Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Morgan Torres

Hi guys

Happy Tuesday

Fantastic inspiration of an artist interview here today,

Happy TAT read =)

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I have been drawing and painting since I could hold a crayon in my hand. I would spend hours as a child creating cards and pictures for every family member for every holiday or just any occasion I deemed necessary. I remember getting art supplies for my 10th birthday and being so excited for all the things I knew I could create. I took art classes over and over as electives in high school and by my senior year my instructor let me skip all the mundane assignments and let me spend the year completing really good finished pieces. I carried this mentality with me through college courses, turning every assignment into a finished painting. I was a psych major taking art as electives to fill unit requirements. Every instructor begged me to switch majors but at the time art degrees with career potential were all heading towards graphic design which was not my interest at all. I went from college straight into the work world and found little to no time to paint and only painted a handful of things over the next 8 years. When I stepped out of the work world in 2013 to raise my two children, I immediately started getting commission after commission. It was perfect timing. I was at home with two babies and could paint during naptimes. I spent the last two years getting established online while I continued to create. I am now accepting more commissions than ever before and am getting my art out into the world. I am finally doing what I love. 

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
I have for years taken on the challenge of photo realism in my art. I think it is hardest to paint something as it appears in real life. The greatest compliment is when someone thinks my art is a photograph. The shock on their face when they learn it's a painting makes me smile every time. The drawback in that is that I don't feel I am balanced as an artist in more organic natural design. Sure I can turn out any style of art, but at times I don't feel original. I don't let it discourage me from creating what I want to create. There will always be a critic and the worst one is yourself. 

What is your heart’s greatest desire for your life as an artist?
I want to get more of my art out into the world. I want to do what I love to do and if it can bring me some income that would be fantastic. If I could make a living off of it that would be phenomenal. I absolutely love doing commissioned pieces and turning someone's vision into reality. I have had clients ask me how I was able to get in their head and see what they needed me to create for them. I want to evoke emotions in people that only a painting can, whether it's painting a favorite place of theirs or painting an image they have had in their minds but can't put it on paper themselves. In the meantime, I will keep painting what I love and want hanging in my home and if that can turn into print sales that is awesome! Someday I would love to see my work printed on cards, magnets, mugs, t shirts, you name it, I want my work in gift shops. I have several paintings I want to create this year working towards that goal. 

What advice would you offer to any perspective new artist?
The greatest advice I can give is, don't be afraid of color and don't be afraid to mess up. I credit two instructors in my school years with that. One made me see that you should never be afraid of color. She taught me how to look at the world in color. The grass isn't always green, sometimes it's purple, sometimes it's red. You have to dissect the image into shapes and colors and don't be afraid to paint that way. Another instructor taught me the importance of "happy accidents." Those moments when your work takes a turn and you think you have "messed up" when indeed you have created a happy accident by changing your perspective. Art is in the eye of the beholder. You will come upon many critics in your life that will slam you and try to bring you down. You have to persevere and do what makes you happy as an artist. I don't ever want to look back and wish I had painted something I didn't because someone told me I wasn't original. Your hands are creating it, so therefore it is original, whether you are imitating another artist or doing your own thing. Go, live, create, inspire! 

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?
I have utilized social media to promote my work over the last couple of years. I am on Instagram @morganbryndesigns and I post everything I am working on in any creative aspect. I also have a Facebook dedicated to all my paintings and crafts you can find by searching "Morgan Bryn Designs" on Facebook and one that is solely dedicated to my crochet work by searching "Morgan Bryn Crochet Creations." I have an Etsy shop where I sell a lot of crochet work and prints of my paintings. I am always accepting commissions and when you look at my Instagram you can see that I dabble in a little bit of everything. I am happiest when I am creating. I cannot sit idle. If every chore is done and it's time to rest, I cannot just rest, I have to keep my hands busy creating something

Thanks so much for being a TAT interviewee Morgan. I have been feeling really lethargic this week and just not wanting to do any art or anything arty (in truth including TAT, as I've felt so uninterested in anything remotely related to art everything, even those things I really love, has been included in that) but your interview has really brightened me up and shifted that energy. Your story relating to building your painting time back up and creating a business out of it during naptime I find very inspiring, as I'm sure many others will too. Thanks for sharing, I'm enchanted especially by the first painting you shared.

