Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Kirsten Vogt

Hi guys, me again, although there's not been much 'before' so far this week for there to be much 'again', as I have had a distinct lack of inspiration so far this month. In fact generally just 'blaaah'iness all round so far this month (I tend to notice my art follows my life patterns) but I'm here thankfully with another share from another artist, this week from Germany, woot!! I want more Europeans on TAT yeah! Actually calling all countries because, as Kirsten points out in this interview, we get to see what everyone all over the world is doing through the tinterwebs which can be artistically scary and overwhelming, but it's so great that it can also be used for good things like this that can reassure us, that let us know that other people are sharing our boat (which is why I'm always honest about inspiration ebbs when inspiration ebbs happen, because that's life and part and parcel of the joys of being artistic!) We're real here! Enjoy Kirsten's interview ;)

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I cannot remember a time, where I was not creative, but my phases of creativity were different each time. As a kid I had crafty times with my mother, we would make tons of things out of cardstock, craft foam, window color. As a Teen it was music and photography. A few years ago I find a video on YouTube about art journaling, so everything begins. Now I don’t know where to store all my stuff. I create cards, I love art journaling, I design and bind books, I sew, I scrap… sooooo many things, so I will say: I’m an all-round-artist. I think, it’s depending on my mood, but I think journal binding and scrapbooking are my favorite at the moment.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
My biggest challenge is still the lack of acceptance for my work. Most people around me (except the family) only say “oh hey nice”, but there is nobody who “needs” my stuff to buy something. It’s frustrating, but I think it’s a learning process for me, that I should not pay so much attention to what others say. I do this for me, although I have more books in stock than I can ever fill.

What do you love most / least enjoyable about your art?
In my art it’s easy to let emotions flow. Even if I’m depressed or glowing from happiness, I literally close my eyes and let my emotions flow. In these moments I don’t think about my job and problems, it’s the same feeling you have as a kid sitting in your homemade tent with your teddy bears.

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 think it’s not easy to find your own style, and for me I think I’m not unique at all. In the most things you do there is somewhere in the world doing the same. 20 years ago, that doesn’t matter, but today with internet/YouTube you SEE what others do. Okay, there is always a unique touch to my art, because I choose the paper and the colors, but the original idea will never be unique. But every day I craft I will try to find something unique to make.

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

You can find me at my blog http://huiwaldproductions.blogspot.de/ and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HuiwaldProductions

...as I kinda did my larger written piece in this TAT in my intro I'll keep my outro quite short: Thank you so much for sharing Kirsten, your story (regarding your interests) sounded very much like my own when I first started creating again which is why I say with love - I think you will just have to accept you will always have more books that you can ever fill! And especially if you continue with the bug of making more, mmmmmeh I had to make my peace with that a looooooooong time ago lol and never let it stop you adding to it either if the mood takes! My opinion is creative instincts are there to be followed, because you miss them when they're gone...

but yeah they do always come back! =)

(couldn't leave it on a sour note!)

Do you want to join the TAT ranks??

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

20,000 Subscriber Giveaway on YT

Hi guys just a little note to let you know that I've a giveaway going over on my youtube channel. I've have over 20k of subscribers and thought I'd do a little thank you, below is the video but you must comment on the video to be entered (ie not here, though comments here are welcome as usual...they just won't be an entry). The 20 winners will be picked on 16th October.

Good luck everyone =D

PS New things are going in my shop this/next week so hopefully any of you that are avid Belliettes and already have all of these prizes will have new things to pick from if you become winners =)

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Sharon Hendry

Wow a late TAT today sorry guys, I got sidetracked into watching Under the Dome & Hart of Dixie with an Indian Takeaway, I know I know it's a tough life, my arm reeeeeally had to be twisted ;) but we all need our r&r (and easy-going tv) from time to time. Happy that I still have something arty to dig into today though; that's just one reason why I love TAT, it makes me feel arty, even when I've done zero art...like somehow I am keeping my finger in the arty pie lol this week the featured artist in named Sharon, or aka "ArtL8dY", enjoy =)

