When I think of artists that inspire me @jemimah is at the very top of the list. I want to know all her secrets!! Luckily, she’s very generous in sharing her tips, tricks, and sources of inspiration. Did you know she even taught a watercolor class here on LC? I asked this wonderfully talented lady a few questions about her work in an attempt to get some of her brilliance to rub off on me…
When did art first enter your life? What are some of your earliest memories of creating?
My Mum was a very creative person, and I have happy childhood memories of creating things with her. She taught me how to sew and embroider at a young age. She mainly expressed her artistic talents through sewing, cooking, and decorating. Her father was a watercolour painter and high school art teacher - he was a super fun Grandad, but died when I was a little kid. I wish I could have done some painting lessons with him! I inherited his beat-up old paintbrushes 
I even painted them!
I still have some of the pottery and drawings my Mum did while she was at teacher’s college in the 1960s. I like to think if she’d had more time (she died at 45), she would have given herself permission to really embrace her artistic talents. Those things remind me not to wait to do the things you love. (And of course, to use the good stuff!)
Even though I loved doing art at school, and my family valued art and handmade things, they always said it was just a hobby, so I didn’t study art formally as a young person. I started doing my own study and occasional short courses and workshops in my 20s.
What would you say is your greatest source of inspiration?
I get inspiration and ideas from many different sources - people, books, looking at art, courses and workshops, travelling, and all the art resources available online. But I think the most useful input for me is just being interested in lots of things - I try to stay curious and keep learning.
And alongside that, sharing creativity with others is where all those ideas and material come to life. I’ve belonged to a few great local art groups over the years, and of course, my Lettuce Craft community (that’s you guys!) have been a huge part of encouraging and supporting my creative pursuits.
Your art is so recognizably you whether you’re drawing, painting, or sewing. How do you maintain your sense of personal artistic style across media?
It’s not something that I consciously worked on. It’s a bit like handwriting, it kind of emerged over the years as I kept following things I was interested in. I do like to try out new styles and new ideas too, so I hope my style will keep evolving and changing.
If someone asked me how to develop their own style, I’d just say keep making stuff you love making, and make as much as you can. Repetition and practice is a really powerful way to improve your skills and style (boring advice, but true!)
Speaking of style, I love your sense of composition, even when you are just “playing around” in the art journal thread. How did you develop such a keen eye for space in your art, or does it just come naturally?
I’ve spent some time over the years doing various art courses and reading art books (there’s fantastic stuff for free in the library and online). For me, it’s been really worthwhile to put a bit of study in.
There are a lot of techniques you can use that aren’t too complicated. Here are a few go-to tips I often use:
- Use the rule of thirds to divide up your picture. (e.g. Don’t put your horizon or focus of interest in the middle of the picture, put it at around the one-third mark.)
- Use a little bit of a complementary colour to brighten up your focal point. (e.g. If you’re making something that’s all greens and teals, a little splash of pink might be just the ticket.)
- Try to use a variety of tones in your drawing, from very dark to very light, and put the highest contrast in the most important bits. (You can squint a little to see better where the tones are.)
Oh, and all the ‘rules’ can be broken if you want, but the more you know them, the more you can play with them to get the effect you want.
You are so versatile in the materials you use. What are some of your favorite materials and techniques?
I do love trying out all sorts of different art supplies and experimenting with different techniques. I suspect a lot of us do this - I tend to have phases where I’ll get into one type of art medium or craft and focus on that for a while, and then move on to something else. I do tend to circle back to my favourites eventually though.
My ‘desert island’ art supplies would be traditional drawing materials - sturdy paper, soft dark graphite (4B or more), charcoal, traditional conté crayons (sanguine, sepia, black, white). I am a big fan of learning and practicing old-school drawing. I also think life drawing is one of the best (and hardest) ways to learn. I really enjoy experimental and expressive drawing too. I feel like continuously working on my traditional drawing skills has helped me with every other kind of art that I want to try.
I adore watercolour, especially the way it has a mind of its own. I really enjoy working wet in wet, and being open to an unpredictable result - some of the best bits are the accidents! The sheer pleasure of laying down paint on paper is something I always return to.
