The World of Collage and Mixed Media - Jackie Tury

                     Soaring to Success

         Interviews of Artists, Writers and Photographers

                Their work, creative spaces and techniques

                                     Soaring to Success Interview With 
                       Collage and Mixed Media Artist               

                          Jackie Tury

                   Bright, bold and colorful describes her artwork...and her personality, too!

1. My name is Jackie Tury.   I am an artist, dreamer, believer living in Chantilly, VA.  I am passionate about my family,  the beach, nature, art, adventure and photography.  I love to play with paint and paper which has lead me to the world of collage and mixed media.

Artist Jackie Tury

2. Guess I've always known I wanted to be an artist, but it has taken me a while to fully acknowledge that yearning and pursue that passion.  My mom has always been crafty and encouraged creativity.  As a child I loved arts & crafts.  I was always making cards & gifts for friends & family.  I remember designing an entire card line and selling crafts to neighbors door to door one summer.   As an adult, instead of pursuing art, I got my MSW (masters of social work) and became a counselor.  I tried to incorporate art into my work with clients whenever possible.  Next, I became a stay at home mom, which I LOVED!  I was always doing crafty things with my kids (and husband--an artist too).  Around the time I turned 40, I experienced what I call my "mid-life metamorphosis".  I was doing some soul searching and started the journey back to myself.  I had a list of 40 things I wanted to do at 40.   Take a painting class was at the top of the list!  I took the class and never stopped painting!  Soon after, I started "Mother Nurture" groups to help other women rediscover their passions and transform their lives.  When we moved a couple years ago, I took on a full time job as a kindergarten assistant.  I love working with children, but still have the desire to do art full time!

3. My fears as an artist are not being good enough, not being able to make a living at what I love, and not living up to my potential.  Technology is also a fear of mine.  I am a self-proclaimed technophobe!  I am trying to overcome that fear by making myself get on Facebook, maintaining a blog and learning to edit my photos.  I also plan to create a website soon.

A Finalist in  "Cloth Paper Scissors" Submissions

4. I see life as a gift, an adventure, a celebration!  I create because it makes me happy.  I try to incorporate the joy of art into every day and the joy of everyday into my art.   As a result, I hope that my art can bring joy and inspiration to others. I love to add texture and 3-d elements to my artwork--gel medium, beads, cloth, paper, embellishments, etc.  I also love to use inspirational quotes and messages.  I enjoy having underlying messages beneath the layers of paint and collage.  Sometimes I seal my artwork with a coating to add shine or sparkle.  My art is bright, bold, colorful, whimsical and joyful.  Creating art is allowing the child in me to come out and play!   I hope my art makes you as happy as it makes me!  You can see my work on Facebook, on my blog.www.jackietury.blogspot.com and in my Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/jackietury), soon to be restocked.

5. I am constantly inspired by new ideas and techniques.  I love experimenting and trying new things. I often try to incorporate pieces of my real life into my artwork--whether it's a cupcake wrapper or candle from my daughter's birthday, a ticket from a concert, a poem I've written or a magazine title or photo that speaks to me.  I developed a technique to create a 3-d frosting effect using real cake decorating tools.  I love paint, gel medium, mod podge, oil pastels, beeswax, patterned papers and all sorts of embellishments.  I surround myself with inspirational art, quotes, and photos.

6. I would love to be a full-time artist.  I dream of someday having my own shop or studio with my own line of cards and gifts.  I would love to be licensed and published and to teach workshops and host creative retreats.

7. My "official" creative space is a section of our home office.  I love the blue walls and the colorful art and inspiration that surround me.  But the reality is, I create wherever there is space at the moment--on the kitchen counter, in the garage, on the dining room table or my favorite spot, on the back porch!

Jackie's creative space!

8. As much as I can, which is never enough.  Because I have a full time job, I try to squeeze in as much art time as possible on evenings and weekends.  Luckily I am off all summer and try to be creative and productive in between trips to the beach.

