The creative process:Q&A with Nancy Tillman

1.    Animals figure prominently in your books. What is your favorite animal?

   My favorite animal is my pug, Figgy.  That’s the truth!  Fig is my mascot… he sits beside me every day as I write and illustrate.  Other than that, every animal has special characteristics that draw me to it. Everyone is unique and wonderful in its own way…and each one suits a child differently.  Giraffes are so tall they are perfect to help children pick apples.  One can easily cross a stream upon a hippo.  Who better to have a water fight with than an elephant?

2.    If you could be any animal, what would you be? Why?

  I suppose I’d be a big, beautiful bird.  It would be so wonderful to fly.  I’d drop in on all the other animals. Maybe I’d be a flamingo.  I’ve always been enchanted by them.

3.    Why do you think children relate or are drawn to animals?

Children are drawn to things that stimulate them or nurture them. Animals are full of joyful surprises and funny noises… and many are great cuddlers, too.

4.    The child in I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love pretends to be many different animals.  Why do you think children enjoy pretending to be different people, animals, or things?

 It comes naturally to them, probably because pretending is so developmentally helpful. By trying on different personalities, children learn social differences and empathy for others, among many other things.  Plus, it’s FUN!

5.    When your own children were growing up, how did you encourage them to use their imaginations?

Here’s one way that I’ll share with the parents out there.  I often told my children they could scream if they did it silently.  I still have memories of my son’s silent screams.  He could let a lot of energy out without a sound!  Try itJ

My daughter, Tess, had an alter ego by the name of Jessica Reindeer.  Jessica had a dog named Candybreath.  I loved to listen to their adventures.  Once Jessica told the neighbors that her dad had died from eating junk food.  I had to explain that it was Jessica’s dad, not Tess’s dad.

6.    What was the inspiration behind the story of I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love?

 I wanted to give children the joy of becoming another creature with the comfort of knowing their parent would always recognize them.  And I always love to create interactive pages that allow children to “be” the animal either in action or in sound.

7.    Is the cover image of I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love inspired by the photograph of you with a giraffe that is featured on the back of the book?  

Yes it is!  My publisher, Jean Feiwel, loves that picture and asked me specifically to create an illustration inspired by it.  Children I’ve met on tour always tell me they love that picture, too.  That picture was taken in Kenya.  The giraffe, Lynn, licked me all over my face.  I was holding food in my mouth!

8.    Your books are heartwarming and very comforting but always close with the phrase “You are loved.” Why?  

Quite simply, it’s a message no one gets enough of.  It’s the bottom line take-away of all my books, so I always want to end with it.

9.    Millions of families across the nation have grown to love your books dearly.  What is it about your stories that you think creates such a special connection with your readers – children and parents alike?

I try to give parents words to say what they already feel for their children.  Most parents really deeply feel those words, and their children can tell.  In their early years, children are little sponges. I love knowing parents are getting those messages of love into their children before many of the world’s other messages make their way in, or before barriers go up.

10. Can you describe your creative process? How do you choose a subject? Do you have a favorite place where you go for inspiration or to work out any blocks? Do you write or illustrate first? Are you inspired by friends, family, scenery, other?

 I am inspired by the natural beauty of the world around me, and the beautiful faces of young children looking up at me.  When I succeed in reaching those children, I want to do it again and again.  Yes, there are special places that are especially inspirational to me… many countries in Africa have provided me with beautiful memories to work from.  But I could just as easily be transported by a crow that talks to me on a morning walk, or fog over a wheat field.  As much as I can I try to paint wide open spaces that children can imagine themselves in. 

Generally, I write first, although there are illustrations that I can already see in my mind.  Sometimes I envision an illustration that might influence text. 

Nancy Tillman's newest book is I’d Know You Anywhere, My Love

Visit Ms. Tillman's magical website here.

Interview: Anne Harwell

It is my great pleasure to host today artist and designer Anne Harwell

of the very successful and aesthetically inspiring blog

Annechovie.

Anne is an artist with an elegant and sunny attitude that I appreciate most in her beautiful work. She is also one of my favorite people in blogoland, ever. I consider myself  fortunate to be able to call her my friend. What's more, Anne is offering Happy Turtle readers a 15% discount with the code: HAPPYTURTLE15 , which I urge you to use!
Here is our interview with a sample of her work.

 

1.Anne, how did you get started on Art?

I have always been artsy and crafty since preschool, but I never grew up with any sense or goal of being an "artist" per se. I honestly kind of just fell into it in my 20's after finding I liked working in watercolors on boring Winter evenings

2.How did you find your personal artistic language?

I think that it just developed over time through practice and outside influences of other art and images that I was exposed to.

3.Tell us some more about your creative process. What gets your creativity flowing?

So many things!  I am extremely visual and am always absorbing, so I take in massive amounts of images via magazines, the net, books, travel, etc. Somehow, little fragments come out in different combinations. I am self-taught, so I don't base much at all on any academic knowledge of art and so I just "do". Coffee helps boost my creativity, too!