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
From the time I was a little girl I was making drawings and selling them to my neighbors. It never occurred to me that I can be anything else but an artist. After I graduated from college with a fine arts degree, I was qualified to work as a waitress. The owner of the restaurant where I worked asked me to design a new menu. It turns out that I designed the worst menu ever but it motivated me to learn how to get it right. That’s why I became a graphic designer. So I started working in print shops and learned every aspect of pre-press that included layout and typography. My goal is to provide images that convey free spirited, whimsical and positive messages. I’d like to see them used to inspire, decorate or educate. These days when I’m not working on personal art, I teach graphic design at the community college. My students get a kick out of seeing the world’s ugliest menu. It gives them hope! 

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?

I’ve been lucky because I have had the support of family and friends and my husband. It allows me to make art without fear of what others will think. But the hard part is promoting the work for publication or gallery exhibits. When I was doing graphic design I always had to solve a visual problem defined by a client. The personal work I create is about expression and creativity but I do have dreams of being published or in a gallery. So once artwork is created it has to be marketed and promoted. That’s a challenge! I do find that the process itself is very therapeutic so no matter where the art ends up, I gain tremendously from the creation of it.

What advice would you offer to any perspective new artist?
Like I said, I knew as a little girl that I was an artist. I just never stopped being one. As we grow older, we loose that creative freedom and need validation with certification or degrees. Don’t be afraid to call yourself an artist if you are creative. Own it! Danielle LaPorte says, “Declare it and share it!” Surround yourself with positive people who see life through the same lens as you, not people who steal your energy. I know that’s not always easy but just about every goal that is worth achieving involves other people so you better find some encouraging people to hang out with! That means you have to be positive and encouraging as well.  I tell my students to always keep learning new things. Sign up for workshops to help you grow. It will put you in an environment to meet others who have similar interests. If you can’t attend one in person, make the most of online classes. There’s so many of them out there now. Don’t be intimidated by what other artists create. Be inspired by their passion and fearlessness rather than their success.

What is your greatest personal achievement either in your art, or because of it?
Besides finally learning how to design an attractive menu, I haven’t achieved it yet and that’s just fine by me because I am enjoying the journey towards it. I recognize that having the passion to make art is all I need to keep going! 

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

Here is a link to posts on my blog related to my art journals

For current blog posts: http://e14studio.blogspot.com

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/artl8dy/

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtL8dY

Thank you so much for sharing Sharon =D I love how you incorporate the skills of your graphic design into your artwork while it still containing such a free spirited carefree energy - that is a real skill. Sometimes 'carefree' and 'pleasing to the eye' just don't mix, personally if I'm making something just for the sake of making it I don't always care if it is pleasing to the eye, because it's about expression not results but you seem to manage both simultaneously really, really beautifully. Good luck with your dreams of being published and exhibited...that goes for everybody with those or similar dreams, the world needs our art 

- all of our art  =D

Do you ... ???

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

Lifebook Giveaway Winner

Hi guys time to reveal the winner of the free spot on Lifebook =)

I was so amazed that so many people truly opened up in the comments to share why they wanted to be part of class, I always find it inspiring when people are honest about where there lives are at and express how art helps. And I was extra happy that everyone was doing it for this class giveaway because that is what my lesson in the class will actually be on: being truly honest with ourselves through our art =) Anyhow with so many deserving people entering (around 400 of you, wow!) how could I possibly pick one person & say it is more because they are more deserving than another? So I relied on my good old pal Random.org and fate (...aka I chicken out, but you are all so deserving fate seemed like the best course of action!)

