FEATURE & More GELATO girls

Woohoo, another feature :)

Please visit Featured Artist on Melanie Statnickart
I've included my Interview Questions and Answers below :)
 

And..... some more artwork - Using my wonderful Faber Castell Gelatos again :)
Thanks for visiting me :)

Melanie Statnicks Interview with me :)

MS: Tell me about you

Hi, I’m Lorri from Perth, Western Australia

MS: How did you get your start in Art Journaling?

I’ve always loved art, I originally started out rubber stamping about 25 years ago. With an insatiable desire for printed matter, notebooks & stationery, it stood to reason that one day I would have a paper art store. I closed the store a few years ago and decided to focus on making art and I am loving the process. Art Journaling was an excellent ‘escape’ for me – I found it very therapeutic, and immediately was hooked. I used to keep a diary as a young girl, so Art Journaling is like taking that diary to another level. The artistic possibilities for art journaling, is almost limitless and incredibly inspiring!

MS: What size of Journal do you prefer to create in and why? 

At first I began using A5 blank page notebooks, I wasn’t happy with the quality of paper, so I started to use watercolor pads, which held the paint and glues much better. I am currently using the Dylusions 8x10 journal, I’m now onto my 2nd – The quality of the paper is fair & it’s big enough for me to ‘see’ what I’m doing ha-ha

MS: Do you set a goal to journal every day, or do you have to be in the mood?

I try to do something artistic everyday - if I don’t I feel starved. If I am in an unhappy ‘mood’ then art journaling is the best thing for me, as it lifts me up. Like reading a good book, journaling for me is an escape into another world.

MS: Do you keep a travel journal and tool kit with you?

Yes, I have a little kit with a pencil case big enough to hold a mini journal or notebook to take out with me. I will sit while waiting for appointments and either sketch, write or tangle in my books. I like to visit cafes and relax with a coffee and my imagination.

 

MS: Where do you get your ephemera from and what do you use to adhere it with?

I collect vintage postcards and images, then I will scan them and print. I create digital collage sheets (and sell them via my etsy store) I like working digitally, but prefer to feel the pencil in my hand and the paint on my fingers. I will use a gel medium, such as Golden, or sometimes if I’m on the go – a glue stick works too!

 

MS: What organic objects have you used in your journal to create interesting texture?

Hmm, I don’t really adhere much other than paper to my journal pages – I prefer the paint and drawings to be textural in appearance. I like to use light and shade, often sticking down pieces of torn papers, map pages etc. and for me, I find this is enough… and less bulky too

MS: Name some of your challenges as you begin a new page and what prompts do you use to move past them?

I used to find that the biggest challenge was actually starting, but I overcome that by first of all choosing a color palette, then I begin to lay down some paint, or spray the page with ink. It begins to ‘flow’ then. Also, I will often begin by sketching a face somewhere on the blank page and then I work around it. If I’m totally stuck, I will begin a collage of sorts, by gluing down random pieces of paper in a color theme. Sometimes the collage papers will tell a story, so I will run with that. I allow my emotions to be present and will use them as ‘prompts’ for the theme of the page.

MS: Name some of your must have tools and/ or mediums you use in your art journal.

Pencils – 2b and graphite, Gesso, acrylic paint, ink sprays, stencils, ephemera/papers.

MS: What technique have you found to be the most difficult for you?

Often I have difficulty with shading, correcting the light source.

MS: Do you write in your art journal like a diary? Or does your art you work inspire you to write? 

Yes, both. I write in my journals – but, I often paint over it so it becomes secret journaling. My pictures I draw often inspire the words to write.

MS: What tips do you have for the beginner?

Do not be afraid, every page will be different and the more you do, the better you will become. Your journal can be for your eyes only – so don’t pressure yourself to create something artfully amazing - just begin, make the start and soon you will discover that it is highly addictive, very relaxing and fun!

Thank you so much for sharing with us about your Art Journal Process. Happy Creating!