4.Your art is feminine, full of joie de vivre. Do you have a specific space in mind when you are creating a painting?

Not really, I just think that I paint what I like and tend to use varied versions of a similar color range/palette. I do think that white walls and plenty of light are always a great place and welcoming atmosphere for any piece of art, though.

5.Your work has been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Domino and House Beautiful, even a movie, as well as many happy customers' blogs around the web. How do you feel when you see your work in the spotlight?

It's always encouraging and gratifying, for certain. I have also learned not to go up and down with the praise or the silence, though. You learn that over time when there are instances of getting cut from magazines or no one noticing. You need those setbacks, too, to keep yourself balanced. These things keep you humble and prevent you from starting to think that you are somebody great. LOL.

6. You have also introduced a line of needlepoint kits. I think it fits so well the feminine nature of your paintings. How did that come about?

It was a total suprise! The owner of Art Needlepoint contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in partnering with their company. It's been a great collaboration that I've enjoyed.

7.What do you love most about being a creative person?

Definitely the independence, autonomy and freedom to create. It's a lot of responsibility, but the freedom and lack of frustration with being held back by others is well worth it!

8.Any dreams that want to come forward that you'd like to share with my readers?

I'd love to have an expanded line of fabrics, homeware, wallcoverings, etc. That would be a lot of fun. My dreams are more based in who I want to become than what I want to "achieve", though.
I believe we are created by God for a unique role and purpose and the best path is when we follow His plan, rather than coming up with our own. My main dream is to follow that plan.

 Anne is offering Happy Turtle readers a 15% discount with the code:

HAPPYTURTLE15

 

Thank you, Anne, for letting us take a peak into your creative universe.

My dear readers,

Do use the 15% discount that Anne is offering. You will love her work gracing your universe!

Interview-Oh So Fine, Denmark

Oh So Fine is a graphic design studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Designer and founder is Mette Bonavent.

I was first drawn to Oh So Fine's Mother Earth female figures
and her folk art inspired birds.

Or, this is how I conceived them.
Is this what she had in mind creating them?

I believe that one of the most beautiful aspects of Art is that it is open to interpretation.
A work of art can trigger different emotions and make emerge different kinds of past images in different people's minds.
Isn't that wonderful ?

With these thoughts in mind, I set about asking my questions.
Here are her oh so fine answers.

~~~

1.How did you get started on Art?

I am actually a talented painter and earlier I loved to draw by hand. But a couple of years ago I fell in love with making graphic art using my computer. And now I hardly ever use a pencil anymore.

2.Apart from inspiration Art needs courage, I believe.
Do you think so, and where do you find yours?

I don't think creating art needs courage, but showing your art to other people can be quite intimidating, I guess.

3. How did you come about finding your artistic language?

I found my artistic language sitting in front of my computer. The moment I learned how to create vectorized graphics, I could express exactly what I wanted.

4.Your work looks to me very earthy and influenced by folk art.

How would you describe your sources of inspiration?

Basically I work with block shapes, silhouettes and graphic patterns. I am very much inspired by my childhood memories, folklore artifacts and the 50's and 60's style illustration and design. Also I tend to drag a lot of nature into my work; birds, trees, flowers and so on. It is very natural for me, to give my work a simple and scandinavian touch, no matter if I am doing papercuts, prints og wooden products.

5.What do you love most about being a creative person who exposes their vision to the public?

I am so fortunate to work with the thing I love most. And I do love everything about it! I love the whole creative process, from finding inspiration, to working with shapes, colors and materials, and to showcase the final design.

6.Any dreams that want to come forward?

I have many dreams! I would love to create a range of printed fabrics and illustrate book covers.
My next dream to chase is actually not far away - but still a secret.


Thank you, Mette. We look forward to be in the know of your future artistic ventures.

~~~

*You may purchase Oh so fine prints and wooden objets,

made of recycled paper, vegetable inks and solid fumed oak, here.*

Interview: Susan Pointon

Hello dear frineds,

It is amazing what a wonderful journey blogging has become for me. 

In June, God willing, we shall be celebrating this blog's 5th blogoversary

WOW!

 So many beautiful, different, exciting people from all over the globe have come my way and we crossed our paths at some moment or another.

Isn't that amazing?

oh here you are, thank you!

One of my blog besties is Susan. 

Susan lives in Australia

(F's favorite continent, although she's never been to Australia!)

and she is a very talented photographer, capable of bringing out the best in everyone,

and a very beautiful person with a great sense of humor that I appreciate on her blog and on Facebook!

So,

without further delay, 

Susan!

Welcome!

1.How did you get started on photography?

I never was really interested in photography until I had my own children. 

My middle child, Clara, who is now 8, started modelling when she was 4 years old. I think that was the trigger that got me all started on this wonderful journey. 

I loved taking photographs of my own kids and slowly updated my cameras over time until I finally invested in my first DSLR only 3 years ago. We were off on a family holiday to Canberra and I wanted some great quality photos of our family instead of the usual plain and boring photos produced by a point and shoot camera. It was a Nikon and a wonderful camera. 

