Hello Friends! Welcome to a series we run on the blog called: Tea & Cake with Gracie :) Gracie interviews inspiring artists and posts the interviews (including some free offers not published elsewhere before) here on the blog every 2 months or so. I love to create art and bring amazing artists & people together in my classes, in person and on social media. I want to help bring more exposure to some of the amazing artists out there! Today Gracie’s interviewing Roben-Marie Smith. Make sure you check out Roben-Marie’s workshop giveaway, video tutorial and art paper freebie below. Roben-Marie’s giving away one spot on her new workshop: SALVAGED: A Layered Pieces Journal! Tam xoxo
Read previous Tea and Cake with Gracie Artist Interviews by clicking on artist’s name: Jeanne-Marie Webb | Kathy Glynn | Donna Mulholland | Wendy Brightbill | Whitney Freya | Violette Clark | Melissa Dinwiddie | Tascha Parkinson | Susana Tavares | Lynn Whipple | Karine Bossé | Jenny Grant | France Papillon | Jenny Wentworth | Kristin Dudish | Rachael Rice | Angela Kennedy (Pennystamper) | Andrea Gomoll |
The sun is beginning to shine here in the South of England and smiles are all around! Where ever you are, I am beaming you sunshine and glitter filled hugs! :) Today I’m so so happy and honoured to share with you my interview with Roben-Marie Smith. I’ve been following Roben-Marie for many years now and LOVE her work! I hope you enjoy the interview too! :) Roben-Marie’s giving away one spot in her new workshop: SALVAGED: A Layered Pieces Journal to one lucky reader! – PLUS she shares with us her process for creating a gorgeous journal page in the video below. Make sure to download Roben-Marie’s fab Freebie Paper Gift too! Thank you for being here :) Much love, light and blessings to you :) Gracie x
1. Welcome Roben-Marie! Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.
I would like to share what is new and exciting to me as a mixed media artist/journal maker. After 15 years of teaching, creating classes (online and in person) and new products, I have recently discovered the profound effect of taking a creative break. I took 2 months off where I rested and created solely for myself. I listened to where my heart wanted to go and gave myself permission to ignore rules and deadlines. I created solely for personal joy and I am still processing the results of this new journey. It has been hugely beneficial to me and the direction of my art.
Roben-Marie’s Giveaway!
Roben-Marie’s giving away one spot in her new workshop:
SALVAGED: A Layered Pieces Journal to one lucky reader! :)
Here’s a little bit about this awesome workshop, from Roben-Marie:
” We will journey from start to finish – creating your own art journal. Transform your relationship with paper as I guide you through an in-depth, hands-on study of the architecture of an art journal.”
*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED *
*GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED*
Thank you to everyone for joining in the giveaway, we loved reading your lovely comments! The randomly drawn winner is:
Chris Kaminski
who said:
We do too Chris! :) Congratulations on winning a spot on Roben-Marie’s new workshop!
Click here to find out more about the SALVAGED workshop!
Roben-Marie’s Freebie Offers!
Check out the inspirational video Roben-Marie created for us:
Click the ‘play button’ to watch this video or click on the review link here: Review Link to see Roben-Marie create this gorgeous journal page:
Roben-Marie is also offering all readers this downloadable Freebie Paper Gift (below) :) (Pls note this is to use and share for personal use only. Thanks for understanding!). Download and print out the high resolution version by right-clicking on the image below and choosing ‘save target as’ / ‘download linked file as’ or by downloading from the link here: Roben-Marie’s downloadable Freebie Paper Gift
Access Roben-Marie’s FREE Resource Library HERE
Learn more about Roben-Marie in the following interview:
2. You say: ‘I have been a working artist for the last ten years, and am self-taught, so I believe that anyone can cultivate their creative spark.’ Can you talk to us about ’self-taught’ and how that looks in your day to day, what things do you do to stay self motivated and focused on your journey, what have you learnt along the way to keep you on track?
It sounds cliche but truly inspiration is everywhere. My favorites are magazines, catalogs and a spirit of curiosity. I stay focused and motivated by my love of experimentation. I am always open to adding new mediums, products and techniques to my work and love to find a unique spin on the tried and true. I love discovering a new skill set that I did not know I possessed. Trusting that what I am is “enough” and pushing through the doubt and dry spells that plaque every artist is what keeps me going season after season. I am increasingly aware that refilling with rest and quiet is one of the most motivating gifts you can give yourself.
3. I love that many pieces of your work include sewing and fabric! Please can you talk to us a bit about that and when/how sewing and fabric started to be added into your work?
My mother made matching outfits for my sister and I as children. That was my introduction to creating with fabric, resulting in an early love of color and texture. As a child, I made stuffed animals and learned to manipulate fabric. When I discovered mixed media as an art form, I was able to combine my love of paint and fabric and I have never looked back.
4. Can you chat to us a bit about how you got into teaching?
I began teaching in 2003 in a local stamp store. I realized that teaching was a great way to share my love of mixed media and journal making while utilizing the organizational skills I possess. 2005 saw my debut as a national instructor both at large convention style events and locally owned art stores. When the technology of online classes became available, I was ready to take a break from all the travel associated with in-person teaching. My tech geek side was born in a flash.
5. What’s on your art table right now?
My newest handmade journal was designed during my recent rest period. Creating for pure joy in this journal opened up a love of salvaged scraps of paper and fabric. I am working in my journal every chance I get. There is something very cathartic about using bits of paper that would normal end up in the trash to create new life.
I am also in the preparation/design stage of my second year participating in the 100 Day Project. I loved it last year as a newbie and this year I am looking forward to it even more now that I know what to expect.
Thank you Roben-Marie for sharing and being here with us! You can find out more about Roben-Marie on her website: robenmarie.com or through the links:
Website: robenmarie.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ robenmarie
Shop: shoprobenmarie.com
Pinterest:
pinterest.com/robenmarie/boards
Access Roben-Marie’s FREE Resource Library HERE
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