Want to join in as a TATer??

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Miss Petra

Hello!

Toosday = TAT Artist Interview Day

...so here is one

Enjoy =D

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
Hi, I’m Petra and I’m 47 years. I live in the Netherlands and I’m married for almost 28 years now. I have 3 children, 27, 24 and 23 years old. I've painted for about 7 years now but the last 2,5 years it became serious. The first 5 years I painted abstract, once a week just for fun. But then I got sick, COPD ( lung disease ) and I could not work anymore. As I had worked from the age of 16 I had a really difficult time with the not working part in my life. I felt really lost and didn’t know what to do with my time. Then the magic came into my life, I was surfing the internet/YouTube and I found the very first Art video, Mixed Media Art and it was from you Jenny… I immediately was so inspired by what I saw. From that day on I was totally obsessed ;-) . It really helped me psychologically to overcome the depressed feelings I had over the not be able to work in my life. It brought me a lot of beautiful artsy friends online.. and I love it. I did a couple Art courses and I painted every day. I learned a lot! I still don’t know exactly what kind of artist I am. I love to work with different supplies, paper etc. I most certainly are a Mixed Media artist. My biggest passion Is to paint faces, I really love to do the girls! I guess I’m still not sure what kind of artist I am ;-)

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I face is without a doubt my perfectionism. When I do faces I really are a perfectionist… How do I overcome it: I do 2 different kind of faces, 1, the really beautiful ones, the ones that I work on for hours and hours. For those faces I did not find a way yet to overcome my perfectionism. I really love this Asian girl above ( I did make her during a course I did with Christy Sobolewski, painted faces 2. She is one of my favorite teachers) The second type of faces I do are Whimsy faces. I really like to do the Whimsy girls because everything is allowed.. nothing can go wrong! This kind of faces I learned by following a course was the Whimsy girl face from Tamara Laporte and I love it! What really helps is that I do Life Book this year and I really learned a lot especially to loose up! I still need to learn a lot to overcome my perfectionism but that’s OK. Another challenge for me is to find my own style, what do I like, What is it that gives me a great feeling… I’m truly having a difficult time finding my own style. I love to do so many styles, so many MM things and I find so many thing very great to do. What I do know is that painting faces is the thing that I really like, I really like the Mixed Media style, to be able to work with lots of different stuff and colors. But I don’t know MY style yet. I just keep on painting and I trust that my style will come my way.

What advice would you offer to any perspective new artist?
As I’m myself are a reasonably new artist, I really overcome a lot of fear of not being good enough. I’m a perfectionist so I do know how difficult it is to not tell yourself that you are not good enough.. but please, lovely artist, you are good enough, all the great artist where ones beginners! Just keep on practice and share your work in really great and supporting groups on Facebook or any other Social Media. Try to have fun in what you do, don’t stress about it. Just keep on playing and the more you practice and share the more you overcome fears. Here’s one of my very first faces ( 2.5 years ago ). I’m so glad that I didn’t throw these away

This is one of the girls I painted recent :

What is your heart’s greatest desire for your life as an artist?
My hearts greatest desire for my life as a artist is that I find my own style.. I really want that. I hope that I can paint faces and Mixed Media Art for the rest of my life. I hope that it will gives me always the relaxed feeling that it gives me today.I hope that I can inspire people with my art. I hope that one day I can create a course to help “ Newbie Artist “ . I hope that Art always makes me happy. I’m really proud of what I have achieve the last 2 years. I hope to develop and grow as an artist the next years. I can’t imagine a life without Art any more!

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?
Let’s be Friends. Here's my Facebook, International Facebook group for Artsy friends around the world:  My good Art friend Juna Biagioni started this group and I’m one of the administrators of this wonderful supporting international group. Love to see you there. I also have a new Youtube channel. I just published my first 2 videos about how I shade my Whimsy girls & finally my Blog (still working on it.. but i love to you there)

Hi Petra, thank you for sharing your journey and your art. I like the fact that you are proud of what you have achieved in two years. Rather than always being focused on where we are going, I think we all need a dose in remembering (and precisely for the purpose of reveling in...) how far we have come. For myself I just a shot of this and created a new video (I'll insert it below) for Journal Workshops as that has come SO far in only year I felt I needed to update the welcome message to reflect where we are now; that feeling of change and growth is just *pure awesome*, and should be reveled in.