That was it! 

The kids were constantly photographed and one day I decided to have a play around with Photoshop to see how I could manipulate the photos to improve their colour, lighting etc. After a lot of self teaching using the internet and also trial and error I decided to finally do a Photoshop workshop. Well that hooked me even more. There was an endless world of creativity out there. I had never really been a creative person before. Well on the inside I had but never shown anything publicly.

Facebook was the main basis of starting my photography journey. 

Friends had seen my work and were then asking me to photograph their children. 

Finally I decided to come out of my “cocoon” and offer my services to anyone who wanted their family or children photographed. I have been overwhelmed with the response and support I have had from not only family and friends, but strangers as well. It also brings me great joy to see my work proudly hanging in people’s homes. I like to consider that each photo is a little piece of me – seeing their children through my eyes.

2.Beauty is the eye of the beholder. What do you see when you point and click?

 Mmmmm .. what do I see when I point and click? I see a finished photo. I can see the photo, the editing, the finished product. I also hope to see a smile on my client’s face when they see them. Each shoot is different. Even if I am shooting in the same location, the lighting is different, the children or subjects are different and I try to edit my photos to suit each situation. I just absolutely adore country style photography. My husband and our family live on a farm in South Australia and it is primarily an agricultural area. We are blessed to have the beach on either side us too. I try to keep my photography style based on a country/farming style as that seems not only appeal to myself, but the majority of my clients. Negative space is another thing I love in my photos (having the subject in only part of the whole photo).

3.Most of your subjects are photographed in the open. What appeals to you in the outdoors?

The thing that appeals to me in the outdoors is natural light and the location of the photo shoot. There are a lot of family farms in my region which have been handed down from generation to generation (I think my husband’s family farm has been around for approximately 130 years). 

I like to photograph children and their families in their own environment not only for the child’s comfort, but for historical purposes. It is fantastic to look back at families at the same location many years ago, showing the different style of clothing, buildings and machinery. Also just how they lived their lives. Each year I try to take photos in our shearing shed and also our working machinery.

 Over time I hope to see the changes which have evolved. 

 I must also add that I love photographing in winter. I am not much of a summer person and I am certainly not a fan of snakes (which we commonly have in our neck of the woods!). Winter I think brings more a warmer style of photo with lovely green lush backgrounds and the lighting is a lot softer and more even. I feel that some of my best work has been rolling around in dirt and paddocks in the rain! 

Dogs are another love of mine. 

I count our pet dogs as family. We have Banjo (a West Highland Terrier x Australian Terrier) who is 4 years old and should be a professional dog model and a newcomer to our family, Coco, a 10 week old Great Dane puppy. I have had people ask me to photograph their pets and I treat them just as I would a child. I jump at the chance to do these shoots. You may see some photos now and then of dogs on my blog. Banjo is quite the character. As soon as he sees his mum with her camera, he is in on the action – the complete opposite to my kids! He will let me photograph him in any pose or any situation.

4.Do you dream of a photograph or a project that you'd like to share with us?

 A dream project of mine would really have to be just to get a “perfect” photo of my own three children who are Gus (aged 10), Clara (aged 8) and Maggie (nearly 7). By perfect I don’t mean all looking at the camera with a smile while they are saying “cheese”. I mean one which is happy, candid and full of love. 

Each year I do a photo shoot with them on or around their birthdays and make a special little booklet
with the photos. I plan to photograph them all together this year once winter sets in and the crops are all green. I have not decided on an exact location but it will be somewhere on our property. I have also just invested in a lighting setup this year and would like to photograph a few newborns. 

Outdoor photography using natural light is still my first love though.

5.You are a photographer and you are a mom. 

Could you please share some hands on advice for us to take cute pictures of our children?

A few tips for any mums out there wanting to take some great photos of their kids would be to try and capture your children candidly. Get down to their level and photograph them while they are playing or doing a special activity that they love. Photograph them while they are not looking, walking away. Photograph their chubby little hands or feet. I feel candid photos have more meaning and more emotion that posed photos. Google some silly jokes and get them to laugh a real laugh .. not just saying “Cheese!”. 

Don’t be afraid to act the clown to bring out a big natural smile. I have done some really silly things in my time, believe me! Capture their happy and sad moments. I have quite a few photos of my kids crying if they are hurt or just sad. I love to look at these times just as much as the good ones. It’s all part of life. Take them to new places and capture them exploring. Invest in a camera with continuous shooting. You may end up taking hundreds of photos but you will be sure to capture many more special moments and lots of different expressions. Last of all, keep your kids safe.

Visit Susan at Lemon Tree Photography to see her beautiful work and her blog right here.

If you are lucky enough to live near her, in Australia, I'd love to see your pictures taken by Susan!

*All images Susan Pointon*

~All highlights, mine~

Thank you, Susan for the beautiful interview and your lovely photography!

And Thank You all for reading :)