"Soaring to Success" Interview - Australian Artist Janine Whitling

Soaring to Success: 

              Interviews of Artists, Writers & Photographers

                      Their work, creative spaces & techniques

                                                             by Joan Gabauer Carver

     

   Here's another interesting interview with an Australian Artist: 

                  
                                    Janine Whitling

1. Introduce yourself..   

Hi ya, my name is Janine Whitling, and I live near Brisbane in Queensland Australia. I am a practicing full time artist with a penchance for acrylic painting, mixed media, resin and paper, especially for installations. I am an emerging artist having just received my masters in contemporary art in 2009 but I have been committed full time to growing my art biz to wonderful heights.

Janine Whitling

2. When did you know you wanted to be an artist, writer or photographer?

Although I’ve always loved art, and it really was my love as a kid, I don’t think I ever thought about it seriously as a profession until much later in life. Silly me bought into all that rubbish about it not being a real profession and that you couldn’t make a living from it. Well, I discarded those silly beliefs a few years ago and now am fully committed to doing what I love.

3. What are your fears?  How have you faced them?  Or your plans of how you plan to tackle your fears.

Actually I just blogged about my fears here http://www.janinewhitling.com.au/when-fear-paralyses-you  so this would be a good post to read about this.

 

4. What makes you different…unique from others? 

I’m not sure that I am that different from a lot of other artists to be honest. I don’t feel this great need to stand out from the crowd or be exciting or interesting. I feel that we each and all have a special story to tell and these stories sometimes resonate with others and they are able to connect to them. But what I do feel that makes me different would be my unique expression. I know I have a special ability with language and creativity, and I feel that this life I have a responsibility to share that gift, if for no other reason than to inspire others to express themselves too. We all have unique voices and they should never be held back. We are all beautiful souls on this earth who make up the ocean of humanity and each of us are equally important.

You can find my work at my website http://www.janinewhitling.com.au where I have a gallery and work for sale.

Also I have an etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinkyDesigns where i sell most of my resin jewellery and other smaller artworks.

 

5. Any secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques?  Tips or tricks?   

The first and only thing that is a prerequisite for my creative process is to ensure that I am still and connected to my heart.  If I am not with myself then my process becomes very disjointed and difficult. At those times I will walk away and either take some time out to breathe or I will do housework; nothing like housework to get you back down to earth and in your body!

As far as materials go I do paint a lot, and my favorite way of painting is actually with palette knives. I’m only just starting to use brushes for something different recently. And I love, love, love papers, especially beautiful handmade papers, lace papers or sheer papers.

6. What are your goals & and inspirations?  Where will you hope to be in 2 years?  5 years?  10 years?

Probably the same as a lot of others artists; make lots of artwork, sell lots of artwork; build a wonderful artsy community; travel; spend quality time with friends and family. J

7. Where is your creative space or studio?  

My studio is at home, I have put a bit sheet of lino on the floor inside a spare room which actually opens out to a deck, and I’ve put lino on the deck too. That way I can work inside and outside depending on the weather and what I feel like. It’s pretty cool really. Sure, I’d love more space, but it’s enough for me right now.

      

8.How much time do you devote to your work?  (Is it at same time everyday? Are you disciplined to go into your studio at 9:00am every morning?  Or do you wait until you are in a creative mood?)

I’m usually in my studio by 7am until 6pm. I do take a few breaks during the day though. Also, I tend to work 6-7 days a week. Its hard not to when you love it so much LOL

9. What are your “whispers” or callings begging you to do?  (Paint, write a book, sell your items on-line)  What made you decide to take this e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts? What do you want to achieve?

Actually I haven’t analyzed why I’m doing the KRR course. I just know that one day I opened my computer and somehow it led me to her page (probably blog hopping). It really stood out and I thought ‘why not’? So glad I did.

10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary? 

Surprisingly I don’t keep a journal so not much help there really.

11. How do you market yourself? How do you plan to get “the word” out there??

I use a number of social networking platforms, all the usual’s really. Plus I do some art fairs every now and then.

12. What type of music (if any) do you listen to when you create?

None, I rarely listen to music to be honest. I love the sound of silence.

13. Who is your favorite artist, or who gives you your inspiration?

Mark Rothko, Kathryn Del Barton,  Anselm Keifer are all amazing artists. I’m a big fan of paper cut artists and altered book artists, their works are ridiculously good. I’m always checking out other peoples works but not getting too attached necessarily to any one artist.

14. Are you encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?

Absolutely, so much support and love are sent my way. Not mum though, I think she secretly wished I studied law or finance.

15. How do come up with titles for your work…whether it be paintings, short stories, a novel, or other artwork?

It depends on what I feel when I’m creating. I like the titles to embody the energy of its creation.

16. Do you work on one project at a time ..or have several going on at a time?

Lots at a time. I find it really hard to focus just on one thing. I get bored very easy and I also like the momentum of the continued activity. If I have a few things going I can just move to whichever one I feel to and which is focused on the energy of my expression at that time. It becomes a great organic process then. Of course the down side to that is that I can find excuses not to work through a block if I have one, so some works can take ages to finish.  Positive and negatives on both sides really.

Thank you, Janine, for allowing us into your creative studio and sharing your tips and thoughts with us!  I wish you much success in your career with your artwork!  Thank you, Joan

I owned an art school in Charlotte, NC for 16 years before moving to Jacksonville, FL., so it  thrills me when a classroom full of students, given one assignment, produces such a variety of ideas. …We are all unique, we are all special.  We all have a different path, a different way of approaching our art. That is exactly why I want to do these interviews, to celebrate what makes us, US!      Thank you for participating : )               

                                                      Joan Carver       (e) joanecarver@yahoo.com       904-230-6155