It's always the journeys that are the cool part, 
never the destination. 

If you are not already a member of Journal Workshops you can sign up here:
Jennibellie's Art Community

Do you want to be featured in an interview here?

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Teresa Cash

Hello!!

Hi there!

Yolo Rolo! (...I dunno, just started saying that recently!)

I'm here!!!

It's Tuesday and I'm here woohoo!

That means it's Tell All Tuesday Artist Interview time!! YAY!

I've not been online much the past couple of weeks but I'm back now, and so I've got an awesome artist to introduce you to, in her words a lovely 'late bloomer', enjoy =)

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?
Hello…my name is Teresa Cash. I am a self-taught mixed media artist. I will readily admit that I am a creative Late Bloomer. I was 58 yrs. old when I finally let my creative spirit out. I did not know that I could draw or paint until that warm August day in 2011. I had no idea which direction to go but I was committed to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving. Knowing that eventually I would find my way. There has always been a small voice within my soul urging me to move out of my comfort zones and face my fears to realize my true creative potential yet for one reason or another I ignored the urgings. I was convinced there were logical reasons for me to stay in my nice little world. Yet I knew deep in my soul I yearned for more. I just hadn't realized how strong my desire was until I took that first step. Most of my art is thought provoking or delivers an inspirational message all of which comes from my heart to you.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
I believe my biggest challenge I face as an artist is overcoming the fear of being judged. It disguises itself in many forms so it often goes undetected. The more I stay focused on my reason for creating art, which is to inspire others, the less I care about being judged. When I know that I am doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing, fear has no place to reside. 

What is your greatest personal achievement either in your art, or because of it?
My greatest personal achievement in my art happened recently. (the detailed story can be read on my blog) I was working on a piece that I was extremely excited about. I felt it was going to be my signature piece-the one that would identify me as an artist. On the 3rd day was my final step, to glue the pieces onto a canvas. I did that and left it out to dry over night. The next morning I enthusiastically went to get the piece. I was utterly surprised to see the entire piece was ruined. It had bubbled all over it. I was really bummed out! Fast forward several days – there was a series of events that occurred to transform what was a negative into a positive. That piece is so personal to me and it carries a message that speaks to the very depth of who I am. As it sits on my inspiration shelf, nestled onto a small easel, it will serve as an ever present reminder to be brave.

Do you think you have achieved a uniquely recognisable style as an artist, or do you find it a struggle to find your own style?
Right now one of my biggest quest is to establish my style as an artist so that my work is recognizable. I am confident it will happen as long as I keep searching. I enjoy working with joint compound. There is so much you can do with it. And the texture is awesome. My second favorite medium to use is hot glue. This one I have been using for awhile but it still throws me a curve ball from time to time. Then there are those pieces that rock. I LOVE these flowers. There is so much depth to them. I am discovering that one of my strengths is drawing, particularly females. As with life – being an artist is a work in progress and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.

Follow my creative path on my blog. You can purchase my art on my website. Come LIKE my FaceBook page. I host a blog site where I share other stories about creative Late Bloomers. I’d love to share your story. 

Thanks so much for sharing Teresa, I loved your stories and especially your line 'when I know that I am doing exactly what I am suppose to be doing, fear has no place to reside' it reminded me of a quote I think you'd like if you haven't come across it already 'When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid' Audre Lorde. I've heard of many versions of this, from many different voices and I think they are all so right, when you focus on what your are doing, then you and your feelings are longer important in sight of what you are creating. I would also recommend anyone to check our your Late Bloomers blog as it is filled with some truly awesome work and stories shared from other creative Late Bloomers (plus'Give me a slow beginner and I'll show you a winner' is the tag/under-title line which I LOVE, that's reason alone surely?!)

Do you want to see your work here?

To be featured email me or find all the details here =)

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Consie Sindet

Hello beautiful creative being you, 

Welcome to today's Tell All Tuesday Artist Interview

I hope you enjoy this interview

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are. 

My name is Consie Sindet and I live in Hunterdon County, NJ, USA. I have been married for over 17 years to my husband, Lee. What kind of artist I am has changed over the years! I’ve painted for a long time and sold craft items for about 12 years. I’ve also taught decorative painting and painted murals in both homes and businesses. I currently spend a huge amount of the summer as a face and body painter and apply henna at fairs. My newest love is the world of mixed media and art journaling. I got my first sewing machine last year and have been painting large pieces of canvas to sew into purses and other items. I just like to try everything!

