ARTIST HUB GUEST ARTIST ROBEN-MARIE SMITH

For this month our Artist Hub Exposé is all about Roben-Marie Smith.
Introducing the amazing.... ROBEN-MARIE SMITH

Here is her story...
Tell us a little bit about you.

Roben-Marie Smith is a mixed media artist, instructor and designer. She is an introvert who works hard to be an extrovert, her favorite color is green, she has been married for over 24 years, she digs football, is a God's girl and a computer geek.  She does not like wearing shoes, is a loyal friend, would rather give than receive, is afraid of heights and likes to read historical fiction.  She embraces a variety of music genres, once rode a camel, makes amazing made-from-scratch brownies, likes to laugh but sometimes takes things too seriously and one day would like to say that making things for others is her job! :)

Her creative interests include designing rubber stamps, mixed media collage, art journaling and mail art. She shares her talents through on-line teaching and blogging.  Her work has been published in several books and numerous national magazines.  In addition to designing and teaching classes, she is the owner of Paperbag Studios which offers a full line of rubber art stamps.   

Do you have a certain style?

My style is messy, grungy and colorful!  My style has evolved over the years from a conservative, less-is-more approach to something more bold and wild!  

What does art mean to you?

As far back as I can remember, I have been a creative person.  Art is a part of who I am, and like I was as a child, I still find comfort and personal satisfaction in creating.  Art is my way of bringing beauty into the world. I art journal because it is so personal.  I am not content to simply document with just the written word.  I need to express myself with color and texture and images!  Need I say that art journaling is also fun!?
  
What was your biggest challenge when you began art journaling and did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge when I began art journaling was over-thinking the process.  I am so neat and organized in so many areas of my life that I brought that approach to art journaling and it just didn't work for me.  Once I began to loosen up and relax and just allow the pages to evolve without much forethought is when I truly began to enjoy art journaling and other forms of creating.

Where do you work and what is your favourite piece you have created and why?

I have a small studio at home. It is a 12x10 room with a view of the canal.  I work best while listening to a movie or sports on my television rather than music. I have lots of shelving that houses my supplies in bins and baskets. In the center is my worktable that is usually found covered in paints and pens.  

My favourite piece of artwork changes as I create but right now it is a mail art piece that even inspired a series. 

What is your greatest influence and wher do you find inspiration?

I have been influenced by great teachers and stretching myself into new mediums. Art for me is all about evolving.  My biggest challenge is to remain confident to keep trying new things. Frustration can get the best of me when I am not successful at something the first time. I have to practice patience and keep doing.  Persistence is the key for me.  Getting up and going into the studio even when I am not inspired or feeling creative and realizing that I have to focus on what I love has been helpful.  Many things inspire me, including nature, photography, textiles, paintings but mostly I can't find that I can't wait for ideas to emerge.  The more I spend time creating, the more inspired I become and things just come to me while I work.

  Watch the Process - I GET TO art journal page from Roben-Marie Smith on Vimeo.

Lastly is there anything you'd like to share that may inspire our readers?

I would like to offer some creative tips:

1. Don't compare your work to the work of others.

2. Be honest with yourself.

3. Don't be intimidated.

4. Be willing to try new things.

5. Make time to create!

A couple of quotes:

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy~

"Try to make at least one person happy every day. If you cannot do a kind deed, speak a kind word. If you cannot speak a kind word, think a kind thought. Count up, if you can, the treasure of happiness that you would dispense in a week, in a year, in a lifetime!" ~Lawrence G. Lovasik~

How cool is that video thank you so much for sharing your creative process Roben-Marie you are so inspirational. If you would like to connect further with Roben-Marie check out her links below and check out her digital products in her Etsy store!
Website
Etsy
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram