Guest Artist; Kerri Posson

In a previous post, I announced I will be offering a Guest Artist spot on my Blog every month beginning with December. I am proud, to announce, that this is my first Guest Artist interview.

Kerri Posson is a very dear friend of mine and I first met Kerri approx. 13 years ago at a local rubber stamp store. Kerri was teaching, there, and I was one of her students. It was an instant connection, while her very chic appearance added to the wonderful atmosphere of the classroom, it was her sense of humor and total spontaneity with her techniques and artistic talent that called to me. I eventually started teaching at the stamp store, myself, and Kerri and I began our journey of sharing our passion for art with one another.

We eventually evolved, not only with our art, but our lives, and still kept in touch through it all and over the past year have really started working together with ideas that we've had bottled up inside us for so long. We are going to offer local workshops, in our area, and have our first kick-off on Saturday, December 19th. There is info. on this workshop on my side bar. Kerri and I were overwhelmed with the responses and our very first class is full! :) We are both very excited about this and have already begun planning what our next workshop will be :)

Anyway; I'd like to get to my interview with Kerri. The photos, here, are of two of Kerri's works and, as you can see from these samples, her approach to art is very textural and meaningful. The top photo is of Kerri with her niece, Avery, sharing quality time together. For those of you not aware, Avery is home, now, after being in Childrens' Hospital awaiting a heart transplant. We've all been praying and keeping positive thoughts, and not too long ago, Avery received a very special gift of a new heart and is now home with her loved ones. You can read more about Avery's journey on Kerri's blog which I have linked above. I have asked Kerri 6 art-related questions and I think you will enjoy her responses:

M: When did your artistic journey begin Kerri:

K: My mom has an ultrasound of me doodling the inside of her uterus :) I have a memory of seeing an artist on television at a very young age, who created an entire scene that began with just a circle and I thought I was witnessing magic. My favorite "toys" were art supplies; paper, paints, brushes, crayons - anythingthat I could use to draw and paint. And, they are still among my favorites. My paternal grandmother enjoyed oil painting, and she encouraged me tin all ways artistic. With her help, I painted my first oil when I was five, and when I would visit, she would always be ready with easel, paints, pastels and plenty of encouragement.

M: Please select 3 words to describe your artistic style:

K: I think my style is constantly evolving but, right now, I would choose: color, texture, dimension.

M: What do you like best about teaching?

K: I love having the opportunity to encourage others to express themselves through art, and I love the chemistry that takes place in a workshop between me and my students, as we exchange ideas and enthusiasm. I always feel that I get back so much more than I give.

M: When, and if, you hit a creative slump, what are some of the "tools" or exercises you use to get your art "mojo" back?

K: The first thing I do is give myself permission for that down time. During this time, I enjoy other creative outlets: taking pictures, particularly observing nature, reading, or gardening, cooking; often just taking a break is enough to make me want to return again. I also enjoy art journaling. Unlike other art forms, my art journals are more personal. They're a place for messing up and experimenting and while they might not end up looking great, that is not the goal and, therefore, it's more freeing.

M: You have a lovely Blog. Do you enjoy Blogging? If so, what are some of the benefits you've found from the activity?

K: Thank you! When I began blogging, I felt a pressure to post something every day but that quickly made an enjoyable activity into a chore. Once I gave myself permission to relax, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Blogging has introduced me to creative people around the world that I would probably never have had the opportunity to know otherwise. It is a very encouraging and supportive community. My blog also serves as a chronicle of my artistic journey, which is incredibly helpful when I am faced with decisions about what direction I want to pursue next.

M: I see you've just begun to exhibit your art. Was it difficult, for you, to take the leap?

K: The most difficult thing about exhibiting my art was that I felt a bit more exposed. Overall, it was not that difficult for me. I tend to wear not just my heart, but my entire life on my sleeve so I don't mind sharing my artistic point of view. For me, the most difficult part is not over-committing myself. I get excited about every new invitation to exhibit so I have to step back and take a realistic look at how much I can accomplish while working full time and teaching workshops.

This concludes my interview with Kerri and I hope you've all enjoyed the questions and her responses.

Please check out Kerri's Blog, when you can, and you will get an even broader picture of her art and words. Her keen sense of humor comes out in her words.

It is such a privilege, for me, to have Kerri as a friend and I am so looking forward to our "team teaching" journey!

Thank you all for your visits, lovely comments and continued support. I wish you a safe and joyful day and week ahead.

Much love always - Marilyn xxoo