So how did I get into scrapbooking? Well I first started
scrapbooking in 2005 after a work colleague brought in her scrapbooking/holiday
album. I took one look and I was ‘smitten’. Prior to scrapbooking my only creative
hobby had been furniture restoration.
Studio? Oh I so wish! Recently I had to move and as a result
I no longer have the wonderful large studio that I had. I am still in the
process of settling in to my new house. I have a small area of enclosed veranda
that I am converting into a scrap zone.
I am still thinking about how and where I can create a painting zone!
Unfortunately I don’t get as much time as I would like for creativity, but what
ever spare moment I have I endeavour to do something creative!
I don’t have or keep an Art Journal as such. Though I do
plan to create journals out of all of my ‘loose leaf’ sheets of creative play.
You will find almost all of my creative play and experimention in/on my
layouts. I don’t always share what I create, there are some areas of my
creativity that I keep just for me, for a variety of reasons.
'UR'
Right now, I have what has been labelled by others as an ‘arty style’, ‘deceptively simple’ ‘organic’ and ‘authentic’. I’m not sure what I would call it, but that probably covers it! I am passionate about scrapbooking, I love trying out different techniques and products, I love to experiment, I love to do mixed media workshops and classes, and see how I can take what I have learnt and incorporate it into my scrapbooking and infuse them with my own take, my own style! I just love to create.
What is your greatest influence and where do you find inspiration?
I find it hard to isolate one particular great influence. I
do however have a few that have had a profound influence on how I create.
The first I will share, is at the risk of making myself
sound like a complete loser. When I started scrapbooking I had absolutely no
concept of design principles or colour theory. I have no formal training or
basic education in art and or design. Initially it was a constant irritation to
me that my layouts never looked right, and I couldn’t figure out why. It wasn’t
until I was having a conversation at a retreat and the subject of design
principles was bought up, that I finally realised why my layouts weren’t
working out as I would have liked. They were so badly designed and very hit
and miss. I also had difficulty with colour coordination; I now have 3 different
types of colour wheels that I refer to when I create.
Since I have done ‘some research’ about
design and colour theory I have found my ability to create a visually pleasing
layout so much easier, and satisfying. I do count my drips and try hard to
ensure my splats look balanced LOL. And, whilst I do try
hard to use a range of colours on my layouts, I still very much resort to
monochromatic colour choices. I lack confidence with using colour; it actually
stresses me, but I try to push through that!
Another great influence on how I create is my overwhelming
need for privacy; which I can appreciate is quite contradictory given that I am
a scrapbooker, and memory keeper. It has meant that I rarely journal on my
layouts. However that doesn’t mean that the layouts that I create are
meaningless, or without purpose. I have
developed a ‘mental’ approach to creating a layout, where by the actual process
of creating is an emotional release for me, so I feel like I am infusing the
layout with the thoughts and or memory that I want to scrap. It is my way of
journaling. And occasionally, the design and choice of elements will reflect or
symbolise the memory or feeling that I want to document. I can appreciate that
this may not be obvious to most people but I have had friends pick up on it.
Finally, and perhaps most excitingly, is the two main
creative sources of inspiration that have influenced my style of creativity;
that of Modern Art and Digital Scrapbooking. I cant quite articulate how
excited I am, and overwhelmed with inspiration and creative ideas, when I visit
Modern Art Galleries and Exhibitions, I believe that If I never go to another
gallery or exhibition in my lifetime that I already have more ideas that time,
to explore and experiment with. For me the term Modern Art incorporates a broad
range of creative disciplines. The most exciting and recent source of
inspiration has been the designs of fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Whilst
I can appreciate that this might not seem obvious in my creativity, I am taking
baby steps at the moment with my creative play, The very conservative part of
me very much constrains how I apply this inspiration in my scrapbooking.
When I ‘stumbled upon’ a digital scrapbooking blog; Gallery
Standouts. I was totally and yes this probably sounds
‘over the top’ dumb struck! As I looked
at layout after layout I kept thinking, ‘but why cant I do that?’! More specifically
it was the layouts that were incorporating organic elements realistic looking
leaves and branches etc. The need to do this on my own layouts was a real
turning point for me! As I analysed more and more layouts, specifically those
that incorporate the use of white space in their design, I found that things
were finally coming together in my mind for me, and that I was able to create
so much more confidently and instinctively! So now, more often that not, I am
so ‘in the zone’, when I am creating that I have no firm concept of how the
layout will turnout until it is finished.
So what I have outlined above would be the greatest
influences on my creativity. That is not to say that there aren’t any others,
there are many many creative individuals and other creative disciplines that
have and continue to inspire me in my creativity. When I am feeling the need to
experience something new to revive my mojo I will tap into these sources!
I will go web surfing, I will resort to re reading the many
books that I have bought, that range from photography, to interior design, or,
I will quite simply, take a walk!
What is your favourite piece of artwork you have created and why?
'Cellular War'
Can you share one final extra something maybe a link to a video or a favourite quote?
Thank you so much Louise for sharing an insight into you and your creative life. Your beautiful works of art are a fantastic example of how scrapbooking can lend itself to a mixed media technique driven approach and exploration of mediums.
If you would like to see more of Lou's amazing artworks scoot on over to her Flickr Gallery and her Scrapbook.com Gallery . To connect with her, head on over to her a blog 'An Uninterrupted View' for some regular updates on her creative journey and be sure to say hello.
Have a fabulously festive season and stay safe over the New Year celebrations!
Lots of hugs,
Please may I share a few of my most recent favourites from
the last couple of years? They represent creative milestones of creative exploration and acceptance.
All of the images above are of scrapbooking layouts. The
next 2 images are of 2 Canvas’s, one a straight forward painting and the other
a clock.
'As Time Flies'
Hmmm, I must confess that I do struggle to answer these
types of questions; however I would love to share with you a few things that
make me smile and speak to my heart and mind big time.
A couple of Quotes
'Never give up on your dream just because of the time that it
will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.'
'Say Less, Mean More.'
A couple of my Life
and Creative inspirations
A couple of
Incredible Scrapbookers
A couple of amazing Artists
who I found on Pinterest whose Art I wish I had a piece of!!
Personal Mantra
'The Devil is in the Details.'
and last but not least...
If you would like to see more of Lou's amazing artworks scoot on over to her Flickr Gallery and her Scrapbook.com Gallery . To connect with her, head on over to her a blog 'An Uninterrupted View' for some regular updates on her creative journey and be sure to say hello.
Have a fabulously festive season and stay safe over the New Year celebrations!
Lots of hugs,
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