— The featured artist of the 101st issue of Living the Photo Artistic Life magazine is Australian AWAKE artist Ann Lavin. I’m pleased to share this short interview with Ann here on Quill and Camera . . .
Q: “Tell me a little of how you got started?”
At the age of 15, Saturday mornings and holidays, I worked in a fashion boutique. I decided I wanted to leave school as the owner offered to train me in all aspects of the fashion business. I eventually started my own fashion design label, dealing with and supplying many boutiques plus a private clientele.
When I retired, I needed something artistic to keep me busy. I started scrapbooking and working in mixed media, but as we began to downsize, my supplies simply took up too much room. So, traveling the Net I fell across Digital Artistry and made friends with Billa Bozem who sent me a link to Photoshop Artistry and then encouraged me to join AWAKE. The artistic journey this made possible has been wonderful.
Q: “What is it that inspires your work?”
So many things. Books, colours, nature, dreams, people . . . And what just comes out of my brain — which I cannot explain.
Q: “Do you have a preferred approach to creating your canvases?”
Might sound odd, but I really have no set pattern to the way I work. Each composition evolves in its own way.
Sometimes I will choose a background or subject, bring it up on the screen . . . and off I go.
Other times I am excited because I know exactly what I want to do with a composition.
Although even then, most times that changes (LOL!) and I end up off in some other direction. And I kinda like when that happens; it’s as if someone else has control.
Q: “What does living a photo artistic life mean to you?”
Living an artistic life in general is SO very important to me. It wakes me up and makes me aware of the beauty that surrounds us. You can find beauty everywhere — in a walk along the beach, on a trip through the country, while spending time with friends.
Living a photo artistic life makes me so much more positive. And the friendships and knowledge gained from the groups is something I treasure.
Q: “Any tips for aspiring artists?”
If you are new to digital art or feeling that you’re just struggling along . . . keep at it. You’re probably much closer to a breakthrough than you realize. Just never give up.
Watch the tutorials, immerse yourself in the group, and watch how other artists are creating. If you keep working you’ll get good yourself. In time you might even find yourself developing your own style — saying something new with your art and saying it in a new way.