I'm so delighted to host and interview with acclaimed artist Violette Naranjo Clark. She took time out of her busy schedule to answer a bunch of my questions. I'm in love with her magical art! Please enjoy.
1. Please tell me
about yourself in general. How did you get into art, and at what age?
What prompted you to continue exploring art? Has art been like a red
thread in your life?
I
have always loved art and created it ever since I was a little girl. My
earliest memory is of drawing faces - particularly Twiggy who was a well
known British model. I was 8 or 9 at the time. Drawing and art has
always been a saving grace in my life. I would turn to it time and time
again for solace and simply to express myself. As a shy child it was a
wonderful outlet for me. Some of my other fond memories are of drawing
comics with my little sister when we were camping.I kept drawing when I had children, teaching them to draw as well as making a variety of crafts. As a result of this both of my children now have creative careers - one a film maker and the other a Game creator (for his own business). Yes - it's been a red thread in my life, always giving me bliss and saving me at the same time. One other thing that has been a common thread in my life is helping others. Art enabled me to illustrate brochures and articles for non-profit organizations as well as creating art for them. Part of why I love to create art and showcase it on my blog, facebook and instagram is because I love to inspire others to believe in themselves and to embrace their creativity.
2. What made you choose to paint whimsical? You have an obvious talent for drawing. Have you done illustrations?
Thank
you! Yes - I have a whimsical bent and am attracted to all things
whimsical so naturally that shows up in my art journal pages as well as
the illustrations I have created. My illustrations have been featured
on Rubberstamps, clipart, greeting cards, , colouring books, bookmarks,
prints and bags among other things. In my book called Journal Bliss the
editors wanted me to illustrate the how-tos as well as create the art
journal pages.
Freak Note.
3. You have a fabulous house. Can you tell me the story how that came about? Why is it purple? (Among other colors.)
Oh
- you're talking about my magic cottage - my sanctuary for all things
creative, spiritual and peaceful. Twenty years ago during a major life
change I bought this little cottage in a seaside town called White
Rock. I surrounded myself with supportive friends whom I affectionately
dubbed my Bohemian Tribe - they were creative, spiritual and
open-minded. They supported me in all of my wackiness and even helped me
paint the cottage in a rainbow of colours. It all came to be in a rather
organic fashion. The house was white when I first moved into it and I
instantly knew that It had to be purple! It has been purple ever
since! Once I had a dream that many of the answers to my questions
would be revealed if I began painting my doors. So I painted the doors
with all kinds of fun imagery and things truly did unfold magically
afterwards. My home was featured on a number of different shows
including Weird Homes TV show. It was also featured in magazines and in
newspapers.
My home and where I live is almost as important as my art - I guess it's a way that I express myself.
Magic cottage and pansies.
Noel at Magic Cottage.
Violette at graffiti wall in Barcelona.
4. Do you like to teach art? Where and what do you teach? How did you get into teaching?
Yes
I like to teach art but moreso online that in person. I'm an HSP Highly
Sensitive Person and get pretty exhausted from being around crowds of
people. So delivering online workshops works beautifully for my
temperament. I'm teaching for Willowing's LIFEBOOK 2015 and also Art
Journal Summer School. I also have some older online workshops which you
can find on my website www.violette.ca
5. In one sentence, what is your art mission?
My mission is to inspire women and teens to embrace their creativity through art - self-discovery through art.
6. Who influenced you early on?
I
have been influenced by the impressionists when I was young and later
as a young Mom I was very much influenced by Sark - she basically gave
me permission to be who I am and embrace myself totally. My world filled
with colour and eccentricity after I began buying and devouring her
books. Of course if you are talking about back when I was a teenager I
would say my art teacher Mr. Rankin was a big influence on me.
Crones.
Domino guy.
7. Who is your favorite artist(s)?
Right
now it would be Antonio Gaudi since we just returned from Spain. But I
also love the work of many other artists, Chagall, Danny Gregory, Dan
Price, Jane Davenport, Suzi Blu, there are so many mixed media artists
that I enjoy today - way too many to list!
8. Do you have any art plans for the future, or are you teaching somewhere you would like to mention?
I
am teaching with LIFEBOOK 2015 and have just finished up teaching at
Art Journal Summer School. I am planning a licensing program for coaches
and teachers of girls and teens so that they can deliver creative
healing tools to their young charges.
Fun World.
My Muse and Violette.
Violette at 61.
9. What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
My
advice is to follow the voice in your heart and don't try too hard to
be like other artists. Try not to compare yourself to others either
because you have a unique set of gifts to bring into the world which no
one else can share. Here's an example. My book Journal Bliss which
came out over 6 years ago was all about art journaling. It was one of
the first books on journaling…….there were lots coming out about mixed
media art. The trend at the time was to have the artists/authors fly in
to the publishing house's studio so they could be photographed creating
their mixed media pieces. The company did not want to fly me in but
wanted me to illustrate the how-tos. I realized that part of what made
me unique was my background in cartooning and illustration so I had
originally held off showing them my cartoony work thinking they would
not like it. In the end that's what made me unique. Also previously,
my work and art appeared in Rice Freeman Zachary's book Living the
Creative Life. My illustrations also appeared there and I felt that
the book and art were quite different from what anyone else was doing. So
my point is: it's important to be true to youself and bring all of your
unique gifts to your work.
Art journaling in Spain.
Blog: www.violette.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/
Thank you for your grace and kindness, Violette. And thank you for your childlike enthusiasm! :)
xo
Maria
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