I enjoy printmaking, and I’ve spent quite a lot of time learning how to do lino and etching. Even when you’ve worked on a plate for a while, you can’t exactly tell how it’s going to turn out. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of pulling that first print off the press - sometimes it’s not what you wanted, but when it’s good, it’s magic!
And if I’m feeling stressed, or uninspired, or just want to have some fun, I really enjoy playing with some mixed media - collage, gesso, markers, paint, stencils, stamps, whatever comes to hand! One of my favourite “techniques” is to remind myself it’s just a bit of paper, so try whatever you feel like trying. With mixed media, you can keep costs pretty low - it’s amazing what you can do with an old cereal box or magazine, scissors, glue, a cheap marker and craft paint. And there’s loads of fun ideas on Youtube.
What is the most challenging project you have worked on, art or otherwise?
For me it’s always the next project!
You have participated in several art shows and even sold some pieces. How did you develop the confidence to put your work out there like that?
Joining local art groups has been a big part of that. I’ve only shown work as part of group shows so far. It is scary at first, but most people who are interested in art, and who do art, are understanding and supportive of new artists. I’d encourage anyone interested to give it a try. What’s the worst that could happen? And, it is a real buzz when someone who you don’t know wants to pay money for something you made and look at it in their home!
Also, it’s good to remember that not everyone will like your art, and that really is OK. It’s important not to take it personally (I know, that’s so much easier said than done). Many years ago my local art group put on an exhibition that was being judged . Most of the pieces were lovely local landscapes and beautiful scenes, but I entered a stark linocut that had a fairly dark theme. Totally unexpectedly, it won the judge’s choice prize, and he even bought it.
Over the next few days, the art group members took turns looking after the sales desk while the exhibition was open. On the day I was on duty, a couple of people looked at my linocut and the little certificate next to it, and said very loudly “Ugh! That’s HORRIBLE!” “I can’t believe someone chose THAT!”
It stung a bit, but it really made me realise that there is no piece of art that everyone will like, so you might as well make what you love making.
You are also a wonderful teacher, eager and willing to share your knowledge with fellow artists. What advice would you have for someone just starting to explore their own creativity?
Give yourself permission to try some stuff just because it looks like fun. Don’t worry about the end product, enjoy the doing. Remember that it’s OK to be a beginner.
The ‘bad’ drawing or painting isn’t a bad thing, it’s an essential step on the way to making art that you’ll really love. It’s natural to get frustrated when your art doesn’t measure up to what you imagine, but frustration is what happens when you’re pushing yourself and really learning something. It’s taken a long time, but I’ve learned to embrace the frustration and keep going.
I’ve recently been talking with a family member who has just started painting in her seventies. She is an excellent trained singer, a confident public speaker, etc, etc. She told me she had a real lightbulb moment when a friend said to her “You’re good at everything!” She realised - “Not really, it’s that I only do the things I’m already good at.” She’s wanted to do art for many years, but only recently let herself be a beginner again - and she’s loving it!
What is your favorite project that you have posted in the Art Category?
Can I choose two?
Charcoal drawing of an Australian magpie - Magpie drawing
Watercolour illustration - Colourful city watercolour
What is your favorite project that someone else has posted in the Art Category?
That’s an IMPOSSIBLE question! I get so much joy and inspiration from all the creative projects and encouragement, from the whole community.
If I have to choose a few that really speak to me (in random order) …
@photojenn 's Stone steps at the botanic garden captures such beautiful light.
@gozer 's Astrid the fur baby has a wonderful soulful feeling.
@Tapestry 's Afternoon Nap is so thoughtful and sweet.
And, @Edel 's Illuminated manuscript. Aka the most insane project is amazing and bonkers in the best way!
I went through the Art Completed Projects and ended up with DOZENS of open tabs trying to narrow it down. I love seeing everyone’s work! Please keep sharing yours 
Thank you so much @jemimah for, well, just being you! You are a tremendous source of inspiration, encouragement, and support to all of us here on Lettuce Craft and I can’t wait to see what you get up to next.
. The impostor syndrome is real, and I’m hugely grateful for 
I feel so honoured!