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May 08, 2018

Tea and Cake with Gracie featuring Roben-Marie Smith

By Gracie  |   in artist interviews  | Tags: Roben-Marie Smith , giveaway , Tea & Cake with Gracie  

Hello Friends! Welcome to a series we run on the blog called: Tea & Cake with Gracie :) Gracie interviews inspiring artists and posts the interviews (including some free offers not published elsewhere before) here on the blog every 2 months or so. I love to create art and bring amazing artists & people together in my classes, in person and on social media. I want to help bring more exposure to some of the amazing artists out there! Today Gracie’s interviewing Roben-Marie Smith. Make sure you check out Roben-Marie’s workshop giveaway, video tutorial and art paper freebie below. Roben-Marie’s giving away one spot on her new workshop: SALVAGED: A Layered Pieces Journal! Tam xoxo

Read previous Tea and Cake with Gracie Artist Interviews by clicking on artist’s name: Jeanne-Marie Webb | Kathy Glynn | Donna Mulholland | Wendy Brightbill | Whitney Freya | Violette Clark | Melissa Dinwiddie | Tascha Parkinson | Susana Tavares | Lynn Whipple | Karine Bossé | Jenny Grant | France Papillon | Jenny Wentworth | Kristin Dudish | Rachael Rice | Angela Kennedy (Pennystamper) | Andrea Gomoll |

The sun is beginning to shine here in the South of England and smiles are all around! Where ever you are, I am beaming you sunshine and glitter filled hugs! :) Today I’m so so happy and honoured to share with you my interview with Roben-Marie Smith. I’ve been following Roben-Marie for many years now and LOVE her work! I hope you enjoy the interview too! :) Roben-Marie’s giving away one spot in her new workshop: SALVAGED: A Layered Pieces Journal to one lucky reader! – PLUS she shares with us her process for creating a gorgeous journal page in the video below. Make sure to download Roben-Marie’s fab Freebie Paper Gift too! Thank you for being here :) Much love, light and blessings to you :) Gracie x

1. Welcome Roben-Marie! Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do.

I would like to share what is new and exciting to me as a mixed media artist/journal maker. After 15 years of teaching, creating classes (online and in person) and new products, I have recently discovered the profound effect of taking a creative break. I took 2 months off where I rested and created solely for myself. I listened to where my heart wanted to go and gave myself permission to ignore rules and deadlines. I created solely for personal joy and I am still processing the results of this new journey. It has been hugely beneficial to me and the direction of my art.


Roben-Marie’s Giveaway!

Roben-Marie’s giving away one spot in her new workshop:
SALVAGED: A Layered Pieces Journal to one lucky reader! :)

Here’s a little bit about this awesome workshop, from Roben-Marie:

” We will journey from start to finish – creating your own art journal. Transform your relationship with paper as I guide you through an in-depth, hands-on study of the architecture of an art journal.”


*GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED *
*GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED*
Thank you to everyone for joining in the giveaway, we loved reading your lovely comments! The randomly drawn winner is:
Chris Kaminski
who said:

We do too Chris! :) Congratulations on winning a spot on Roben-Marie’s new workshop!
Click here to find out more about the SALVAGED workshop!


Roben-Marie’s Freebie Offers!

Check out the inspirational video Roben-Marie created for us:

Click the ‘play button’ to watch this video or click on the review link here: Review Link to see Roben-Marie create this gorgeous journal page:

Roben-Marie is also offering all readers this downloadable Freebie Paper Gift (below) :) (Pls note this is to use and share for personal use only. Thanks for understanding!). Download and print out the high resolution version by right-clicking on the image below and choosing ‘save target as’ / ‘download linked file as’ or by downloading from the link here: Roben-Marie’s downloadable Freebie Paper Gift

Access Roben-Marie’s FREE Resource Library HERE


Learn more about Roben-Marie in the following interview:

2. You say: ‘I have been a working artist for the last ten years, and am self-taught, so I believe that anyone can cultivate their creative spark.’ Can you talk to us about ’self-taught’ and how that looks in your day to day, what things do you do to stay self motivated and focused on your journey, what have you learnt along the way to keep you on track?

It sounds cliche but truly inspiration is everywhere. My favorites are magazines, catalogs and a spirit of curiosity. I stay focused and motivated by my love of experimentation. I am always open to adding new mediums, products and techniques to my work and love to find a unique spin on the tried and true. I love discovering a new skill set that I did not know I possessed. Trusting that what I am is “enough” and pushing through the doubt and dry spells that plaque every artist is what keeps me going season after season. I am increasingly aware that refilling with rest and quiet is one of the most motivating gifts you can give yourself.

