Hutch-e-lul-lul-o (that's hello in double Dutch) or gug-o-o-dud e-vuv-e-nun-i-nun-gug, which is good evening (...apparently), **Happy Tuesday** welcome to TAT =) this weeks featured artist is Anne, who lives in California, but confirms not with movie stars & beaches but with orchards and cows; like that will make the rest of us any less jealous!! Na ah not me, gimme that sun, gimme it NOW lol enjoy the interview....while I go look out my rain-splattered window and sob!
;)
Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I'm 29 years old & live in the San Joaquin Valley in California. Which is not the greatest place to live & nothing at all like most people's perceptions of California! There are no movie stars or beaches near me.. but there are lots of orchards and cows. ;) I'd probably call myself a mixed media artist. I will pretty much use anything I can get my hands on, including some pretty random stuff: junk mail, cereal boxes, high-lighters, nail polish lol. I love working in watercolour & ink best. I tend to work on a pretty small scale & make a lot of ATCs & little drawings (it keeps my inner perfectionist from getting precious about every little detail!) I've always kept a journal. Recently I've gotten into bookbinding & started making my own journals too. I like playing with calligraphy & fancy or silly lettering styles. I love words & like to write short stories, poems & essays. 
What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
I've always liked drawing & making things, but after I took several art classes I became very concerned with doing things the "right way" and using the "right" supplies. My high school art teacher was adamant that we could never draw anything without a reference photo, and that was a big obstacle for me for a long time. If I had an idea, but didn't have a reference photo to work from then I couldn't do it. Or worse, I would twist the idea to fit what I had a reference for or what I was able to draw realistically. I became very critical of everything I made & lost a lot of my confidence. Art stopped being something I had fun with. I would get frustrated with myself and stop drawing for long periods of time.
One of the things that really helped me get over that mindset was doodling in my journals. Because they were just for me, it didn't matter if I had a reference photo or if the perspective was wonky. I decided that I didn't really care about that stuff very much. What was important to me was the ideas, the feelings behind them & enjoying the process. The art I've been doing since I realized this might not be as realistic or technically proficient - I'm having to unlearn a lot of things. But I enjoy it a lot more and I like most of what I make :)
What do you find easiest / hardest in your art?
The easiest part for me is probably coming up with ideas. I will have random images or ideas pop up in my head all the time and I have pages of lists complete with little stick figures of ones I want to get to.
The hardest is getting the ideas out of my head and onto paper or some other tangible form. Sometimes it's an issue of time or energy or skill. Or I'll run out of something I need. Sometimes improvising & working with what you have can really prompt some great creativity!! And sometimes it's just a pain. Wanting to draw & having my last pen run out of ink or a tiny nub of a pencil? That drives me crazy. Luckily, I have great friends & family who help to keep me in art supplies :)
Do you think you have achieved a uniquely recognizable style as an artist, or do you find it a struggle to find your own style?
I'm not sure. I used to be really concerned about finding a definitive style of my own.. but that's one of the things I've decided not to worry about too much because it was starting to be a limitation. I think I probably have several different "styles" which I have decided is ok :) I have different moods & roles that change from day to day, so my art does too.
I've always liked drawing & making things, but after I took several art classes I became very concerned with doing things the "right way" and using the "right" supplies. My high school art teacher was adamant that we could never draw anything without a reference photo, and that was a big obstacle for me for a long time. If I had an idea, but didn't have a reference photo to work from then I couldn't do it. Or worse, I would twist the idea to fit what I had a reference for or what I was able to draw realistically. I became very critical of everything I made & lost a lot of my confidence. Art stopped being something I had fun with. I would get frustrated with myself and stop drawing for long periods of time.
One of the things that really helped me get over that mindset was doodling in my journals. Because they were just for me, it didn't matter if I had a reference photo or if the perspective was wonky. I decided that I didn't really care about that stuff very much. What was important to me was the ideas, the feelings behind them & enjoying the process. The art I've been doing since I realized this might not be as realistic or technically proficient - I'm having to unlearn a lot of things. But I enjoy it a lot more and I like most of what I make :)
What do you find easiest / hardest in your art?
The easiest part for me is probably coming up with ideas. I will have random images or ideas pop up in my head all the time and I have pages of lists complete with little stick figures of ones I want to get to.
The hardest is getting the ideas out of my head and onto paper or some other tangible form. Sometimes it's an issue of time or energy or skill. Or I'll run out of something I need. Sometimes improvising & working with what you have can really prompt some great creativity!! And sometimes it's just a pain. Wanting to draw & having my last pen run out of ink or a tiny nub of a pencil? That drives me crazy. Luckily, I have great friends & family who help to keep me in art supplies :)
I'm not sure. I used to be really concerned about finding a definitive style of my own.. but that's one of the things I've decided not to worry about too much because it was starting to be a limitation. I think I probably have several different "styles" which I have decided is ok :) I have different moods & roles that change from day to day, so my art does too.
Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?
lol I am all over..
Thank you so much Anne, I've just spent a little while at your blog and must say I really love the rawness of your journal pages and how you're unafraid to put down what you're really thinking/feeling. I think the first couple of pics in this interview show that off beautifully too & can definitely see in your work what you say in the last question, about how your moods and art are connected. If I'm honest I'm quite a slave to my emotions and I wear my heart on my sleeve; my highly uncontrollable hormones make that sometimes inevitable for one, but I do feel that's when my art and also written diary entries become their rawest, and therefore their most truthful also.
Do you wanna TAT it??
Very much enjoyed meeting Anne today and have taken a peek at her blog and Etsy -- very fun and creative art! HOW I envy you young ones your ability to just "let it all out" in your journals! Would that I could be young again in my mind at least! :-D
ReplyDeleteVon you comment on every artist, you are so generous, positive and genuine with your comments and I just wanted to acknowledge you. thank you.
DeleteAnne I love love LOVE Your work. thank you for being so open. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
ReplyDeletelovely interview, so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pages Anne, I get a bit stuck with out reference photos and begin feeling frustrated with ideas that I can't seem to transfer from out of my head onto paper, so thank you for sharing your storey :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Jenni :)
Thanks, Jenny, for inviting Anne to TAT, and thanks, Anne, for bringing such candor and art to us! Like, Von, I am an older artist and, by heritage, am a bit more reserved in sharing all. But what better a legacy to leave than telling your family, friends and followers who the artist really is! You are an inspiration, Anne!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny for introducing Anne, and thank you Anne for sharing your art! I've hopped over to Anne's blog and enjoyed having a look about. Seems we have notebook hoarding in common. I signed up to follow too!
ReplyDeletethank you all! :)
ReplyDelete