9.My creative whispers are calling me to get my work out there into the world!  I've been creating and sharing on a small scale for a few years now.  My heart is telling me I need to do more--more creating, more sharing, more selling.  I need to dream big and go for it!  As I mentioned earlier, I would love to host painting parties,workshops & retreats, and get my artwork licensed and published. I signed up for Kelly Rae's Flying Lessons class because I am a fan of hers and would love to follow in her footsteps.  I first read her book when I was just beginning my journey and it brought tears to my eyes.  When I saw that she was offering this class (and for the last time), I jumped at the opportunity.  I am so grateful for the supportive, creative community of fellow flyers! I feel like I am now ready to move forward with my art and let my hopes and dreams take flight!

10. As for a journal, I keep several.  I have a catch-all notebook, a gratitude journal, a power wish journal (I plan to do a blog post on this soon), and a sketchbook.  I try to journal weekly, but am constantly writing ideas down on whatever piece of paper I can find--envelope, post-it, newspaper, napkin, etc.

11. This is an area I definitely need to do better in and one of the reasons I took KRR's ( Kelly Rae Roberts )class.  I want to increase my online presence and sell my work online.  I have been having some success in local galleries and shows, but want to take it to the next level.

12. It depends on what mood I'm in.  I can listen to anything from the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers to the Lumineers…from classical to the birds chirping on my porch.  Sometimes silence works best for me.

13. Oh so many--Matisse, Monet, Van Gogh, Warhol, O'Keefe, Theibauld.  As far as current and/or mixed media artists, I like Claudine Hellmuth, Sandra Magsamen, Jodi Ohl, Cindy Wunsch, and of course Kelly Rae Roberts.  I also love the books Artists Way and Simple Abundance.

Sending off her art  ..with the best of hopes!

14. Absolutely!  I am so lucky!   My husband is an artist and is my biggest fan and supporter!  My two daughters are also very artsy and supportive!  Our whole house is decorated with our art and photos.  We love making art together and going on artful adventures--photo shoots, galleries, shops, shows, etc.  Last year, we joined a local gallery called the Del Ray Artisans.  We enjoy participating in the different shows and events. Recently,  we all did a show together called "It Runs in the Family".  We each created our own mixed media self portrait, then combined them to make a family portrait.   I love that my family shares art as a passion!  My mom and dad, extended family and friends are all very supportive of my art and my creative journey too.

Tury Family

15. From my journals--self reflections, observations, affirmations. Often the titles are incorporated into the work itself. 

16. Usually I have several projects going at at time, often as part of a series.

Thank you so much, Joan, for this opportunity!  I love that you have created such a wonderful way to share  art,  stories, experiences with fellow artists and flyers!


Jackie, It has been a true pleasure to get to know you.  I personally adore the photo of you when you found out you were a finalist for getting your art into the Cloth Paper Scissors publication. Your work space is so colorful and inspiring - it looks like a fun place to sit and create. 
Wishing you all the luck in the world ...and strong wings to take you to the places you are dreaming of!
Thank you for sharing some of your artistic life with us.             
                                                                         Joan 

I owned an art school in Charlotte, NC for 18 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 : )
If you are interested in being featured on my "Making Waves" Blog please contact me at www.joanecarver@yahoo.com and I will certainly consider interviewing you for a future post!

"Reflections of an Artist"

                            Reflections of an Artist

     by Joan Gabauer Carver

A new book containing not only the reflection paintings of water and it's reflective surface designs, I am known for, but it includes "reflections" about me, the artist.

   Reflections of an Artist

I am thrilled to share my latest book with you.  The 56-page book was compiled as a portfolio of work, from my "Reflections Series". It also offers you an introduction to the thirty most recent oil paintings I have created, the meaning behind the art, and a glimpse into my artistic life! 

"Water Ballet"

 "I want the viewer to feel the solitude in my paintings and be mesmerized by the water's beauty." 

Ocean inspirations, imbued with the colors of the sea, find their way into my paintings!

