Creative Q&A, with thanks to Patience Brewster

I’ve long been a fan of artist Patience Brewster—I love her delicate, whimsical style and have purchased many of her illustrated greeting cards to give away and (let’s be honest) to keep because I loved them so much.

Here’s one of my favorite designs from her greeting card line. It’s called Encouragement Fairy & Pencil Card.

I was pretty excited to be asked to join her efforts to share about myself as an artist. As part of a blog series, various creatives were asked some questions about our artistic influences. I thought the questions were a lot of fun and really got me thinking. (I also think you guys might like them for your own journaling prompts or art journal pages.)

You can read Patience’s own Q& A on her blog as well, and see some of her new Christmas ornaments here.

Okay, so here’s me—enjoy!

1. As a child, do you recall a significant moment when you felt truly affected or inspired by any particular artwork or artist?

I was—and still am—an avid reader, so the illustrations in children’s books had a huge impact. Think back to some of your favorite books from childhood, and you can probably visualize the way the characters and scenery were drawn, painted or sketched. It has such an effect on the way you read the story, doesn’t it? I think of Garth Williams (Charlotte’s Web), Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are and the Little Bear books) and Louis Darling, who illustrated many of Beverly Cleary’s books (which I read to tatters) like Beezus & Ramona.

Probably my favorite was Ellen Raskin, who used typography and word play in her illustrations for Nothing Ever Happens on My Block, Figs & Phantoms, The Mysterious Disappearance of Leon (I Mean Noel) and The Westing Game. I pored over these illustrations. I mean, I studied them.

2. As an artist, what do you hope to convey with your work?

My main medium is paper—cards, journals, books and jewelry. My main focus with all of these is to teach others how to create them as well, so I hope to convey my belief that we are all creative and with some inspiration and a bit of instruction, anyone can feel the same sense of achievement and accomplishment that comes with making something.

In both my commercial designs and my personal work, I am constantly exploring the combination of words with imagery. I think it’s an especially powerful mix and can communicate so much. I guess that’s why my Eclectica stamp sets from PaperArtsy are wordy and texty! 🙂

3. What memorable responses have you had to your work?

Many years ago, I had a line called sarabooks™ with Hot Off The Press. These were kits where you could combine papers, heartfelt quotes and altering techniques to create a simply-bounded book. I traveled a few times to Australia to teach classes. After one class, a woman walked up to me and quietly told me that she was dying of cancer. The book she created in class was going to be for her 12-year-old daughter, as a memory to leave behind after she passed. Needless to say, I was speechless and humbled to be a part of this woman’s story and I often think of her and her daughter—who I glimpsed waiting for her mother after class.

4. What is your dream project?

Ohhhh….where to start? Or rather, where to stop? I have lots of projects in my mental queue but I think a big dream project would be to set up a proper studio space that I own. We moved to Amsterdam in 2007 and then to Poland in 2012 and I’ve always had a crafting or studio space of some sort. (Some smaller, crampier and colder than others!) However, they’ve always been in rented apartments or houses and there’s only so much customizing you can do. I’d love to create a creative space that’s truly my own.

5. What artists, of any medium, do you admire? (Famous or not!)

The incomparable Maya Angelou for words and poetry. Madonna for constant reinvention on stage, screen and video. Christian Dior, for his influential New Look in fashion. Renoir and Vermeer for sheer beauty and storytelling with paint. And…your average preschooler for a complete lack of fear when it comes to any art supply.

What about you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on these questions—post a response or send me a message. I think the questions also make for great journaling and art journaling prompts too!

And, you can read Patience’s own Q& A on her blog as well, and see some of her new Christmas ornaments here.

Happy Friday!