I was so happy to be able to interview Violette! She's been one of my favorite artists since I started blogging and found her youtube videos;) She has a brand new book out called Journal Bliss, check it out here! I hope you enjoy the interview and get as much from it as I did......
1. How did you get your start as an artist, and are you able to do art full time, or do you have a "day" job also?
Well my journey as an artist was not a linear one. I
have always drawn and doodled ever since I was a little girl. When my
kids were young I drew cartoons and caricatures on a freelance basis - but
basically I was a stay at home Mom. My husband at the time was the
breadwinner. Now I make money creating art but do supplement my income
with a bit of savings every now and then. Mr. G lives with me, it
helps to have his income too. I plan on making more from my art career
this year - online classes, e-books, and workshops in my studio. My goal
is to have Mr. G quit his job and work with me - he's very good at managing and
taking care of details - things I'm not so great at!
2. Were your family and friends supportive? For those of us whose
family and/or friends just don't get it, don't understand the passion we have
for art, and just send out bad energy, can you give any advice as to how to not
let others negativity put doubts in our head? **(I'm not sure if I worded that
right, but I feel that my family just does not support my creative dreams, and
I hate having that negative energy pull me down)
Well I can't say that my family and friends have always been
supportive. My folks didn't want me to go into art because they thought I
would starve to death. Their fear was well meant however to someone who
really loved art it was devastating. Thankfully I have good friends who support
me in my artsy endeavours. Fortunately my grown kids have been very
supportive - my son Ryan is my webmaster, he created my website and my daughter
Jessica who is a graphic designer did all the graphics for www.violette.ca . I think though, very
often our family members want the best for us although of course, that is
according to their own beliefs and feelings? I believe it's important to
surround yourself with people who believe in your artistic dreams. When
you share your creations (your baby) with others make sure they are with people
who support you otherwise you will feel "shot down" and may stop
creating. I surrounded myself with friends who believed in me. I
called them my bohemian tribe. Find your tribe of people whether they be
in your life now or online. You can always find your tribe by posting notices
in cafes and online places such as Craigslist so you can meet up with
likeminded people. That's a powerful way to keep your creative mojo
going! Read an article I wrote about "Finding your Creative Tribe"
http://ezinearticles.com/?
3.How long have you kept a visual journal? What are your favorite visual
journaling supplies (those things that you would feel necessary to take with
you to journal on the go)? Do you make your own journals, or do you have a
favorite brand?
I think I started Visual Journaling around 9/11 - that's about 8 years ago isn't it? It was a very powerful time for me. My favourite supplies are twinkling H2O's (I'll have to find an alternative since Luminarte is going out of business unfortunately), micron pens for inking in my lines, watercolour pencil crayons, Mod Podge for gluing things down and collaging a variety of ephemera to my pages. I also like Golden fluid acrylics and glitter glue like Stickles. I always have the necessary basics of a few Micron pens, water-color pencil crayons, mechanical pencil and a moleskin notepad. At home I usually use loose cardstock pages for my journal pages and then I bullclip them together. In the past I have used coilbound black books in a variety of sizes.
4. Is there a difference between an art journal and a visual journal? Does it just depend on what you want to call it?
I feel an art journal and a visual journal are the same thing. You know the funny thing is I can't remember why I started calling my journals Visual Journals rather than art journals.....all I know is that when I combined visuals along with words powerful things began to happen in my life. I did not stay stuck as long as I used to and moved much more quickly through my "stuff"...that's why I'm such a fanatic about Visual Journaling.
5. I'm a big procrastinator, and it really holds me back. I know that SARK is a big influence for you, do you practice micromovements?
Oh you're so right! Sark has been my biggest
inspiration and influence! I just adore her and her inspiring
books. Yes I practise micromovements (but now I call them taking
"one bite at a time") when I get overwhelmed by life and
getting my art out there. Every now and then I'll ask myself "
what's the worst that could happen if I did this project or sent out that piece
of art to a magazine??? Would I rather dream about the possibilities or
"Live the dream"........the last few years it's been more about
"living the dream". Dreams do come true! Oh and just to
let you know I do still procrastinate.....A LOT however I do much more than I
used to. My partner Mr. G helps get on my case when I procrastinate too
much.....he helps to keep me on track and encourage me. I think you can
always find a friend who will call you and keep you on track like a
Coach. If worse comes to worse you can hire a coach (I have) to help you
achieve your goals.
Well I do believe that my book is different in that it's super duper colourful, full of a variety of different techniques - the styles vary a fair amount, I think that way things don't get too repetitive or boring. I wanted to show people that you can illustrate all kinds of happenings in your life. My book is full of little vignettes - stories of my life and how they tie into my art. Also I am happy to report that I was able to sneak my philosophy into Journal Bliss here and there - about grabbing the brass ring, creating your reality and a bit about "core beliefs". I think the general message of my book is to follow your dreams, one of the most powerful ways to do this is through keeping a visual journal or art making in general. I have been wanting to publish a book for quite a few years - I've met up with a fair amount of rejection over the years.......part of what I have done though is to put myself out there in a gradual way - first started having articles and art published in online zines, then onto Creativity Portal.com then in actual print magazines, then into two other author's books and then finally once the editors began to recognize my name it was easier to pitch them a book idea. It's taken me many many years to become an "over night success"! Ha!
7. How can we go about finding our own creative voice?
I believe you can do that by drawing or creating every day. Try different techniques that speak to you, go online and visit the blogs and websites of artist's that do what you would like to be doing. Sitting still and listening to that still small voice within is a good thing. Now you might think this is a bit weird but I often let the piece tell me what it wants to be. That's where listening to the small voice within comes in. Sometimes you get a prompting to draw....oh let's say Twiggy (she's in my book) so you start to draw her and the next thing you know you get the feeling you should journal about what it felt like to draw Twiggy as a child. The piece unfolds from there. It's as if there is an unseen hand guiding your art. It's pretty cool! Things will begin to emerge - you will find a pattern - you'll find that you are attracted to certain colours, styles (vintage? whimsical? Contemporary?). Look at your magazine stash. What does it say to you? Are they all about mixed media? What art makes you gasp with excitement? You will find clues in all of that! It's like uncovering your authentic self, which is the key - to be yourself and not a carbon-copy of someone else. That's where I have used the saying "Dig your magic"... sometimes it does take a fair amount of digging but it's all worth it.
8. One last question, since I promised a short interview! If you were on a desert island and could only have 2 inspirational books with you, what 2 would you choose?
Well I would probably bring Julia Cameron's Artist's Way and Sark's Inspiration Sandwich (since that was Sark's first book I read and was turned on to embracing the colour and joy in life).
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions!!
Thanks for asking me these thought provoking questions Trish!