The artwork contains textures and paint creating waves of soothing fluid designs. I applied my passion and love onto the canvas, then used my talent to merge the colors with each brushstroke. With the use of the unique colors of beauty, light, personality and tranquility, I wanted to bring the love I have for the sea into my paintings to inspire the environment and surroundings of the room where it may be displayed.

"Hydra-Zen"

My original art has tremendous energy, many pieces have hidden messages, words, or images buried beneath the layers of texture and paint. Dazzling surface reflections, soft shadows, ripples, drips and swirls dance onto the canvas.  It is a life-long commitment to try to capture the many moods of the sea; whether it's the crashing surf or the meditative power of a calm, placid and reflective water's surface..offering the mind and spirit quietness, stillness and refuge. In each case, I hope the paintings force people to take a second look, to seek, and to engage with the painting...beyond the everyday and into a deeper reality!

"Skipping Stones"

 In the Reflections of an Artist, I included a favorite inspiring quote to accompany each one of my original oil paintings. There are pages that I included to get to know a little bit about me, and about my artwork, my supplies, my "secrets" to bring good vibes to each piece of art I create, my two favorite Bichon Frise pups Matisse and Gucci, and a wonderful piece (page 11) written by a client of mine, she and her husband have become collectors of my art.  

I also have piece (page 15)  I wrote  because I wanted my work to bring awareness about the protection of our environment.  May the water paintings act as a powerful voice to society to protect, heal and promote my cause, to make a positive difference, for cleaner water to benefit our sea life, wildlife and mankind!  

"Rhythm of the Water"

 As one owner of a gallery stated:  

"Her artwork is the result of the excitement and love she has for the water.  Joan is intrigued by the water's surface and manages to capture the feeling with her creative process of intuition, her artistic eye and unique talent."    

You may order a copy of this book through Blurb.com  or contact me for a personally signed copy at:  joanecarver@yahoo.com

 "SNEAK PEEK" - Click to view the first 15 pages of the book!

Reflections of an Artist by Joan Gabauer Carver | 

THANK YOU for allowing me to share my latest publication with you! 

                                                                                                                                   Joan

Website:     www.JoanCarver.com  
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/joancarverartist
Etsy Shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/JoanCarverArt
Blog:           www.makingwavesbeachdesigns.blogspot.com

Tracy MacDonald - Artist, Wife & Mother!

                                                  Soaring to Success
            Interviews of Artists, Writers and Photographers
                    Their work, creative spaces and techniques

                                           Interview with Virginia Artist:
                                      Tracy MacDonald 

1. Tracy, please introduce yourself and describe what you do, what’s your passion? I'm not sure how you juggle all of it.. being a wife, mother, go to your day job and tackle your artwork! But, if you're like me, the artwork keeps you happy, content and fulfilled..and that allows you to be an even better wife, mother, employee, and it's all "better for yourself"!

Hi, Joan! Thank you for celebrating fellow artists and this opportunity to be interviewed on Making Waves “ Soaring to Success!” I’m Tracy MacDonald, and live in Woodbridge, Virginia, south of Washington, D.C in the U.S.

Tracy MacDonald

Mixed-media collage, photography, and journal writing are my creative passions that center me. In fact, as I write this, I am on a weekend retreat as a gift from my husband for my 40^th birthday, away from my 8 month-old baby boy for the first time, to have time to create. I go stir crazy when I don’t have time to play with art. I especially need art right now to balance being a new Mama with home and work life.

2. When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

About age 9, I received my first “diary” from my mother, who encouraged me to write. It was a small, cobalt-blue journal with flowers on the cover, gilded pages, and a brass lock and key. This new journal felt instantly important, and a little fancy and sacred, all at once. I still get that feeling when I discover a new blank book that I love. It became a passion when I lived overseas to find journals that spoke to me in markets, boutiques, and museum shops… and they’re all little pieces of art that I treasure.  I’m better some years than others about recording thoughts, but I have shelves of beautiful journals filled with writing, sketches, ephemera, and the occasional grocery list or random phone number, as there is always a journal stashed in my purse!

