A few weeks ago I did a fantastic Q&A on 8Balloons! The owner of the blog, Julie asked me so many fantastic questions, I wanted to share a few of my favorites on here.
I think some of them were helpful to me as an artist, it’s good to think about our process, how and why we work sometimes and I hope that some of these are helpful to my followers as well.
Be sure to check out the original interview Part 1 HERE and Part 2 HERE.
– Why do you choose paper as your medium?
I’m a big believer in the fact that creative people don’t “choose” anything. They get chosen. I never decided to be a writer or a visual artist. It just drew me in and never let me go.
But why do I choose writing, journaling…words over anything else? Because moving my hand over the page, letting my fingers type, forming those sentences…it brings an inner peace. Visual art, namely art journal, excites me. I get messy and free when I work in my art journals, I get a huge smile on my face when I create an image that speaks to me. When I put words down on paper, whether they be my thoughts, lists, scribbles, a story, or a poem…I feel at peace and that I’m doing the right thing.
– How do you begin a “theme” for one of your pieces?
It really depends. For art journaling…sometimes I’ll pick a theme when I begin, I tried this when I was working on my 52 week journal. But since I didn’t finish the 52 weeks, I realize I don’t work well that way. Now, I just let it come for the most part. I do have common themes in different works. In my art journals, I tend to work a lot with the color yellow, and visuals of butterflies and birds. I have a huge fascination with the transformation and change. Not only that but butterflies are very personally symbolic to me, they represent my creativity, they are my freedom, they represent my artistic voice and my drive. They are my inspiration and my muse.
In my photography, my “theme” is usually nature or close ups. I also really enjoy “boring” images, as one of my professors described it once! I like photos that are quiet and soft.
When I write fiction, I most often write fantasy. Sometimes it’s high fantasy, sometimes it’s urban fantasy and other times it’s a mix of fiction/fantasy or sci-fic/fantasy. I like the imaginary…creatures and magic. It speaks to me and is very inspiring. When I write poems, I don’t really have a theme. Nature, or memories or change usually.
All my work somehow seems to tie together in the end.
My best suggestion when you are trying to pick a theme to work with…just sit down with a piece of paper and a pen (in a quiet environment with no computer, or tv) and just start writing words down. Memories, smells you like, philosophies that speak to you…anything. For the most part, it should just flow naturally. Such as: Driving, wind, family, camping, fire, movement, change, bug, dance, fly. The words will probably relate to each other, but have different meanings for each word. After you do that, look at the list. What connects them?
– Do you ever feel “artist’s block”, and if so how do you overcome it?
Oh yes. For the past almost 2 years I’ve had tremendous block off and on for all of the different art forms I do. In 2009-2010, I attended art school and majored in photography. I thought it was what I wanted to do and it might still be, but the school and I…just didn’t mesh. And it kind of gave me a major block. Although, I don’t know if I like the phrase “artist’s block”. A lot of the times I think it’s more that, as artists when we get frustrated, or critiqued harshly or aren’t progressing and learning like we want to…we shut down and don’t let the work flow. With writing and art journaling, I think it is so important to get back on the horse as they say. Sure, sometimes we need a break and it just won’t happen but if you start to journal, write just a little bit everyday at the same time…eventually it will get easier. Eventually the words, the visuals, the inspiration and the passion will come back to you and you won’t have troubles again.
I also think breaks are good. Don’t force it. But do force it. If that makes sense. If you know yourself well enough I think you will know if you honestly need a break from the words, from the journaling, from the art or if you’re just frustrated or sad or defensive and need to push through.
– Why do you love journaling?
I love art journaling because it is freeing. I sit down to journal and tell myself it’s okay to mess up, if something doesn’t work out, it’s okay. Because it’s for me, it’s therapeutic and lets me get my thoughts out and lets me be messy. I like to journal words because I have a huge love for words and thoughts. I enjoy…thinking. Which, I admit, sounds a bit odd. I love being in tune with my thoughts and emotions and the best way to do that is to write down everything. Journaling also helps flesh out ideas for art, blogging and stories.
– How do you start one of your journals?
Just do it.
This advice applies to so many things in life and I really need to take my own advice more in certain things. But if you’re struggling to put pen to paper, if you’re scared to ruin your brand new sketchbook or journal…just do it.
– Any small ideas you can include to help others create something small and from the heart to start out with?
Relax. Don’t force it. Go to the space that makes you the most comfortable. For me, it’s surrounded by my supplies, with coffee and music playing. Listen to something soothing, soul touching or soak in the silence. If you’re really struggling with writing down your own thoughts, pick a quote, song lyrics or a poem to start with. Copy it down in your journal or art journal and then just keep writing after you put down the quote.
– You are still so young, how have you found out how to be true to yourself, which you seem to do well
Hard question. I’ve always been very observant and aware of myself and others. I’ve always noticed in people things that annoy me, or that impress me and I have always been aware of how I feel and where my feelings come from. Like I said before, I really like to think so I’m always trying to think through what I want to do with my life, what my vision is for the future and how to accomplish those things. I don’t feel like I don’t 100% know myself and taking time off from college was a big part of figuring that out but even without knowing all about myself or how I tick, I think it’s important not to do anything that just feels wrong. If you start a piece of artwork or writing and you dread going back to work on it, or if you start something and can’t finish it…first take some time and think about it and you may just decide that it’s because it’s not right for you. If someone comes up to you and offers you a collaboration, but it just doesn’t mesh with you or your work…don’t agree to it. Life your life how you want to, create work you enjoy and cherish.
Book recommendations:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
♥ Part 1 and Part 2 of the Q&A on 8Balloons
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