Artsy Blog Hop Part 1

What is this Artsy Blog Hop all about?

 

Artists from all over the world have come together each week to share their answers to the following questions along with photos of their work and more.

 

I'm almost hesitant to call myself an artist when I consider my company. There are so many insanely talented ladies in my circles who have amazing vision and talent. I was really flattered that Amber Button of Crafty Button Design would even consider me as part of this project. And OH-EM-GEE, people...I'm sending you on to the incomparable Anna Aspnes.

 

 

How does your creative process work?

 

To start off, it would probably help to know that I'm primarily a digital artist. More specifically, I create digital scrapbook products. A lot of my original work evolves from curating ephemera to incorporate into my shabby eclectic style and from getting messy with paint and inks in the craft room. I scan everything and then use Photoshop and Illustrator to create brushes and overlays.

 

 

 

I'm just going to put this out there. I'm not really creative. Not in the same sense that most artistic people are. I'm extremely left-brained. Everything to me is linear and formulaic. I'm pretty smart, and not only do I learn things quickly, but I am also able to recall formulas, rules, etc. to output "art" that meets my current objective.

 

Do I experiment? Sure. It's part of the learning process. I do a lot of work in Photoshop, and I'm constantly playing with variables of filters, blend modes, etc. and observing the results. Occasionally, I find a new or better way to do something or I stumble upon an entirely "new" idea.

 

 

My work

 

You can see my work here. I've been designing digital scrapbook products since October 2007, and I've been at Sweet Shoppe Designs since May 2009. I work with talented, motivated ladies who really help keep me working on my craft and being the best version of myself.

 

 

How does your work differ from others of its genre?

 

Unlike the paper craft industry, there aren't many digital designers who do the romantic, shabby chic style. And because I love mixed media so much, I tend to merge the styles. Here are a couple of my products that really showcase my style:

 

 

 

 

What are you working on now? (physical and/or digital)

 

I'm always working on my next digital scrapbook product release. Currently, I'm excited about a collaboration with Crafty Button Design. Here's a little sneak peek:

 

 

I'm also in lots of classes and groups: One Little Word, Life Book 2014, The Documented Life Project and more. I don't stay up-to-date with the lessons, but I love that they are there for me when I'm ready to sit and play.

 

 

Why do you do what you do?

I originally started as an extension of telling my stories. I think I kept doing it because I enjoy the learning process and I like pretty things. I like the process of having a vision realized. And I LOVE that people use my art to help tell their own stories.