In childhood, I loved exploring with paint, glue, bits of nature, and “secret ingredients.” I called my art “potion-making,” which sometimes involved nail polish, water, flour, my mother’s make-up, bath oil; whatever I could find-to the chagrin of my parents.  And my rectangular Vivitar 110 camera in the 80’s went with me everywhere. I saved my allowance to develop many cartridges of film.

Most of my adult life, art had become a “side” project, but reconnecting with my artist friend, Gail, while on a business trip a few years ago really got me back into creating. She encouraged me to have an “art mail” exchange with her, which became a fountain of inspiration, as there were no rules, except to PLAY! . I found the creative process so therapeutic, I couldn’t not do it. I would race home from work at five to slap some gesso down on a manila envelope, and the next thing I knew, at 11pm, my hands were covered in paint, ink, and glue, the envelope was a finished collage, and I had skipped dinner!  I felt alive and knew I was on to something good.

You can’t believe what the US Postal Service will accept to send. I’ve mailed collaged soup cans, tea boxes, shoe boxes, cosmetic bags… I had no idea they would take these kinds of things. (Here is a picture of an unaddressed “Mail Art” envelope, below).

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

Only recently have I started to “put myself out there,” in the form of a blog I created as a result of Kelly Rae Roberts’ Flying Lessons E-Course, where we met!  It’s exciting to have this long-term goal come to fruition, but I do feel vulnerable and exposed by sharing my personal thoughts and images. I’m still finding my voice in my posts. It can be overwhelming, and a bit defeating, to see the abundance of talent out there, so lately, I have tried to keep the art-blog surfing to a minimum.

I keep the fears at bay through positive affirmations, posting more often, and staying connected with fellow artists and creatives.  And art retreats! I’m so excited to attend my very first one this April, the Art and Soul 2013 Retreat (http://www.artandsoulretreat.com), where I am ecstatic to take workshops with recognized mixed-media artists Misty Mawn and Lisa Kaus, and photographer Catherine Anderson.

4. What makes you different...unique from others?

I am fortunate that my family loves the arts and travel. This gave me an appreciation of aesthetics and a wanderlust at an early age. Daily, I seek beauty around me, and enjoy finding new patterns in nature, architectural details, the colors of textiles, or even the way fruit is displayed at the grocery store. I try to incorporate these elements into my photos and collages. 

I would love readers’ feedback on my new blog, starrysojourn.com (Starry is my “artist” nickname). Please join me on this new adventure!  Customizing the colors and creating the banner has been so satisfying- almost like decorating a room, but a virtual one!

"Dream Girls" Collages on Mini-Canvases

Series of Note Cards with collages of my own images

                                  

5. Any secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques? Tips or tricks? What makes your art (stories, photos) special? Are your supplies unusual?   

When I need to feel centered and “get into the flow” before I begin writing or an art project, I do one of many things, depending on my mood that day.  Perhaps it’s classical music and cooking to start the creative juices flowing, or perusing art and travel magazines, visiting markets and bookstores, a quick nature walk, lighting candles, yoga, or having tea.

It’s fun discovering new supplies. Little spice bags and loose tea bags work well as pockets on collages. Sometimes I insert a few pieces of sea glass, a small shell, dried flower petals, or a leaf on which I’ve written a message with a gold paint pen.  I use ink stamps on coffee filters sometimes.

Tree bark can be peeled apart, wet and flattened and dried for a great writing surface. Pressing a real leaf directly onto the ink pad, rolled with a brayer, makes a great stamp for botanical prints, too.  (The leaf can’t be too dry, or it cracks and breaks off).

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

My ultimate goal is to keep creating and ensure art stays a focal point in my life going forward. (And to let go of housework and stop procrastinating)!  Long-term, I would love for my creative pursuits to be self-sustaining.

I am excited that my spouse will move us for overseas tours in the coming years. This will bring opportunities to work with new mediums and use art as a way to connect with the community, wherever we go.  Art is a wonderful, strong connector!

