the deliberate life

The Artist Unique: An Interview With Carmen Torbus

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm participating in a really great project that was inspired by The Artist Unique by Carmen Torbus. Though we had no set deadline to finish the project, I feel incredibly guilty about how long it's taken me to finish it. My polymer clay project is underway, and you'll see it later this week. Right now, I wanted to share a little interview I was able to do with Carmen. I hope you enjoy it. I find her incredibly inspiring.

When did you first realize you wanted to inspire and support your fellow artists?

 

I’ve always been a cheerleader - the burning desire to support those I believe in, offering encouragement and inspiration has always been there. It is just part of who I am. That said, prior to one random day at a bookstore in early 2008, I didn’t really know any artists.  

 

The moment I picked up a copy of Artful Blogging from that bookstore shelf, I knew that I had to explore mixed media art myself and I knew I had to reach out to the specific artists in the magazine that I was drawn to. I could not wait to get to a computer so I could get to their blogs and tell them how amazing they are! They inspired me so much, I had to learn more about them. Absolutely had to, and I'm so glad I did.

 

They have inspired me over and over and I hope I’ve been able to return the favor to them and to others who are seeking encouragement and inspiration on their creative journeys.  A few of the artists from that issue have become dear friends and I’m incredibly honored to be able to say they’re contributors to my new book.  

 

There are so many wonderful artists out there, how do you keep from comparing yourself to others? How do you stay focused on your own path?

 

The truth is I often fail miserably at this. Thank goodness I have a few wonderful friends I can reach out to when I need support and encouragement. I’ve found it be incredibly helpful to keep moving, continue creating and give myself permission to go with my instincts. Over and over.

 

What does it mean to you to have a book - a real, hold-in-your-hands, buy-at-the-bookstore book?

 

It’s totally surreal. More than anything, it’s proof to myself that I can put a dream out into the world, take steps towards it, ask for support, collaboration and help, then watch it take shape and become reality. It is tangible, hold in my hands, proof. It's motivation for me to continue dreaming, embracing vulnerability and taking risks.

 

What is the one message you want to send to the art community?

 

It is completely ok to be who you are creatively and even more ok to shout it from the rooftops.  It’s also ok to ask for what you need - support, encouragement, advise, help or guidance. It’s ok to share what you know - there is enough to go around.      

 

What five words of advice would you give to someone who is battling a creative rut?

 

Grab a brush & paint something.

 

Thank you again Carmen, for producing such a great book, for being such an inspiration, and for all of the support you've given me throughout the years.

On Where I Am

Time feels like it's flying by so quickly. Busy work days spill over into busy work nights. It's left me doing a lot of sitting quietly and trying to get it to slow down just a tad. That means spending just about any minute I can completely unplugged. Busy as ever, but happier than ever. I'll take it.

I thought I'd give everyone a little look into something I've been working on - something giving me so much joy right now.

Do you have The Artist Unique by Carmen Torbus yet? If not, you really should pick it up. I was fortunate to be asked by Carmen to be a part of a fun little project involving the book. The premise? A few artists Christine Mason Miller , Mary Anne Radmacher , Liz Kalloch, and myself would pick one of the great techniques in The Artist Unique and create something using it. The catch? It was to be given to someone as a gift. We also were to ask Carmen a series of questions and share her insights on our blog. Wait 'til you see what we talked about it. It was great!

I haven't finished my gift yet, but I did spend the evening writing a review for The Artist Unique for the September/October issue of Somerset Studio. I thought I'd share a bit of it here:

The first time I ever worked with Carmen Torbus was on an article for Artful Blogging. Right away, I knew she was something special. Her enthusiasm for her own art, and for others’ art was refreshing. A little over a year after that initial contact I was lucky enough to meet her at The Creative Connection Event in Minneapolis. Again, I was impressed and inspired by her spirit. Being around her made me instantly feel supported and encouraged.

