Laura Dame — Maker Interview -

Hello, my name is Laura and I am a mixed media artist based in Austin, TX. I love to play around and experiment in my art journals, and also enjoy dabbling in abstract, collage, and floral artworks. My favorite thing about art is that there are no rules – the only requirement is that whatever you create makes you happy! My main goal when I began sharing my art was to show people that you don’t have to be classified as an artist to pick up a paintbrush. Your art doesn’t have to be perfect, or even ‘good’ – it’s the act of creating that matters.

I am married to a wonderful husband, who is the person who first nudged me down my artistic path about 9 years ago (although he probably didn’t realize how much money I would spend on art supplies!). I am also the mother to two teenage boys, and a full-time Sonographer.

What does mixed media art mean to you?

For me, mixed media art is art that combines multiple supplies or mediums. Like, combining acrylic painting with collage, or watercolor painting with acrylic ink. Really, mixed media is about experimentation and play – there are no rules. Art journaling has become sort of synonymous with mixed media art as many people feel more free to express themselves and experiment in their art journals. I feel like there is probably an “official” definition of mixed media for like, art schools, but I think the art journaling community has really taken it and made it their own.

How long have you been a mixed media artist?

I have been a mixed media artist for almost 10 years now.

How has art impacted or enhanced your life?

When I was younger, I always felt the pull to create, but I was highly critical of myself. I told myself that I wasn’t an artist, I wasn’t talented enough, and everyone else was better than me.

It wasn’t until I got older and got to a point where I needed to do something that was just for me, something that would help with my stress levels, that I came across art journaling and mixed media. Everything I read said how it didn’t matter what kind of art you were making, or if it was “good” or not, as long as you were creating something. That the act of creating was all that mattered. That is what really resonated with me.

Along the journey I have learned more about myself as a person. I have connected with a creative part of myself that I hadn’t known existed. I’ve learned how to slow down (mostly), and found better ways to deal with my stress.

Tell us about your creative process.

That is a really difficult question to answer. I dabble in so many areas of mixed media – art journaling, collage, abstract, floral, sketching, book making… How I approach my creative process depends on my mood and what I feel like creating.

My go-to process for journal pages starts with a layer of collage, a layer of gesso, then playing with paints, mark making, and stenciling.

What inspires you?

I get a lot of inspiration from nature. I love flowers, though I’m not always successful at growing them (but I’m getting better). My family and I go camping frequently, and I love getting into nature, noticing the colors and patterns, and I especially love waterfalls. I think this is why one of my favorite things in art is when paints run and flow together.

Vintage things also inspire me. I have a favorite antique store, and when I walk in I just feel immediately inspired. I love old books, letters, and tins, and I love incorporating vintage ephemera into my art.

Finally, I get inspired by other artists. I love seeing different artists’ process, viewing new color palettes that I would never have thought of, and finding new techniques

What do you do when faced with a creative block or rut?

Well, first I sit at my desk and stare at my art supplies wondering what I should do. Then I’ll go onto my computer or tablet and find a class or video that inspires me. I have purchased a NUMBER of classes over the years, so many times I will scroll through and revisit the ones that are calling to me. Other times I’ll end up stumbling upon a new one that I just can’t live without. But either way, watching someone else’s creative process will (most times) light the fire for mine.

Sometimes I get into a rut of sorts because I have so many ideas floating around in my head and I want to do them all now, which ends up being really overwhelming. Doing a brain dump and making a list of my ideas, which I can then prioritize, helps in this case. Other times I’ll want something to turn out perfect, and I get afraid that it won’t, so I don’t try. In these cases I’ll take a step away and then come back and just force myself to do it. If it turns out the way I wanted, great! If not, then I learned something about myself, which is also great!

What are a few of the mixed media art supplies you find yourself returning to?

I dance between acrylic paints and watercolors a lot – it depends on my mood which I will pull out. Also, collage is a big part of my art life, so I am constantly going through Matte Medium and glue sticks. Stabilo All pencils are also amazing, as are water soluble crayons like NeoColor II.

Who are some of your favorite mixed media artists?

Oh, gosh, how much time do you have?

Laura Horn, Rae Missignman, Roben Marie Smith, Dina Wakley, Megan Quinlan, DeeDee Catron, Leaca Young, Denise Lush, Tiffany Sharpe… I could keep going.

Where would you like to go with your art? What are your goals?

My main goal with creating and sharing my art has been to encourage others that you don’t need any kind of special education or classification to create. You are an artist no matter what. That was something that I took a while to figure out.

I currently work full time as a sonographer in a clinical setting. So my secondary goal is to be able to turn my art into a full-time career/business. I have currently been working on designing some products and making journals to sell. I’ve also participated in a number of collaborative art classes, as well as creating a few of my own. I recently launched a membership program that I am really excited about, as well. I feel like I am on the right track, and I’m hoping each of these avenues will continue to grow.