7. Where is your creative space or studio? (example: At home in an extra bedroom, kitchen table, a rented space for your craft.)

Mostly, I create in our loft, where I have the luxury of leaving happy art-chaos everywhere, without the need to neatly put things away, as this is an area I don’t show to family and friends visiting us at home!  Sometimes, it’s fun to bring lots of supplies downstairs to our dining room table over the weekend as a temporary space.  I dream of one day having a little tree house or nook with gorgeous natural light that affords me total solitude and concentration.

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?)

Currently, I am working as an associate for a consulting firm (teaching for the military), which means I have to carve out little windows of time here and there when I can.  At home, when the baby sleeps, I try to jump right in, even if it’s just browsing photos and collage images to start a project’s framework. I am a morning person, so on the weekends, my husband is great about helping make creative time happen for me. 

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?

The whispers have been getting louder this last year, and I kept saying to the universe, “but I can’t do this now! I have a day job, a house to manage, and a baby!” It seems with creating a child, I opened all kinds of other creative channels, because the whispers are almost yelling at times now! 

For a long while, I’ve had an interest in setting up a blog, but didn’t know how or where to start, which is what drew me to KRR’s e-course (which answered so many of my questions).  Left with no excuses, I set up a WordPress account a few months ago and dove in, learning as I go. Blogging has actually been a great way for me to get out of my head and nourish my soul, so I am grateful for the timing. 

Next steps are to set up a Etsy or Shopify account and find the bravery to get my art out there!  I’m also interested in conducting interviews for my blog later on, and perhaps teach a workshop, or assist in running a course with other artists. 

"Dreams and Thoughts"

10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary?   These are usually very interesting and very charming to share- like a peek into the life of an artist.

I feel better when I can write daily in my journal. If I have ink on my hand from my leaky fountain pen, it’s a good day.   I’ve also started an art journal, which is still in the nascent stages.

11. How do you market yourself? How do you plan to get “the word” out there?? (web-site, blog, etsy, galleries, boutiques, on- line selling, do you advertise?) Is it working? Are you selling?

I’m not good at this, but hoping to market myself primarily through the Starrysojourn.com blog, and a shop account in the future.  Arts and crafts fairs appeals to me, and there are several in DC in the Spring, but I have yet to take the plunge of registering  to be a vendor.  Approaching local boutiques that feature local artists is another potential avenue.

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

I adore silence, and when the weather is nice and the windows are open, sounds of nature are my favorite soundtrack ( especially hearing birds, the ocean, trees rustling…).  Solo piano, at low volume, helps me to feel calm and get into the flow sometimes, too.

13. Who is your favorite artist, photographer, author? ... In other words, who do you admire, and look up to?

I am drawn to many positive, spiritual authors that fuel me creatively. Particularly, right now: Paul Coelho’s The Alchemist, Marianne Williamson’s A Woman’s Worth, Shakti Gawain’s Living in the Light, and Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.  Julia Cameron’s saying, “leap and the net will appear,” is one of my favorites.

Stampington andCompany’s Artful Blogging magazine is a source of great inspiration for me. I devour it for the eye candy and to connect with other artists in this space.  Also, Jamie Ridler Studios “Where Creativity Comes to Life” (http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/) has podcasts of artist interviews that I’ve really enjoyed lately. Isn’t it interesting how we can feel a rapport with people we’ve never met, just by understanding their style and approach?

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

My family is absolutely supportive.  Close friends have been, too, but a few of them don’t quite “get it” when I talk about spending a whole Saturday on a collage!

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

Titles are an intuitive process for me, and are usually kept fairly simple. 

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

Oh, my goodness, there are too many projects to count, all vying for my time. I lovingly touch them all a little bit as often as I can, which doesn’t lend itself to a lot of finished products in any short amount of time! 

