Meet Violette Clark…
Please introduce yourself and your art a little bit.
My name is Violette –I’m a mixed media artist and author living in a purple magic cottage in British Columbia Canada. I’m the author of the art journaling book Journal Bliss: Creative Prompts to Unleash your Inner Eccentric. My passion is to inspire women and teens to embrace who they are through the vehicle of their creativity. I’m really jazzed when I see the lights coming on in people’s eyes in person and on the net (you can tell even via the internet when the lights are coming on!).
My work has appeared in several books including the bestselling book by Rice Freeman Zachary “Living the Creative Life”. My work has been featured in numerous publications such as Cloth Paper Scissors, Studios, Altered Couture, Haute Handbags and Scrapbooking and Beyond. My home has been featured on the show Weird Homes as well as numerous others TV programs.
For me art is…a saving grace. Art has literally SAVED MY LIFE repeatedly. I love art – it truly is my first love and I’m guessing will be my last love.
What are you currently working on?
I’m working on a couple of online classes with fabulous women such as yourself!!! YAY!!! WishBIG ecamp and Dirty Footprints 21 Secrets. (Learn more about 21 Secrets here registration is open through May 31, 2011.) I am also working on some licensing contracts. I’m creating something new geared towards Teens (not sure how it will unfold and manifest). I’ll be presenting a workshop at a Girl’s Conference and at an eWomen’s Network event called Women and Words. Coming up soon is a spot on Rock your Genius http://www.rockyourgenius.com/workshops/ as a presenter too! There are lots of things brewing at Casa Violette!
Can you tell us a little bit about your Art Journals?
My art journals morph and change with each year. When I started out I began with a hardbound black book – I think it was 6 x 6 inches……then It evolved to a bigger book – about 12 x 9……..then went to a teeny tiny book – about 3 x 4. And now my art journals are separate individual pages which I house in a box with a lid. I like this method best of all as it allows me to pull out my journal pages and show them to my students when I’m teaching a workshop. Plus it allows me the freedom to put as much ephemera on them as I like! I’m involved in the Sketchbook Challenge too! I think that keeping a journal is wonderful for many reasons – one of them is Journals are awesome for sketching out ideas, documenting your day, making lists, gratitude documentation and more!
Who has inspired you?
Sark for sure – she’s the first artist/author who gave me permission to be myself – about 18 years ago. So I love all of Sark’s books. Another author I admire is Julia Cameron – the Artist’s Way series of books has been a Godsend for me as well as numerous other blocked artists. I’m inspired by many spiritual teachers – Buddha, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Caroline Myss and more.
A few people have mentored me – 13 years ago while volunteering at a place for Street kids in Vancouver I met my first mentor Lawrence who created my first brochure, he believed in me and lifted me up when I could not believe in myself. My grown children – Jessica and Ryan have helped and inspired me for the past 11 years as they created my first website, blog, then did all the techie stuff I could not figure out for myself. My kids are amazing and are both involved in super creative endeavors themselves – my son is a game creator and my daughter is the director of Entertainment for the Film School in Vancouver. They inspire me as they have both gone after their dreams in a very focused manner. They have always believed in their vision. When my kids were little they were my first zen masters. My boyfriend Mr. G inspires me on a daily basis – he’s also a wonderful supporter of my dreams. My bohemian tribe (friends) have inspired me tremendously and have believed and encouraged me to go for my dreams.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
Well definitely “Follow your Bliss” by Joseph Campbell but also “I came to live my life out loud” by Emile Zola.
Are there any tips to living a creative life that you’d like to share?
I like to say “Fly your freak flag” and be loud and proud of who you are! Try and find what gives you juice, makes you passionate and spend time there. Your creative life will blossom when you do. Don’t think that art stops in the studio – bring art into every aspect of your life – the way you dress, the way you decorate your home, your vehicle and the manner in which you show up in the world. A suggestion – read Rice Freeman Zachary’s book Living the Creative life – you’ll find out tons on living a creative life while being true to yourself.
Where can people find you and your work?
Blog: http://www.violette.ca/
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/creativeboho
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=628807106
twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/violetteclark
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19815858@N00/sets/
I simply love this interview! Thank you again Violette, for agreeing to participate in this online interview series!
Thank you so much Jennifer for taking the time out to interview me……I really appreciate it. Xo -Violette
Click button to view past interviews.
“Inspiring Artists” is an ongoing artist interview series at JoyfulArtsStudio.com. Join me Mondays for a weekly dose of creative inspiration.
The series will continue as long as there are artists wishing to participate. If you are an artist and would like to share your story, please contact me at jhutchins@joyfulartssudio.com, I’d love to hear from you. Thank you!
Love & Blessings,
Jeniffer
April 11, 2011
Thank you so much Jenniffer for taking the time to interview me! I really appreciate it……..it’s such an honour to be featured in your section on “Inspiring artists”!
Love, Violette
April 11, 2011
Jeniffer I LOVE this series and Violette is WONDERFUL!!! She’s so inspiring. Her art just makes me want to sing…and I don’t sing LOL…the colors leap off the page…I loved learning about her path and I can’t wait to see where this takes her….great feature. YAY Jeniffer and Violette!
April 12, 2011
Hi Jennifer,
This is a great series of interviews.
Thank you so much for sharing.
I am off to fly my freak flag.
Alma
April 12, 2011
I love Violette’s description of her children following their dreams in a focused way – there’s something about the balance of creative vision and discipline that I would love to have a wee bit more of! Love these interviews!
Cheers
Barbara
April 15, 2011
Violette is beauty in the tre sense of the word……….in side and out…back and forth….from here to there…she is amazing…i would love to meet her someday…great intervie…wonderful art!
April 15, 2011
I knew you would Love her! I hope you two do meet some day, there will be creative sparks flying everywhere. (They’d be purple of course)