So drum roll...the winner of the spot on the class is:

Comment number:

who is:

Margo (who's blog is Art Surrounds Us)

YAY Congratulations Margo!! I'll be emailing shortly. Sorry to those that really wanted the place and didn't get it, I hope for everyone that does want to be a part of it that life will somehow provide it =) and as a lil cheer up there is still a chance to win a prompted art journal below:

So the first winner is:

Comment no:

who is:

Kate at KMericks

and

the second winner is:

who is:

TheJunking DataGirl

Congratulations to you two =) and as another lil cheer up for everyone else who does heart a good giveaway, keep an eye on my youtube channel this week - I'll say no more besides 'nudge nudge, wink wink' xoxo

Much love everybody

Bye for now

Jennibellie

xx

Making Zines Vlog

Okay so as many of you know (having brought some already from my shop, or chatted to me about them over email, or traded some with me, or just read about them previously on here etc) I am a bit of a zine-nut.

I cannot help it, that was what a journal page {below} I posted on my social media type sites was about yesterday - me trying to resist the temptation to make yet another zine that is currently residing in my head!

So I'm posting this vlog, of me in full zine-making mode, to try and envelope others into the zine fold as it is obviously an obsession of mine that will not abate...as you are likely to see more of them here anyways I thought why not.

 Here's a mini glossary of terms I use in the vlog, just to bring you up to speed:

Zine: A self publication, usually of pamphlet size

Cut n Paste: Traditional way to make a zine visually appealing, using 'cut n' paste' collage

Perzine: Abbreviation used for 'personal-zine', meaning one's own life is the main topic

Zinester: A person that reads/makes/trades/sells zines

Distro: A collective of zines; someone or place that distributes several people's zines

Okay if you would like to see my zines you can find what I currently have in this section of my shop, I am now off to go and...guess what?? lol

Much love

Jennibellie

Video Tour of My New Studio

So I know many of you have been waiting for this...

I still do not feel like it's 'ready' but as I am sat here now, typing this, with the beautiful smell of new wood (I hope that smell never goes) and sparrow birds fluttering outside around me I want to quickly show you where I creatively relax and recharge:

xoxo

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Judy Holland

Hi guys, 

we are on the final artist interview of Sept can you believe it?

Thank you to those that after the last TAT sent me get well wishes, I'm feeling much better now & have begun to feel my arty bone twitching again. So hopefully I should have a post, perhaps even a vid for you tomorrow, till then enjoy this weeks featured artist interview =)

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

My road into art actually started when I was a child I was always creating something artistic from plays with costumes (that I put on for my parents), to making all kinds of things for my family. My mom was always letting me get stuff to make my “projects”, as I called them. She would take me to craft fairs and art shows for me to get my art fix. But, it hasn't been until the past couple of years that I considered myself an artist. A couple of years ago my family started going through some really rough times and I started using art to dig inside myself to find expression and comfort. Then one day it just hit me, “I am an artist”. I need to do art. And I have been striving to become an artist who sells my work and teaches others. I believe art is a true expression of our inner selves. I live near the coast in North Carolina out in the country. I have four Silkie chickens named Faith, Hope, Joy and Charity and a Black Royal Palm turkey named Fred, as well as a trained rabbit named Max who roams my house. I am married to a wonderful man who supports me 100%. We have four grown children and two grandchildren. 

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
The greatest challenge I face is myself. I have always questioned my ability and whether someone else will like my work enough to buy or want to learn from me. To overcome it I just decided one day that I just needed to move forward. What was the worst thing that could happen anyway, no one would like it or buy it, that is their choice. I just had to accept the fact that not everyone is going to like me or my stuff and have learned to be okay with that. I am a huge goal setter and love to see what I have accomplished over a given period of time. So I said to myself, self if you don’t do this you will never know if this is really the true you. So just do it. Failure is only a matter of perspective. 

What is your heart’s greatest desire for your life as an artist?
To share it with others. I would love to learn some ways to be more effective about getting it out there, as well as making up more classes to teach. Right now I primarily teach children. I have an art class going 3 days a week with around 130 children. We are making junk journals, it has been an interesting challenge, but very fun. I want to own my own business one day. I have this great idea that I am believing will come into existence one day with lot’s of perseverance and faith. I just want to keep learning and striving to be the best I can be. 

