The Artist within ")

                                         Another post already? 

   Why yes!- a friend of mine, Renee Zarate asked me if I would join her and other artists/writers by blogging a bit about myself and my creative process as an artist. So on Mondays, artists/writers sharing their stories through blogging has been showing up all over the globe-and we have had the opportunity to meet and learn about others we may never have otherwise! isn't the internet a wonderful place!!! 

   Renee and I came to meet by both being chosen for the Design Team for Artistcellar. It has been challenging as well as fun designing new projects each week for Artistcellar's blog as well as getting to know Renee and the other team members. 
 Renee-of Bolton House, who in my book is extremely talented and creative refers to her art as, eclectic, whimsical and quirky! I agree and will add, colorful and beautiful to the mix! Please stop by her blog, check out her art as well as the many techniques she shares!
   I am truly flattered that Renee has invited me and I am happy to share with you a bit about Me- the artist!
        Let's get to it!
   For a bit of background, I grew up one of six children to two very creative parents. My Mom's forte' was cooking- she was an artist with her Sauerbraten and Meatloaf! My Dad, he could make anything out of nothing! This is definitely where I get my recycle, upcycle, and reuse from!! And to boot, Dad could draw, and paint and even embroider. So, I guess I was bound to inherit some creativity from either or from both! 
 

 

Upcycled Luggage-turned jewelry case

 
  The earliest I can remember creating was in the second grade. I remember this as I went to a new school half way into the school year and I was scared as could be! Sister David Agnes, tried to blend me in by asking what i liked to do and I said make art- so she gave us all an art project to do for that weekend. We had to create something with an animal as the theme. Well, my Dad got right to thinking of what to do and together we came up with making a fish out of paper and gluing him to a substrate(a leftover piece of plywood from Dad's stash) Dad helped me through the whole project...I painted the board dark blue, we drew a fish on a grocery bag , cut two pieces and I painted them red. Next, we stapled the fish all but one area and we stuffed him with cotton balls,pushing them in with a straw,to give him dimension.When my fish was good and puffy, we stapled him closed and glued him to the board. Dad had already put a piece of hanging wire on the back for me. ") You are probably wondering how I remember this so well? I still have my fish and would have shared a photo, but he is in one of my bins in the pole barn under things we have not yet unpacked! 
   Stop by again in a few months- I'll have that fish posted! 
                      Okay... on to the questions at hand!

I painted this with acrylics when I was 14- copying the scene from a book.I also matted it myself as you can tell by the torn color from the sides

 
1.)What am I working on now?
Always, I have at least 3 or 4 WIP in my working area...I'll show a few bits here...

 

2.)How does my art/writing differ from others?
   I think all artists start out learning and copying from one another and go on to develop their own style. I think with my art, I tried to do as the others, and couldn't get it right , so out of that came ME! 

   As far as my art, it is all over the place as you can see from my examples...I truly am most fond of textures, layers, altered and mixed media art the most. 

    Sometimes my art is simple drawings and colored with pencils

and then other times-it's almost magical with loads of glitter and shimmer and bits and bobs! 

 

 

I guess there is no real way for me to describe my art style yet, as I think I am still discovering it myself!


3.) Why do I create what I do?

Well, this question is an easy answer- because it makes me happy and feeds my soul!

4.)How does my creative process work?
   Well, on any given day it will be different... but mostly, I like to go into my studio, and either put on some music, or if it is early enough just open the window to hear the birds with their morning songs... and I gaze about my studio, absorbing all of the inspiration there is in there. Then, I usually start pulling out mediums and paper, or substrates, and a pencil or marker and just let loose!

 
                                                                                                                           
   Other times, I might have something well thought out and gather exactly what I need and end up using none of it! heeheee 

   Truly each time is different for me and it really is hard to pinpoint- I'll have to make a video someday- then we'll both know how I do it! ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
 For me, art has really opened up my world and has allowed me to feel free and let my creativity grow and be nurtured. Through blogging, I have discovered and learned from many very gifted and talented artists all around the world- many of whom I am able to call my friends.

  We share common bonds and goals and most times this is unspoken, but when we do get to speak- it's an even greater experience! 
  I truly believe everyone has a bit of creativity in them and they just need to tap into it- pull out the coloring book and crayons and see what happens!

Thank you so much for joining me and thank you Renee for inviting me along!
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I would like to introduce you to my artist/illustrator dear friend Darlene Campbell. Darlene and I met via the Strathmore Online Workshops in 2011 and have become lifelong friends! We chat once a week(at least) and make each other laugh till we cry! I adore Darlene's illustrations as well as her writings- I'm sure you will also enjoy them- check her out here at Darlene-freeniebelle.

Darlene's post with her Q&A will be up on Monday- August 15th please make sure to visit- her- i'd love to hear what you think!

Jackie ")