            Words cannot adequately describe how excited I was for The Artist Unique to come out. I had known for some time she was working on it, and I knew it was bound to be a hit. And a hit it is.

I'm hoping to get the project done within the next few days so I can share it with you. I'll give you a hint: it involves something i'm terrified of working with. Polymer clay!

Oh, and I forgot to add another reason I'm such a fan of Carmen's ... we're birthday twins! :)

On Trusting the Mess

I’m a firm believer that the Universe gives you exactly what you need when you need it most. As I drove to Christine’s studio for Sabrina Ward Harrison’s Trust the Mess workshop I was experiencing a lot of unrest. I couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but I knew I hadn’t been feeling like myself in quite some time. Things were just off.

            As I sat on the floor, journal in hand, free-writing to the prompts given to us by Sabrina I lost it. The tears flowed. Emotions that I didn’t even know I had been feeling came out on the page. I turned to the girl next to me and read it all out loud, unable to hold the tears back once again. She reached over and gave me a huge hug and in that moment went from being a stranger to a friend.

            It is really hard to describe all that went on this weekend to those who didn’t attend. Sabrina touched us deeply through heartfelt writing prompts and poetry. We painted on giant sheets of paper using just our hands. We sanded. We gessoed. We cried. We laughed. We formed a tribe. I know my words will never give it justice.

            What I can say is that I’ll forever be thankful for Christine, who made it all happen, and for Sabrina who gave so much of herself so that we could in turn, give ourselves. I’ll always treasure each and every woman who was there. To listen without judgment is one of the greatest gifts you can give someone, and every one of these special women did this, and I thank them for that.

 

And most importantly, I know what I first perceived as a breakdown, was really a breakthrough.

This Very Moment

A couple weeks ago, I was blessed to receive a small package from the very talented Jenni Horne, an artist whose messages of positivity I admire greatly. When I opened it, I was delighted to find this ...

This bracelet is a reminder that each and every passing moment is my now. And that no matter where you've been, or where you're going, now is what matters most.

A Gift from a Kindred Spirit

In my position, I'm blessed to be able to connect and get to know artists who I have so much in common with. Like so many other artists, I grew up feeling a bit different from my friends because my interests varied so much. Ever since beginning at Stampington, I feel like I'm connecting with "my kind of people." Everyone I've gotten to know is truly fascinating and each has a unique story of their own to tell.

    One such artist who I've been able to get to know is Samantha Kira Harding, better known as Kira. When I was managing Art Journaling, I was blown away when her journals appeared on my desk. Her journaling is raw, heartfelt, and colorful. Through e-mail, I've gotten to know her, and she is just as wonderful as her journals. So imagine my surprise when I opened my mailbox and saw a package from her. What was in it?

 

First, this fantastic custom card. Isn't it adorable? I LOVE silhouettes, so naturally I love this.

 

But the true treasure is this handmade journal. She couldn't have picked out a more perfect print for the cover if I had picked it out myself. And when I opened it, my heart was warmed by the message she shared.

Thank you Kira. Of course for the gift, but also for supporting me, and believing in me.

I urge you to go to her blog, where you can watch her outstanding videos and see her latest work.

Be Bold

About a year ago I stumbled across Christine Mason Miller's blog and was instantly drawn to it. Her positive thoughts and her mission to seek out Ordinary Sparkling Moments (also the title of her book) spoke to my heart.

    Naturally, I was thrilled to be given the chance to work with her and am so happy to still be working with her on some upcoming projects. Her energy (even if by e-mail) is absolutely contagious and I am delighted whenever I see an e-mail come in from her.

    When I received Ordinary Sparkling Moments, Christine was nice enough to include a number of prints of her work. I've posted them around my office, in the spots where I'm most likely to look to when I need some inspiration. Placed on the back of my door, I've posted this print. It's the last thing I see each day when I leave the office and serves as a reminder to always be bold in my dreams. 

    Thank you Christine, for being a constant source of inspiration.