I use Photoshop CS2, It is what I learned on and it works for me, I have no real desire to upgrade. I don't get much time so when I do have time I want to use it creating, not learning a new program. For Christmas my husband bought a Sony Alpha 57, which I have come to love even though he usually has it around his neck. That's ok though because he takes gorgeous pictures for me!
2: Can you share a little bit about yourself?
I am a stay at home, home schooling mum of three, aged 6 months, 5 years and 9 years. My husband is a linguist so we travel the world quite a bit and have spent the last 9 years in various countries in Asia. I love anything that has to do with creating and colour and I try to incorporate that into my family life as much as possible. I most enjoy leading art journal/art therapy type workshops and collecting inspiration for art journaling.
3: Have you always been a digital art journaler/scrapbooker or was it a gradual progression into this form of self-expression?
I have always used art for emotional expression. I found at a young age that it helped me to best process what I was feeling and was just plain fun taboot. I picked up scrapbooking when I got married in 2001 but kept it very separate from my 'art'.
When we started moving around so much I realised it just was not feasible to keep all the art supplies on hand that I liked to really make good art- or scrapbooks for that matter- and some countries just don't have supplies readily available. So when I stumbled on digital scrapbooking I was really excited but it was limiting in my artostic expression.
I have always used art for emotional expression. I found at a young age that it helped me to best process what I was feeling and was just plain fun taboot. I picked up scrapbooking when I got married in 2001 but kept it very separate from my 'art'.
When we started moving around so much I realised it just was not feasible to keep all the art supplies on hand that I liked to really make good art- or scrapbooks for that matter- and some countries just don't have supplies readily available. So when I stumbled on digital scrapbooking I was really excited but it was limiting in my artostic expression.
Then surfing the internet I stumbled on digital art journaling. So over the last 10 years I have slowly moved into more digital expression, though when I am really in emotional distress I still go for the hands-on experience. I keep several mixed media journals going in addition to my digital files.
At the moment our living room has been converted into an art studio as I work on painting three doors my husband brought home for me. Its really fun, especially when the whole family gets into it.
4: Where do you find inspiration and what is your process in creating a page or art journal entry?
I find inspiration everywhere really. Magazines, catalogues, billboards, nature, fashion, my kids artwork, the sock drawer...yeah pretty much everywhere!
My process seems to be a little different everytime, but usually when I go to make a page, I start with an emotion, then I find an image, quote or colour that really expresses that emotion to me and I just let it go from there. Often after I have the main bit down I find myself just cruising through my stash for any little thing that 'feels right' and throw it in for good measure.
I also have an inspiration stash of quotes and pictures that speak to me in some way. Usually I pull from this to flesh out the emotion, but sometimes when something really stands out for me I start there.
When I lead workshops introducing people to mixed media art journaling they are often a bit anxious about messing up. The thing I love most about art journaling is that it is just for me. I don't have to share it with anyone if I don't want to so I feel a lot more freedom to experiment and try new techniques. If I don't like something I can either paint over it or trash it and start again. Once folks get that, there is this amazing change and they end up doing some really great stuff. I try to encourage people new to art journaling who are feeling anxious to just let go and have fun. It works the same way in digi journaling. Everyone has a different style so just express yourself.
I find inspiration everywhere really. Magazines, catalogues, billboards, nature, fashion, my kids artwork, the sock drawer...yeah pretty much everywhere!
My process seems to be a little different everytime, but usually when I go to make a page, I start with an emotion, then I find an image, quote or colour that really expresses that emotion to me and I just let it go from there. Often after I have the main bit down I find myself just cruising through my stash for any little thing that 'feels right' and throw it in for good measure.
I also have an inspiration stash of quotes and pictures that speak to me in some way. Usually I pull from this to flesh out the emotion, but sometimes when something really stands out for me I start there.
When I lead workshops introducing people to mixed media art journaling they are often a bit anxious about messing up. The thing I love most about art journaling is that it is just for me. I don't have to share it with anyone if I don't want to so I feel a lot more freedom to experiment and try new techniques. If I don't like something I can either paint over it or trash it and start again. Once folks get that, there is this amazing change and they end up doing some really great stuff. I try to encourage people new to art journaling who are feeling anxious to just let go and have fun. It works the same way in digi journaling. Everyone has a different style so just express yourself.
5: What is your favourite 'Sissy Sparrow' product/kit include a short description as to why you like it? Gosh I don't think there is one favourite product, I just love the style of Sissy Sparrows and how it matches my own style in handmade journals. I also love how the different products speak to different aspects of life and different emotions we experience.
If I had to choose, then I love the colours and happy playful feel of 'Catching Dragons'. I have used it for a variety of different pages with different feels. I almost always used one of the Grunge Stamp Packs as well. I keep them in their own folder just to plop all over the place.
Credits:
Room 19- Project 6 'Bravery' by Sissy Sparrows
'Happiness in Me'
Credits:
and is put together just like a real pinboard!
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