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
Trying to make a living as an artist is my current struggle. When I was teaching, doing craft shows and painting murals, I worked full time. But with the downfall of the economy, that wasn’t an option any longer. Art is now pretty part-time for me but this year I am embracing that it might not be time to be selling art but just creating art for art’s sake. I want to enjoy the process and not get so caught up in trying to find something to sell! I feel like I am reinventing who I am as an artist and I need time for that to develop in order to make money at it. It will come in time.

What is your greatest personal achievement either in your art, or because of it?
I think the achievement I’m most proud of is what my students accomplished in their art as a result of what I taught them. Some sold at craft shows, some went on to teach others. I loved making a difference in their lives. I would like to teach again but have to find a different way of doing it now that my art has changed from what I use to teach. I know what art has done for me. I would love to bring that to others.

What is your heart’s greatest desire for your life as an artist?
This question goes back to teaching and finding my way back to that. I got burnt out after 10 years and so I need to find a new way to help others find there way with art without losing me. My greatest desire would be to have my art mean something and also give me a paycheck! I’ll just have faith that that is the path I’m on and keep reaching for it!

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art? 

I have a blog where you can find out about my creative journey, and a website for the face and body painting. I am very active on Instagram and you can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Etsy and Society6.

Thanks for sharing Consie I really enjoyed your art & hearing your story. I've been hearing lately from a few artists who are wanting to create meaningful art that too brings them a paycheck and I have to say there is one common thread I have noticed - faith and determination, which makes me believe you will succeed. Wishing you all the best with your creative endeavors.

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Much love

Jennibellie

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Anja Voigt

Hello beautiful creative, 

Welcome to today's Tell All Tuesday Artist Interview 

I hope you find this super inspiring & have an awesomely artistic Tuesday to boot =)

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I am a mixed media artist and art journaler, living in Germany, Berlin. I learned to be a pattern- designer as a profession. My passion is painting and drawing, but I also like to write, so art journaling was an easy step for me. I struggled a long time to follow the path of an artist, because I made a lot of compromises on my way. I thought I need to help people, heal people, which is awesome, too, I guess. So I studied art therapy, but didn't finish that. I also learned how to educate children, but after while I felt that making art or being an artist is the essence of what I really want to do, although all of these things had to do with being creative and such. I never wanted to admit to myself to be that selfish, lol, because I had very altered expectations of myself. I always felt this unrest. I find myself still in a process of unveiling who I really am, inspite of all the expectations from others, my parents etc. etc.and being ok with what is showing of my real personality. I love to learn new things, because I can get easily bored. I do not like to make an identical reproduction of my work, for example. It always needs to be a bit random.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
I think the biggest challenge would be to create something totally abstract. A picture without any visual motive, like a figure or something. I sometimes find that motives in my art are just like alibis to put color into a certain corner of the Picture. I didn't overcome that, yet. Another challenge is my pickyness. I sometimes see little flaws everywhere on my art and keep on working and working. I overcome it with a gut feeling that I should stop now and leave the rest to the observer and mostly it makes me stop.

What do you find easiest / hardest in your art?
It is easy for me to make my stuff look good and to be quick, which I learned as a pattern designer, but that does not always support my artful expression. You know... art does not have to do with beauty all the time. To me the beauty in art is the true and honest authentic expression, that has nothing to do with the used materials,  the quality of materials or the skill of the artist. That is why we find a painting of a child so beautiful, because of its simple, honest and unpersuasive expression.
Art can be also destructive or just an impression that you cannot push away, that is stuck in your memory and works from there.

Do you think you have achieved a uniquely recognisable style as an artist, or do you find it a struggle to find your own style?
I find myself at a point, where I have arrived at a certain style I think, but it is still like a fragile little plant that needs to be supported. I found that hard, but the solution to achieve your own style is just to keep on creating, every day a little. Don't back down! You Need to Keep it up! One stroke a day!

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?

Right now most of my stuff gets posted on facebook under my name Anja Voigt. All the other stuff, like society 6 and such is in the making. I have a youtube channel called reginaangel. I just started to paint bigger canvases with what I created in my art journals.

