interviewed

1. Why do you scrapbook? 

First of all, I don't. It's true, I made some LOs in my life but I was ususally "forced" by my despotic friends and none of these works was proper scrapbooking. What do I do? Collage? Journaling? Decoupage sometime? I still don't know who I will become when I grow up... ;)

2. Is there anything that you find particularly inspring?

 Words. Vintage photos. Sometimes when somebody is telling something I have this ready collage putting itself together in my head. But inspiration is everywhere - in the streets, in light and colours, in fleeting moments that are asking to be captured.

3. Do you consider yourself an artist?

 I've had countless discussions about it. Why so many of us are so afraid to call ourselves Artists (yes, capital "A")? Because we don't have a proper diploma? Beacuse others will think of us as of conceited little ladies aspiring to be great? So often we avoid the "A" word using the ever so safe "crafts" or vaguely struggling to explain what we do. But what to call all those amazing works that we see (and create) every day?  What should we call all those people who move us deeply, who make us remember certain images for long, who give us wings and awake completely new levels of creativity?
Today I decided to take the risk and as an experiment say for the first time: Yes. I feel I'm an Artist.
I just can't imagine my life without glueing/painting/transfering my emotions to paper.

4. Is there any kind of product or tool that you can't do without in your creative process?

 Without coffee. And scissors.

5. Tell us about your creative process.

 The most often "a splinter of my imagination flares up from a word". But the fuse is different every time. Sometimes I create something in one go, sometimes my collages need to mature, to ripen. My very favourite moment of the process is when I loose touch with reality, when there is no sense of time or space and my work "makes itself" as if it knew better that me where it's heading.

6. Is there any tool or product that you dream about? 

 Well, I wouldn't mind a big van of vintage photos ;) And like so many of us I dream about my own studio where I would have this huge wall covered with cuttings and inspirations and four big tables to have my projects accessible at all times with no need to tidy...

7. Are you into shop bought supplies or do you prefer recycling?

I don't say no to all sorts of yummy gadgets but I find it the most satisfying when I create something out of material not originally intended for art. It's a bit like turning the prose of life into poetry. As you may know by now, I simply can't calmly read a magazine right now - everywhere I see potential for collage.  ;)

8. Is there anyone - an artist - that you model yourself on?

 I find this question a bit awkward. I wouldn't say there is anyone I try to follow or imitate. I would rather say that I find certain people inspiring although as we all know too well - there is a very thin line between inspiration and imitation... Therefore I try really hard to remember to be myself in my works even after "swallowing" a huge deal of inspiration in wonderful land of blog. It's not an easy task as first you need to know "who you are but who is so lucky?"
Who inspires me? The list is endless but on top of it I would always put my darling friends from Collage Caffe - Cynka, Urtica and Tymonsyl.  Every single time (!) when I "meet" with their works I feel deeply moved on many different kinds of levels.  They are true Artists of incredible power. 
I'm also immensly impressed by people who manage to grow  - using their own talent and strength - here I will just mention one name and this is Martyna whose progress, skills and huge talent never stop amazing me.

9. Do you sell your works?

Not at the moment but I have some ideas and dreams on the list.