Tracy, thank you for sharing your lovely artwork, dreams, creations, art space and ideas! You are such an inspiration for the "artist" in all of us.  I wish you the very best in your journey. It was a pleasure to get to know you!   Joan

I owned an art school in Charlotte, NC for 18 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 

An Artist from the Isle of Bute, Scotland, U.K.- Ruth Slater

                                  Soaring to Success

                  Interviews of Artists, Writers and Photographers

                     their work, creative spaces and techniques

                                                   by Joan Carver

    I find it so interesting to hear from other artists across the world. We are so much alike in our passion to create art - yet our lives are so distant from one another.  I am grateful to "meet" and get to know these artists through our amazing technology.  Thrilled to be able to share these interviews on my blog for others to enjoy their interesting stories. 

                             Interview with Isle of Bute, Scotland, U.K. artist :
                                                 Ruth Slater   
         

1. Introduce yourself: My name is Ruth Slater, based on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK. My passion is drawing and painting with a bit of textile art and sculpture thrown in!

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

When I was eleven I went to high school and realized that my real strengths lay in art and design. I struggled in English and Math’s and when I was allowed to use my creativity in any subject I realized how much I thrived. I also had an amazing art teacher called Mr. Fiddes who worked as a professional artist in addition to teaching. His work consisted of huge canvasses and mural which my Mum would drive me to see in the town. He was a bit different than any other teacher I had at the time and seemed to suggest that there was more than what we were officially being told we could do. I saw him about ten years after I had left school and we were exhibiting at the same exhibition. I won the award from the judges with a small lino cut of a crow and he was the main exhibit with a huge triptych, it felt such a momentous milestone.

Ruth's Art Studio

3. What are your fears? 

My fears are paying the bills if I’m a full time artist, losing inspiration if I’m trying to make a living so I stop experimenting.  I know I’ll work hard enough but what if people don’t really like my work to pay proper prices? With a young child and a self employed husband it might be too much of a risk if I was ill or my work simply didn’t take off.

To be honest even though I can rationalize I need to move gradually into this role and maybe as I get things like Etsy more established I can cut down on my teaching job when I know the money will come in.

4. What makes you different…unique from others? 

My location makes me unique to start with, based on a small unspoilt island off the West Coast of Scotland. I’m inspired by the dramatic landscapes that surround me and I’m very lucky that my studio faces the Isle of Arran and Mull of Kintyre. I use what surrounds me to paint on and inspire me e.g driftwood, animals.

Although I experiment with different styles and try to develop I come back to the same subjects, Highland cows, chickens, seascapes, my daughter’s shoes, wild birds and people who appeal to me. A new style I started working on a few years ago was Wire Work in drawing, it has been really popular both in originals and cards. I’d like to take this further into mugs and maybe paper napkins etc.

Breathtaking view from Ruth Studio window!

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

I always paint in my coffee merchant apron from when I worked at Whittard’s of Chelsea. Part of wearing it reminds me of how far I’ve come and the other is it feels like a comfort blanket when I’m painting and I don’t feel properly dressed without it. I write inspirational quotes on the walls of my studio to remind me each time I look up. One from KKR (www.kellyraeroberts.com) is right in the middle at the moment, Thank you life for…

Lone Sheep on Driftwood

I’ve also made short rhyming stories about events that have happened since my daughter has been born and intend to make them into a set of children’s books called Ballinalay Tails, as most of them are based on the animals we have here, four donkeys, two pet sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, cat, dog and quails.

Most of the things I use are recycled and I do talks on making and being creative with pre-loved things. I love working out a way of incorporating packaging paper into a painting or adding driftwood into a box frame.

Chicken on a recycled envelope

6. What are your goals & inspirations?

 In 2 years? October 2014, A successful Etsy shopwww.etsy.com/RuthSlaterArtist selling my full range of cards and prints. A studio open to the public on the last Sunday of each month with delicious refreshments, for chat, sales and new friendships.

5 years?  2017, working as a full time artist with talks, demos and exhibitions regularly. Card sales are worldwide and my name is starting to become recognized as a professional artist.

10 years? 2022, My ‘Artours’ bus is up and running around the UK. Bringing mobile art lessons to remote locations, whatever the weather, along with on board art shop. My daughter travels with me in school holidays and we see some of the most amazing places and meet interesting people who love art.

