Friday 21 September 2012

Celebrating UK Artists 11: Lin Brown

Welcome to the 11th interview celebrating the talents of British artists in the field of scrapbooking, photography, mixed-media, art journaling, feltmaking and quilting.  Some names you may know and some may not be so familiar but they are all hugely talented.



*Brief Bio 
I am a wife, mother & Nanna to four beautiful grand children. After twenty years of running my own, very successful craft store, I am now very happy to say I am semi-retired. I have been beyond blessed throughout my creative career, travelling far and wide to teach. I was also fortunate enough to attend Ranger U at Ranger Industries HQ in New Jersey, which was an amazing experience. For the past five years I have been teaching and organising residential retreats under the name of Artsycrafts along with my dear friend Leandra Franich.  I love to teach and share my creative ideas with others and will continue with demonstrating and teaching which is why I am only semi-retired….I don’t think I could ever give up my passion completely.


*Who or what are your creative influences?  And why?
I am usually influenced to a certain degree by current trends. I tend to look closely at fashion and home décor. Paint charts and wallpaper samples are also very useful as well as the stationery industry. Just checking out what’s new in the wrapping paper and greetings card departments can be a good indication of the latest trends. Having said that, I usually opt for colours that suit what I am making.

I am always on the lookout for something new, I just love to get my teeth into a new product and will spend days experimenting with it to establish its full potential.
  
*What is your preferred medium of creativity?   What appeals to you about this?
At the moment I am in love with fabric and paint. I’ve always loved paint and now I am combining the two. Fabric is a very new area for me, so I’ve lots of exploring to do. I like the idea that I can use fabric in my journals and jewellery as well as home décor projects and items to wear…Very versatile.

*What other areas of creativity do you dabble in?
Stamping – this was my first love
Metal work
Jewellery Making
Lampwork Beads
Encaustic Art
I’ve dabbled in my crafty things

*What is one of your earliest creative memories?
Making little cotton summer dresses for my daughters when they were toddlers.

*Pablo Picasso said: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”   How did you find this transition worked in your life?
I only discovered the crafty world when my own children were growing up. With three children, I didn’t have much time on my hands and I guess my Mother-in-law influenced me a lot with her beautiful and intricate Bedfordshire lace. Creativity then became my life through my business but this set restrictions on my creativity as I found I was only using products that I sold in my store. Now, without the restraints of the shop, I am discovering a whole new world of creativity to explore, so remaining an artist is not going to be a problem for me personally, in fact I feel that this is just the beginning.

*How did you find your creative style?
This is something that I feel develops with time, you learn what colours you favour, what mediums you prefer to work with  and time along with lots of experimentation will help you develop your own unique style.

*What activity do you use to jumpstart your creativity?
Everyone has days when creativity simply dries up. I usually sit down with a few books or magazines, jotting down ideas along the way. I try to use this a a jump start, a starting place, it’s a way of reminding you of the knowledge that you already have, lurking at the back of your mind somewhere!!


*Describe your style in using 5 different words.  Share your thoughts about these words.
Eclectic – I like each piece of my work to be very different from the last.
Vintage – I do much prefer a vintage feel compared to very modern, fresh styles.
Random – I never know what I am going to make until it comes together.
Detailed – I love adding tons of tiny detail to my work. I want people to see something different in it every time they look at it.
Varied – I get bored doing the same thing, so I am always trying something new

*Favourite art gallery or museum?
Victoria & Albert, London
*Favourite book?
Way too many to choose from!



*Where to find Lin
Twitter: @yoursartfully


If you were able to ask Lin anything what would you ask?  Please add your question to the comments below.

See you next Friday for an interview with Michelle Jackson-Mogford.

11 comments:

  1. Glad to find this feature, now I will go back and read the other ten!

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  2. Loved the feature on my friend Lin -- and will also go back and read the other ten. Super idea, Bernice, to do a series like this. You asked what our special question to Lin would be -- so difficult -- mine would be: "If somneone gave us lots and lots of crafting time together, could you teach me just half of what you have in your magical fingertips?". She knows me very well, and will just laugh when she reads that!!!
    Greetings from France - Sally Cendral xoxoxo

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  3. wonderful feature, thank you for this

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  4. Many thanks for the fab interview with the wonderful Lin Brown.

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  5. Brilliant feature - off to look at previous posts now.

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  6. Lin is a fantastic inspiration. If I could ask her one question I would ask her please please will you carry on teaching and keep sharing your ideas.

    Rachel

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  7. brilliant idea to do a feature like this,look forwards to reading the others
    my question to Lin would be...can I raid your stash? lol

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  8. Fabulous feature with a really inspirational artist! I think I would ask Lin "what technique have you recently rediscovered that you can't believe you forgot"!

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  9. Enjoyed reading this - love Lin (and Leandra!). I would ask Lin if she would consider some online teaching videos.

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  10. Another fantastic article and I can relate to the restrictions Lin talks about.

    Thank you Bernice & Lin

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