The wonderful Lulu is teaching two very fun workshops at our upcoming Fall Art Retreat at Loon Lake Lodge – Maple Ridge, BC!
Tuesday Sep 17th ~ ‘Shadow Box Dollhouse’
Wednesday Sep 18th ~ ‘All Bottled Up’
- Which Artist inspires you the most & why?: Oh, so many inspiring artists! I think Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo are way up there because of their portraits that are filled with emotion. Paul Klee, Marc Chagall, Katie Kendrick, and Jill Mayberg because of their way with line, pattern, color, and playfulness.
- What would you love to try next, creatively?: I want to do some larger sculptural pieces with gut. I know it sounds icky, but I’ve done some small pieces with it and I just love the potential it has. I also want to get back into doing art quilts.
- Where do you find your muse/inspiration?: I love folkwear and folk art, nature, and people watching – faces! Fairy tales and kids’ books. Fabric stores.
- I like to teach because: It’s really fun to show people that yes, they can be creative and express themselves! It’s also just so much fun to get together to make art, to experiment, and to inspire one another.
- Who do you creatively relate with? I.E. Who does your work remind you of?: Hmm… It depends on which work we’re talking about because I dabble in a variety of styles. I think I’m still at a stage of being influenced by a lot of other artists. In general,I guess I would say that my work reminds me of Mexican folk art – colorful and fun.
- The best part of living a creative life is: Trying lots of different things and playing with materials – being surprised a lot – and happy!
- What is the worst part of living a creative life?: I love materials so much that I have too much stuff. I’m always thinking, “Oh, I might be able to use that in a piece!” It would be nice to have way less clutter.
- What advice would you like to share?: Give yourself permission to make mistakes, and even to make ugly art. It’s all a process. With practice your work will eventually start to look like what you envision – or you will follow the trail that the “mistakes” take you on and find something even more exciting!
- The best advice I have ever received is: “Let go and dance with it.” A painting teacher said this to me. It took about 28 years for me to follow this advice. (I just didn’t draw or paint for all that time because I didn’t think I was any good at it. Then I followed my own advice above, and now I can follow his advice!)
- ‘Being creative’ means: You are receptive to seeing or hearing something that inspires you to act upon it in some way. I know a lot of non-artists who are very creative in other endeavors – teaching, inventing, experimenting scientifically… We just need to be open to new ways of thinking about things. “What would happen if I did this…?”
- Name your favorite book of all time?: Is it even possible to name just one? How about Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman, by Maira Kalman? I love all her kids’ books – I think they’re hilarious. There’s also In and Out of the Garden, by Sara Midda. It’s a beautiful watercolor garden journal. Also, The Courage to Create by Rollo May. Good stuff.
- What was your scariest creative adventure?: My scariest would have to be my Bachelor of Fine Arts final project. It took over a year and a lot of experimentation to be able to do what I wanted to do, but the scariest part of it was that it was very autobiographical and psychologically dark. Of course, a lot of viewers didn’t even realize any of that, and some even described it as really fun. But I had to give a presentation to my fellow art students in the textiles department, and I bared it all. I felt really shaky after delivering that presentation, but a lot of people told me how much they appreciated my honesty.
- The thing I love most about my life is: That I am following my heart. Creativity is my passion, and I am so blessed right now to have this time to be creative.
- What makes your heart swell with joy?: That I was lucky enough to find someone who could love me for who I really am, and who supports my artistic endeavors and knows the importance of following one’s heart.
- Three words to describe my work are: Colorful, playful, humorous.
- What creative tool can you not live without (so-to-speak)?: My eyes – to take in color and form. I would be so sad if I couldn’t see color.
- My favorite ‘pretend’ curse word is: Rassn-frassn-riff-raff, dang it, and rats.
CLICK HERE to register! (printable pdf file)