Thanks for sharing Anja I really enjoyed your art & insight. 'One stroke a day!' is ringing soooooooooooooooooo true with me right now! That is a path I've been on for a few months and shared a little on here in 'My Daily Journaling Practice' blogpost. I feel it's soooooooo important to do, even when we aren't in the mood and no masterpiece is coming to just do that one brush stroke! Thanks so much for your interview Anja, wishing you all the best with your creative endeavors.

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Much love

Jennibellie

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Mel “Bunny” Sparkles

Hello!

Hope you've had a fabulous start to February?

I have, what with 48 new gel pens on sale, snowstorms, the awesomeness that was February's Monthly Challenge and now I have TAT! What more could an arty girl ask for??

I hope you enjoy this inspiring interview

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
My name is Mel “Bunny” Sparkles. I have always been a creative person, but only in the past several years have I considered myself an “artist”. I have enjoyed all sorts of creative and crafty pursuits over the years, but it wasn’t until the last 4 years or so that I began seriously working at art. As a child I wrote plays, made costumes, and did lots of daydreaming. As an adult I continued my various creative pursuits off and on through the years. Over the past decade I’ve grown more and more dedicated to my creativity and it’s currently the most important aspect of my life. My primary art form is painting (mostly with acrylics). I also enjoy sewing, crochet, book making, and many other fun creative things.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
My biggest personal challenge in life and in art is chronic illness. A few years ago I became very ill with an autoimmune disease. Being chronically ill and experiencing severe chronic pain means that I have limitations in my life and abilities. I am not always able to create art when I want or need to. I cope with this by remembering to be grateful for the times I can create…remembering to really savor those times. The times when I can not create due to illness and/or pain I remind myself that it will pass and I will most likely have another chance to create again. Nothing in life is permanent…not the good times and not the bad times. It’s really been one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about life…savor the good times because they don’t last forever and don’t get caught up in the suffering of the bad times because they don’t last forever either.

What is your greatest personal achievement either in your art, or because of it?
The greatest thing I’ve achieved with my art is bringing a very rich and consistent source of joy into my life. I have a life long history of debilitating depression and anxiety. Art is something that brings me a lot of joy. It’s been my best “therapy” and a wonderful method for coping with life challenges. This is why art is the most important thing in my life…it’s critical to my health, happiness, and well being. 

Have you ever found anything that originally daunted you as an artist that you can now overcame easily?
Early on in my art making I would be afraid to “waste” my “good” supplies. I would often avoid using my good/expensive/special supplies for fear of “wasting” them by making art that wasn’t “good”. Essentially I was afraid of failure and didn’t want to feel I had wasted money on top of “failing” at art. So, I collected a lot of supplies for a long time, but used very few of them. It’s funny to look back on it…how did I expect to grow in skill and as an artist if I wasn’t willing to use my supplies?! How did I expect to grow in skill and as an artist if I wasn’t willing to “fail”, to make mistakes?! One day I decided I was finally going to use some of the polymer clay I had been saving. I took out a package and it was rock hard. I had waited too long and the product was unusable. It was just what I needed to snap me out of that fear of failure. I realized I could truly waste my supplies by continuing to postpone using them, until they all ended up expired/unusable OR I could “waste” them on art projects that might (or might not!) be “failures“. I realized that no matter how badly I might “mess up” a project…it was a far greater waste to let supplies go unused than to use them up while I was learning. I no longer fear “failing” at art. For one thing, it’s impossible to fail at art. Art is a personal expression of humanity, emotion, perception, and more. It’s not possible to “fail” at expressing one’s experience of life-just not possible. Also, I see mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow-which is what they truly are!! 

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?

You can find some of my crafty type work in the book “Microcrafts” 

Thanks so much Mel “Bunny” Sparkles, I really enjoyed your art and story. Your answer to what originally daunted you that you now overcame was awesome! I recently did a blogpost where I mentioned that I've been investing heavily in supplies - I've brought more 'proper' paints, pencils, pastels, tools, books etc than I would ever have allowed myself to believe I was 'allowed' before. Like so much in art I think it is truly about giving ourselves permission....permission to play with these expensive products, permission to mess up, permission to express ourselves! Let's give ourselves permission (& whenever we hear a niggly non-permission voice come in ponder this: if you don't give yourself permission to go where your creativity wants you to go in that moment in time how will you ever reach or know your fullest potential?....art food for thought!)

