal tendencies. And yet, they are anything but bland. Next week, her newest exhibition, "Seeing the Unseen" runs at the Independent Media Center. It is a collection of paintings and collages for her BFA Thesis Show that re-examine the quietness of our Midwestern landscape and lifestyle, and asks us to be attentive to the visual commonalities in our all too familiar world. With her show about to open and only a few more weeks left of school (as if she wasn't busy enough), she answered questions for Smile Politely:

Consumed by: Arranging and re-arranging stuff. I'm obsessed — in my studio, in my paintings, in my room, in my relationships - everything must be just right!

DJ Delayney, or Douglas Layne to his friends and family, spins some of the best records in town. Growing up, inspired by his father and brother's penchant for music, Delayney came into his own and rooted himself in turntablism. Delayney gets frank and truthful, in no particular order, for Smile Politely about certain aspects of Champaign-Urbana. And if he comes into enough cash and conjures up "God's scheduling abilities," you will find me at his dream bill. I'll probably be passed out in the corner as well.

Age: 29 years and 12 months.

Occupation: Deejay/Event Producer/Graphic Designer. DJ Event Designer - should be my new DJ name.

Consumed by: Music!

If Jason Patterson isn't sleeping, he's probably painting. And if he's not painting, he's most likely at work. And if he's not at work,... well, you get the idea. Patterson is originally from Champaign, but has made his home over in Urbana and is a rabid artist. The ideas surrounding his paintings are bold, sometimes even verbalized through the use of font on the canvas but mainly, through repeated use of people, Patterson reveals humanity.

See for yourself:

Consumed by: Making work. It's all I do and all I spend money on. If I'm not doing the 9 to 5 at Art Coop, I'm probably at home painting.

Zsolt Bognar is from Urbana and his brilliance at the piano is stunning. This Sunday, Bognar will return to his hometown and perform at the Krannert Center. He ever so graciously answered a handful of questions for us about his time living here, his undying passion for music and the multiple roles he must play as a musician.

His answers below, resemble his performance style: nothing short of eloquent.

Consumed by: A constant desire to make my music-making more natural while finding more and more ways to communicate its ideas. Fixing problems immediately is always an obsession as well.

One thing you can't live without: My audience! Music is meant to be shared with others.

With places like Forever 21 or Urban Outfitters gobbling up artists' ideas and designs and calling them their own, originality seems hard to find these days. As I was feeding my craving for handmade jewelry online, I came across Bumblesea and instantly fell in love. Not only is the jewelry stylish and modern, it's also local. How delicious is that?

Designer Jennifer Morris pleasantly answered a few questions for Smile Politely:

Name: Jennifer Morris

Age: 20

Hometown: St. Louis, but my heart's in Champaign

Occupation: Jewelry designer

Consumed by: Making everything myself. Right now I'm in the middle of soap, a chair, two lamps and a mannequin. I nearly attempted making my own boots but I decided that I'd gone too far.