3. I love that many pieces of your work include sewing and fabric! Please can you talk to us a bit about that and when/how sewing and fabric started to be added into your work?

My mother made matching outfits for my sister and I as children. That was my introduction to creating with fabric, resulting in an early love of color and texture. As a child, I made stuffed animals and learned to manipulate fabric. When I discovered mixed media as an art form, I was able to combine my love of paint and fabric and I have never looked back.

4. Can you chat to us a bit about how you got into teaching?

I began teaching in 2003 in a local stamp store. I realized that teaching was a great way to share my love of mixed media and journal making while utilizing the organizational skills I possess. 2005 saw my debut as a national instructor both at large convention style events and locally owned art stores. When the technology of online classes became available, I was ready to take a break from all the travel associated with in-person teaching. My tech geek side was born in a flash.

5. What’s on your art table right now?

My newest handmade journal was designed during my recent rest period. Creating for pure joy in this journal opened up a love of salvaged scraps of paper and fabric. I am working in my journal every chance I get. There is something very cathartic about using bits of paper that would normal end up in the trash to create new life.

I am also in the preparation/design stage of my second year participating in the 100 Day Project. I loved it last year as a newbie and this year I am looking forward to it even more now that I know what to expect.

Thank you Roben-Marie for sharing and being here with us! You can find out more about Roben-Marie on her website: robenmarie.com or through the links:

Website: robenmarie.com
Instagram: instagram.com/ robenmarie
Shop: shoprobenmarie.com
Pinterest:
pinterest.com/robenmarie/boards

Access Roben-Marie’s FREE Resource Library HERE

Exciting and Magical News!! We are back with another round of EVER AFTER! :) Huzzah! :)

Would you like to win a space on this enchanting course? Then be sure to follow the blog hop! Come check out what Ever After is all about and meet the magical Ever After Teacher Team too!! We are super excited to be running another round of this magical Style Development Art course! Hope you’ll join it too! <3

Click here to follow the blog hop! :)

Click HERE for Ever After 2018 Awesomeness! ;)

You may also like:

  • Rainbow Unicorn Give Away #4 – Yay!

  • September Spotlight with Cat Caracelo

  • Rainbow Unicorn Give Away #3 – Yay!

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Mixed media artist, teacher and author. I don’t see all IG msgs. For enq pls email hello@willowing.org - Join A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales:

This little princess came for a visit this evening. 😊 I love her so much! Spot the tiny kitty cat, too! 😍🥰🤩

Open
This little princess came for a visit this evening. 😊 I love her so much! Spot the tiny kitty cat, too! 😍🥰🤩

Bookworm Girl - In late 2014, I created a painting that became one of my favourites of all time. Not only for its cute quirky bookish girl and delicious textures in the background but because I felt it captured the pure magic of getting utterly lost in a good book really well.

As a kid, I was a ‘bookworm girl’, I read and read and read to the point my parents felt I was ‘too secluded’ and ‘should go out more’! But! I had books and friends in books and stories and excitement and adventures and wisdom and joy and humour and laughter and intrigue and mystery. Books provided so much solace for me, especially as someone who felt like an outsider who didn’t belong anywhere.

I belonged in the books with the weirdos, the heroes, the vampires & witches (hello Anne Rice!), the artists, the outcasts, the lonely ones hiding in secret gardens, the wise and wild old crones that lived in the forests with deer and cats, the seekers, the fighters, and the fierce souls who wore their hearts on their sleeves and never gave up.

I continued reading pretty much throughout my life though when smartphones entered the scene; I too became entranced by apps, games and social media and reading books got interrupted by the wave of technology. Until about 2 years ago I decided that I was no longer allowed my phone in my bedroom at night (my god the endless doom scrolling on TikTok did me no good) and so I ended up back on kindle and now I read again and I’m so so happy about it. I love disappearing into fantasy and letting the stories carry me away from the stresses of every day life for a while!

If you’re also a book lover (or recovering bookworm -haha), what stories swept you away? Which books still live inside you? Tell me your favourites, I’m always hunting for the next world to disappear into. 💫

This is day 19 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

PS: I painted this before certain things came to light about J.K. Rowling and Neil Gaiman, which is why their books feature here.

Open
Bookworm Girl - In late 2014, I created a painting that became one of my favourites of all time. Not only for its cute quirky bookish girl and delicious textures in the background but because I felt it captured the pure magic of getting utterly lost in a good book really well. 

As a kid, I was a ‘bookworm girl’, I read and read and read to the point my parents felt I was ‘too secluded’ and ‘should go out more’! But! I had books and friends in books and stories and excitement and adventures and wisdom and joy and humour and laughter and intrigue and mystery. Books provided so much solace for me, especially as someone who felt like an outsider who didn’t belong anywhere. 