Do you want to be a TATer??

To be featured email me or find all the details here =)

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Paula Haynes

Hello, hope you've had an awesome start to this week

(can you believe it is the last week of January already? seesh)

It's tuesday yay! so here's your weekly artist interview inspiration hit, enjoy!

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
Hello, I am so excited to be apart of this great ,"Tell All Tuesday". Let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Paula Decker Haynes and I am married with one son and two daughters. I have five grandchildren and a sixth on the way. I reside in a small town where my husband and I own and operate a small business. I run a small Primitive Decor and craft shop which I am changing out to have an art studio where I will be able to teach more art classes.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges with my art is simply having time to do it. I start a piece and something comes up either with the business or an illness in the family and there goes my time to do art. Because I have fibromyalgia I have to get plenty of rest so sometimes it really is a challenge to find the time I need to get into my art. I have learned over time to relax with it. To just do it when I can and trust my gut to go where I need to when I can spend time creating. I have learned to just enjoy the process and that has made a huge difference for me.

What messages do you try to portray in your work and do you feel that you achieve it?
I want to convey who I am through my art as well as who I want to be, the things I like and places a would love to go to. I am a follower of Jesus and although my painting rarely mention him or my relationship with him, I hope that it shines through in my art presentation. 

What advice would you offer to any perspective new artist?
I would suggest that you just get some basic supplies, good ones because they do make a difference and just have fun. Try to get in a group on facebook or online that is challenging you to try something at least once a week or everyday if you have the time. Join in an art studio if you have one near you. It will keep you motivated and you will be with others who will give you encouragement. Lastly just have fun. Every time you create it may not be a masterpiece but you will learn and grow and it is so therapeutic. It has gotten me through some really difficult times.

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?
I have a couple of Facebook pages, an etsy shop and my brick and mortar shop where my art can be found. Paula's originals and My Fathers House on Facebook and Etsy. My shop is at 207 E Main St., Clarkson,Kentucky. 

Thank you for sharing your story and some of your art with us Paula, what you said about following your gut...that is something I totally agree with and have just flowed into in almost all I do recently, but most especially art. What I will say is there is always reasons why we don't have as much time to do art as we'd like (I hear it on here all the time and if I ever mentioned how much doing admin for my art - for instance all the emails I get, work on my art community or etsy shop etc - cuts into my time for doing art, I think people would be really, really shocked) but please see any time you have to take out for your business as a wonderful thing, because oh my goodness your shop is adorable and something that I think many of us crave for. One of my own personal dreams is to have a physical space like so to teach in etc so sincerely well done and I really hope you love your new teaching space when it's complete (would love to see some finished pics?!)

Do you wana join the TATiness ... ???

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Ditte Villadsen

Hey hey Happy Tuesday

Here is the first TAT of the year =)

I am starting this fabulous Artist Interview series back up after all the holidays and busy start to the new year, so if you want to be featured click here for the details

Enjoy this weeks interview xoxo

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I am 24 year old woman living in Denmark, near Copenhagen. It has taken me years to figure out what the important things are in life, my life. I allowed myself to be more creative, for instance I have always been a writer – mostly at heart, but I have always loved it. Telling a story, getting captured and sucked into a world my head has created. I decided to let myself be that person, instead of what my parents and society expected from me. A year after realizing that my life needed to change I started to paint - and I loved it from the first brushstroke. It was a way to deal with my emotions, especially at the time, when I dated a man who gave me more grief than happiness. I eventually got rid of the man and kept on painting. I paint my emotions in an abstract kind of way, often I add a figure like a heart – which seems to stick with most of them. I often begin with one idea and end up with something totally different. That’s what I like about painting. I give myself permission to go nuts with colors and brushes, also because writing is way more controlled. It has a form and rules, where abstract painting is whatever you want it to be – and often others see something totally different than you do.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
I am very new in the art-world, so you could call me a newbie, and I have no training in art of any kind. The last time a teacher taught me anything art-related was back in middle school. Years ago. I remember close to nothing, but lack of training doesn’t change the fact that I love to paint and to experiment with it. I prefer finding my own way, than to be taught a hundred ways to do it “right” - that doesn’t make it more me. But - yes there is a but - being new in this “game” can be tricky, nobody knows you, and why should they care? How do I get my art out there to the world to see? Creating a blog has been the answer so far, I needed to start somewhere and with time my art and my words will get out there. You have to believe in yourself, so that is what I try to remember – and also not to forget why I started painting in the first place.