What do you most wish your art to achieve? 
Hope and healing for those who need it. I want my art to bring things to people to minds and hearts, whether that is Joy, excitement, sadness, hope, awe, fun and laughter. I want to have my art and my teaching to be a way to help others express themselves or find themselves in my stuff. 

Tell us where can we find out more about you and your art? 
I have a blog, a twitter and a pinterest account. Although I am not very savvy at any of them. I am learning!

My blog

My Twitter

My pinterest 

My etsy shop

Thank you for sharing your art and wisdom Judy. Out of your whole interview this is the line that struck me 'So I said to myself, self if you don’t do this you will never know if this is really the true you.' Partly because I found 'So I said to myself: "self "...' funny, but because it is kinda what I said to myself a couple of years ago and also because it was followed by 'Failure is only a matter of perspective.' Yes, Yes, YES!!! Thank you! I think this is what ALL of us who put ourselves/our artwork out there and share have to say to ourselves. And then get on and do it...

Want to join a TATer??

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

Lifebook & Giveaway

So as some of you already know I will be one of the guest teachers on Lifebook next year, woohoo!! 
How lovely-jubbly!

If you don't know of Lifebook yet then to sum up it is a year-long course, taught by Tam and her guests, in which you will create a fabulous book of art by the end that honours YOU. I love the concept and am extremely honoured that I have been asked to be part of it alongside some truly fabulous teachers.

Registration doesn't begin until October 7th but I have a spot to giveaway right now - all you have to do is tell me why you would most like to join Lifebook (make sure you leave me your name & email address if you leave a comment as 'anonymous' please! - also I have approval on so only ONE comment each please everyone: if you post it  I promise I will get it ;) ) I'm also giving away two of my prompted art journals so they'll be three winners, just to make it a little more juicy! I'll be announcing the winners on the 29th Sept.

As an extra bonus all the teachers are also doing a blog-hop and giving away their own spaces, so here's all their links & hop dates below:

12th Sept 2013 - Tamara Laporte - www.willowing.org

13th Sept 2013 - Tascha Parkinson – www.timewithtascha.blogspot.ca

14th Sept 2013 - Lesley Riley – www.lesleyriley.com

15th Sept 2013 - Alena Hennessy - www.alenahennessy.com

16th Sept2013 - Kat McBride – www.KatCanPaint.com

17th Sept 2013 - Carla Sonheim – www.carlasonheim.com

18th Sept 2013 - Jane Davenport – www.janedavenport.com

19th Sept 2013 - Danielle Daniel – www.danielledaniel.com

20th Sept 2013 - Jennibellie – www.jennibelliestudio.blogspot.com

23rd Sept2013 - Kelly Hoernig – www.kellyhoernig.webs.com

24th Sept 2013 - Micki Wilde – www.thesecrethermit.blogspot.co.uk

25th Sept 2013 - Kate Thompson – www.fracturedangelics.blogspot.com

26th Sept 2013 - Flora Bowley – www.florabowley.com

27th Sept2013 - Anna Dabrowska – www.tworzysko.blogspot.co.uk

28th Sept 2013 - Steven Speight – www.speightoftheart.com

29th Sept 2013 - Mika Diaz – www.mikadiazmixedmedia.com

30th Sept 2013 - Serena Bridgeman – www.serenarty.com

1st Oct 2013 - Dyan Reaveley – http://dyan-reaveley.blogspot.co.uk/

2nd Oct 2013 - Effy Wild – www.effythewild.com

3rd Oct 2013 - Carissa Paige – www.carissapaige.com

4th Oct 2013 - Marieke Blokland – www.bloknote.nl

5th Oct 2013 - Christy Tomlinson – www.christytomlinson.com

6th Oct 2013 - Traci Bautista – www.treicdesigns.com

So that's it leave me a comment below for your chance to win

and make sure you come back on the 29th to see if you've won!

Much love