Red Shoes

7. Where is your creative space or studio?   

I am really lucky to have a custom built studio in the house. We built our house four years ago and when we planned it a studio was a must. The main studio is  and led into through a room that we can use as an exhibition space, playroom, and open plan bedroom, whatever we need at the time. Most recently at the Open Studio event people were able to browse, sit and have tea and coffee or step out onto the Velux platform we have built in to help me draw the landscape. Unfortunately due to the lack of time in the studio it is frequently very messy and I would love to have it working more efficiently.

Another angle of the art studio

8.How much time do you devote to your work? 

I work as a secondary school teacher with teenagers from Mon-Weds, on Thurs and Fri I spend the day with my three year old daughter. She loves to draw in the studio so I can get card orders and small things done while her attention holds. Most of my work is done in the evenings when she has gone to bed or bartered time with my husband and in-laws at the weekend. School holidays are great as I still get my three days, as my daughter still goes to the child minder and I work as furiously as I can to use the time effectively. When I am able to I use my lunch break in school to work on reading or drawing projects, ten minutes here and there all add up in the end.

"Come on Then"

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?

I took the Flying Lessons e-course to give me the confidence and knowledge to take my business where I know it can get to. Sharing the experience with others in the same boat has been amazing and much more than I could ever have hoped for. It has pushed me to learn but in such a positive and enticing way which has shaped all of us share success.

The whispers call me to paint big canvasses with movement and depth, inspired by where I live. I really see my books based on daily life here succeeding and becoming a set to treasure. I would even consider working in conjunction with an artist I admire to illustrate the stories.

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

I keep a daily book with everything that inspires me from clothing tags to receipts. I sketch, take notes stick in articles and always carry it in my bag. I have kept book like this since 1998 so have amassed quite a collection and will go back through them to remind myself of ideas and inspiring quotes.

Lapwing

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

I use my website, www.ruthslater.com, Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RuthSlaterArtist , blog http://ruthslaterartist.blogspot.co.uk/ and twitter @ruthslater to promote my work but seem to spend more time on these ‘promotions’ than actual work lately! I’m trying to set up my Etsy shop currently but sell my work locally in shops and the odd craft fayre. My card range sells well and as I print them myself I am able to change lines that are slower and extend ideas that are good sellers.

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

I listen to radio plays while in the studio working, I find that by concentrating on the dialogue the right hand side of my brain works more creatively. Other than that I have BBC Radio 2 on for good tunes and interesting discussion.

13. Who is your favorite artist?

This will sound contrived but Kelly Rae Roberts for me really sums up everything I would like to be, her focus, drive and positivity are very infectious and I love how you feel she is talking to you personally. I also follow Carla Sonheim as I love her style and methods.

Ruth's  lovely family..husband and daughter.

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

Oh yes most definitely, my husband is my greatest supporter and he is great for constructive criticism and tweaking ideas that are nearly right. My mum is lives quite aways from me will email me to say she’s read my blog and is forever promoting my website to everyone she meets! My in-laws are very proud and on the island word of mouth is very important so I have been privileged to have some excellent commissions via them. I know all of them worry that artists don’t make ‘proper’ livings so I have to make a success and not rush my transition to full time self employment!

15. How do come up with titles for your work?

Oh this is nearly impossible every time! Sometimes I go for humorous other times a quote or something poignant. I try not to be too ‘arty farty’ as some would put it, I feel it doesn’t fit with who I am.

Painting homegrown produce!

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

White Bull by Ruth Slater

Several all the time.

Thank you so much Ruth for allowing us to get to know you..and giving us a sneak peek into your life as an artist in Isle of Bute, Scotland in the U.K.!

Your artwork is delightful. You are a very talented artist and we will all keep an eye on you because your wings are ready....we will be there to watch you SOAR!! 
                      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!  

If you are an artist, writer, or photographer and would like to be showcased with an interview on my blog, simply contact me and I will certainly consider you for a post.   Thank you for participating : )               

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