Interview with Lee-Anne Washburn

Welcome to my creative universe

Interview with Lee Anne Washburn

12/17/2019

Through the years I have developed online friendships with people all around the world it's one of the things I appreciate the most bout
the internet. You get to meet people that have the same love and passion for creation in any form.

Lee-Anne and I share our love of art, cats and dolls, the funny thing that before I asked her to teach on my site I don't think I even knew what she looked like. Most of what I knew about her was her art and we both were very fond of dolls. She is my creative soul sister in some ways. we recently celebrated the first anniversary of her All-dolled up class and I wanted to celebrate her as well. So here an interview I did with her with some of her most recent work and if you read through the end you'll find a promo code to save 35% on her class.
Valid from December 17th until December 24th, 2019.

Tell us about your background, how did you came to art?

I have created one thing or another since I was a child. When I was younger, I would create my own “back drops” for my Barbies, design and create doll clothes, sew my own clothes, try to create my own paper dolls, etc. Since my father worked at a paper mill, he would bring home large reams of paper and I loved using large pieces of paper from it to create.

A fact that not a lot of people know about you,
any unusual skills perhaps?

I can do a wicked eye trick - I can move my eyes independent of each other somewhat.
It’s apparently not something fun to watch though. I have no idea how I came to learn
how to do it or why. It’s just one of those weird things.

An activity or hobby unrelatedly to art
that makes you feel good?

Hiking/Walking in one of the gorgeous Metro Parks in my area. I am lucky enough to live close
to several parks that have fantastic trail systems.

For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

My husband who has been incredibly supportive of me in anything I do. He’s my biggest cheerleader.

What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

A perfect day for me are those gorgeous summer days where there is a nice little breeze but it’s not too hot. Since it’s not too hot, I can open the windows and let the breeze blow through the house. I then put some music on and lose myself in creating something. There is something magical about warm summer days like these that seem to go on forever.

If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

Patience, for sure. I run short on it a lot. Art related, I would love to gain the ability to let myself be more loose in my creations. I find that incredibly difficult to do.

Early bird or sleep in?

Definitely sleep in because I tend to be a night owl. I could stay up for hours painting and creating. It’s hard, sometimes, to turn my brain off.

One medium you couldn’t live without?

It really is impossible to choose but I guess I would have to say a graphite pencil or a Stabilo All. One of these pencils tends to be at the root of most anything I do.

Your biggest influence?

That is incredibly difficult to answer. There is an incredible
amount of influence anywhere I look - online, in books,
in my own back yard...everywhere!

What being part of an art
community means to you?

I love my online art community because of the support you receive.
That is what an art community should be, I believe.

Art education background or were you mostly self-taught?

Mostly self-taught…I have been creating since I was little and already had a love for creating but I stumbled across the world of online classes and have never looked back. These classes opened a whole new world to me.

Your class is celebrating its first anniversary, how is that making you feel?

I am incredibly proud of this class and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. Creating my own paper dolls was something I always wanted to do.

What or how your art changed since you finished the class?

Over the past year, my art has changed tremendously. It mostly started in April when I decided to follow along with the 100 Day Project. For my project, I chose to complete 100 ATCs, most in watercolor. After that ended, I had a creative block that seemed to last forever. During that period, I started creating art/junk journals. I finally picked up a brush again but, this time, I started using acrylics and started to paint animals. I am now having a little love affair with acrylics. (Don’t get me wrong, I am proud of myself for finishing the 100 Day Project but I really burned myself out. Something I learned from that is if I decide to start something, I finish it – good or bad.)

Do you ever have creative blocks? If so how do you get past them?

Absolutely! (See above.). I believe every artist goes through them from time to time. It can be a little scary the first couple of times it happens because it can make you feel like you lost your art mojo altogether. During these phases, I might try some other medium, another art form altogether or take a break from creating altogether. I know enough now to just go with it because I know it will pass eventually. I have also discovered that, after these blocks are over, my way of creating has changed in a good way. These are the times when I make the greatest growth.

What is your biggest motivation when it comes to art?

I think my need or passion for art comes from when I was a child. I was taught to do so many different things such as needlepoint, macrame, sewing, that it has evolved into a comfort thing for me.

A revelation or knowledge that made your art goes to the next level?

It took me a while, but I finally figured out that if I do not push myself to try new things or push myself out of my comfort zone, I will never grow or make any progress. If you keep doing the same thing in the same way, you quit growing and remain stagnant. I know firsthand how easy it is to stay where you’re comfortable but you can’t if you want to take it to the next level.

Do you persist at things even do you don’t quite get it yet? In other words do you put yourself out of your comfort zones on purpose?

Yes, absolutely. I keep trying until I get it. I may not like it once I get it but I keep trying. I think it’s the stubbornness in me.

Do you put a lot of thinking in a new piece, sketch, trial and error before plunging or do you dive headfirst and work more intuitively?

I do think about a piece for a while before starting it but my approach can change depending on the medium I use. If I’m working in acrylics, I sketch my idea on the canvas but let the piece evolve if it’s not working for me. If I’m using watercolors, I finish what I’m doing (unless I really can’t stand it or can’t fix it) and then change how I approach the next watercolor piece.

Why dolls?

I love dolls!! It does not matter what kind, what size or what type they are. I have always loved dolls and I always will. I believe some people just do not grow out of it (nor do they have to). For me, I think part of it goes back to my childhood when I would create things for my dolls - I loved doing it and would spend hours at it. It’s some of my strongest memories.

All dolled-up is one year old and we are celebrating!
From December 17th until December 24th, 2019 save 35% on All dolled-up
Promo Code: Celebrate

Learn more about Lee-Ann All dolled-up class

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