What is your heart’s greatest desire for your life as an artist?
It is without a doubt being able to make a living out of my art and my writing. Maybe one day open a Gallery with my own artwork and others, maybe with a bar/café. I am a woman with many ideas, but being able to do what I love and getting paid for it is on top of my wish list.

What is the best thing that art has brought into your life?
Art has brought me meaning, a new way of dealing with things without using words, hope, love - in a way and happiness. Art makes me appreciate life a bit more than before. Art makes mistakes seem less important – I can always find a way to make it work. Art has just brought a lot of good things to my life.

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?

You can read all about me and my art on my blog

I write in English to embrace most readers as possible. Denmark is a small country and who knows if Germany or Japan would love my art? This way I have a chance to find out. Beside from the blog I try to stay active on other social media like Facebook and Instagram, which is quite apparent on the blog.

Thank you Ditte for sharing your story and art. I love what you said about trying 'not to forget why I started painting in the first place' that I think is an issue for so many of us, especially when the inner critic begins chipping in I have noticed. I think that has just really helped me connect a couple of dots I have been working with lately re: the inner critic so thank you for that and for your interview, good luck with your art and writing endeavors x

Do you want your name in *l*i*g*h*t*s*??...kinda...

To be featured email me or find all the details here =)

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Tracey Lee

Hi guys

last tuesday of November HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?? lol

but it is tuesday so here's a fab artist interview for you - check out these bears, I'm in love!!

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I have always found it hard to put into words what kind of artist I am. I love all mediums and I like to try everything. I never follow patterns or rules, I just see an image in my head and go for it. I have had no formal training. Like most kids I learnt how to knit and sew before starting school. After mum had done all her chores she would pull out a box of wool and bits and pieces and we would play. Before I knew it I had created something for my dolls to use. I have never known restrictions on creating. So I guess I’m a free form artist. I love spinning fibres into beautiful wearable art and I never repeat the same thing twice. I love that there is only one of it’s kind out there. At the moment I’m very much into making books, journals with secret compartments and different handmade papers inside for people to add to and make it their own. I like to create art that people can interact with and add their own flavour too. Art that keeps on giving.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
My biggest challenge is getting started. Especially when all my ideas come to me at night when it’s too late to start anything. At times I do. My husband and I will be chilling watching a movie and then I jump up turn all the lights on and start pulling everything out of my stash, spreading beads, threads, wool and paper all over the dining table and just going for it. If I don’t and the notion passes and its lost forever. My husband is quite used to it now lol.

Do you ever lose your mojo, and if so, how do you get it back?
Yes, I do lose my mojo and it’s a horrible feeling! I hate! When I do, I like to surround myself with other creative people. Even if it’s just chatting about their last creation. Their passion on what they do normally rubs off. Or I will get on line and see what the rest of the world is up to, but nothing beats it more than going into a fantastic book store and running my fingers through the books in the Arts and Crafts section getting inspiration from endless possibilities.

What advice would you offer to any perspective new artist?

I would have to say don’t be afraid to just start creating. Don’t put yourself into an “ Artist" category, get rid of the labels until you know who and what you are. Be and do what comes natural to you. Don’t worry if your friends and family don’t get it (as its them that’s missing out) for there will always be someone who loves what you do. It took me many years to overcome this, so don’t be hard on yourself and just enjoy the creative journey. 

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?
You can find me at www.traceylee.com.au I have face book and a blog. I’m a bit naughty not keeping my blog updated, but I’m hoping to get better.

Thanks so much for sharing your art and work Tracey, as I said at the intro, I am in LOVE with your bears! Doll making is so on my creative to do list, but like all of us there is a bunch of other stuff on there I want to do & art journaling and journal making is always my first love so it gets sidetracked but seeing those gorgeous creations gets me inspired for it again - even if all I do is sketch a couple of ideas in my ideas journal so thank you so much for that =)

Do you want to see your work here?

To be featured email me or find all the details here =)