I belonged in the books with the weirdos, the heroes, the vampires & witches (hello Anne Rice!), the artists, the outcasts, the lonely ones hiding in secret gardens, the wise and wild old crones that lived in the forests with deer and cats, the seekers, the fighters, and the fierce souls who wore their hearts on their sleeves and never gave up.

I continued reading pretty much throughout my life though when smartphones entered the scene; I too became entranced by apps, games and social media and reading books got interrupted by the wave of technology. Until about 2 years ago I decided that I was no longer allowed my phone in my bedroom at night (my god the endless doom scrolling on TikTok did me no good) and so I ended up back on kindle and now I read again and I’m so so happy about it. I love disappearing into fantasy and letting the stories carry me away from the stresses of every day life for a while! 

If you’re also a book lover (or recovering bookworm -haha), what stories swept you away? Which books still live inside you? Tell me your favourites, I’m always hunting for the next world to disappear into. 💫

This is day 19 of a ‘gentle return to social media’ read more about this practice here: http://bit.ly/3IHFxir 🌱

PS: I painted this before certain things came to light about J.K. Rowling and Neil Gaiman, which is why their books feature here.

I sold the previous version of this painting already but filmed a lesson for creating cuties for it so I have another version of this cute doggo visited by a butterfly. It’s for sale too. Original painting by me! 😊 Email me on hello@willowing.org if interested xxx ♥️♥️♥️ 🐶

Open
I sold the previous version of this painting already but filmed a lesson for creating cuties for it so I have another version of this cute doggo visited by a butterfly. It’s for sale too. Original painting by me! 😊 Email me on hello@willowing.org if interested xxx ♥️♥️♥️ 🐶

Great glittering goblins! The first 1000 places have already sold out! Thank you for all your love, enthusiasm and excitement in response to this magical new course!! I’m befuddled with joy and thrilled to have such an amazing response!
Now, if you had hoped to join for the lowest price ever, then don’t worry; we have opened up another 500 spaces at the super low price of £109 GBP. So please get in there quickly if you want to grab A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales at this hugely discounted price, as spaces are selling fast!

Do not dilly dally, my dear, adventure favours the nimble-footed!
A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales
is waiting for you!
🧚✨🦄
JOIN ‘A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales ’ NOW!:
https://bit.ly/AYOM-Tam

Open
Great glittering goblins! The first 1000 places have already sold out!  Thank you for all your love, enthusiasm and excitement in response to this magical new course!! I’m befuddled with joy and thrilled to have such an amazing response! 
Now, if you had hoped to join for the lowest price ever, then don’t worry; we have opened up another 500 spaces at the super low price of £109 GBP. So please get in there quickly if you want to grab A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales at this hugely discounted price, as spaces are selling fast!

Do not dilly dally, my dear, adventure favours the nimble-footed!
A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales
is waiting for you!
🧚✨🦄 
JOIN ‘A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales ’ NOW!: 
https://bit.ly/AYOM-Tam

✨ The Magic Begins! ✨

Friends, I am SO THRILLED! We’re finally opening the enchanted gates to a new amazing creative experience! ✨🙌✨

A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales is here! For a limited time, the first 1000 magical souls can join for just £109 (normally £179). Crazy good deal!! ♥️♥️♥️ Hurry though, these spaces usually go fast!!

Explore over 65+ mixed media art lessons, dive into fairy tales, myth, folklore and every day magic! Paint dragons, castles, and everyday enchantment; all with the support of 30+ beloved artists and a kind-hearted community.

Secure your spot and let’s create a year of magic & wonder together!

See you there!!

(Link in comments)

#AYearOfMagic #MixedMediaArt #ArtClass #EarlyBird

Open
✨ The Magic Begins! ✨ 

Friends, I am SO THRILLED! We’re finally opening the enchanted gates to a new amazing creative experience! ✨🙌✨ 

A Year of Magic & Fairy Tales is here! For a limited time, the first 1000 magical souls can join for just £109 (normally £179). Crazy good deal!! ♥️♥️♥️ Hurry though, these spaces usually go fast!! 

Explore over 65+ mixed media art lessons, dive into fairy tales, myth, folklore and every day magic! Paint dragons, castles, and everyday enchantment; all with the support of 30+ beloved artists and a kind-hearted community.

Secure your spot and let’s create a year of magic & wonder together!

See you there!! 

(Link in comments) 

#AYearOfMagic #MixedMediaArt #ArtClass #EarlyBird
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