Heather first discovered papercrafting in 1999 when a friend invited her to a Creative Memories party. She was instantly hooked. Over the coming years she became a teacher, a Scrapbooking Memories magazine Master and wrote articles for several scrapbooking magazines.
She dabbled in other forms of papercrafting and mixed media over the years and now finds herself making more art journal pages than anything else, although she still enjoys variety in her art and craft forms.
Heather saw a need for quality images that could be used in all forms of mixed media art and, during covid, ArtStacks was born. ArtStacks now supplies unique, inspirational images for mixed media artists, art journalers, scrapbookers, card-makers and all forms of papercrafters.
Heather can’t imagine life without papercrafting and figures she’ll probably die of old age with a pair of scissors in one hand and a paintbrush in the other!
What does mixed media art mean to you?
To me it means anything goes! I love adding different mediums, textures and layers to my projects. A typical art journal page would have a geli-printed background, images or backgrounds printed on tissue, a focal point printed on paper, some stitching, some paint or spray and some ribbon or fibre.
How long have you been a mixed media artist?
About 25 years. My first pages were strictly paper, but I soon started adding extra items to my pages. I used a lot of chipboard and stitching appeared early in my journey. One of my best purchases was a decent sewing machine. It hasn’t left my desk in the last umpteen years.
How has art impacted or enhanced your life?
Art has impacted my life in so many ways! From the day that I first stuck a piece of paper to a page, I was obsessed. Life gets really busy sometimes but I always found time to create, although there might have been other things that I should have been doing!
I have met so many amazing people on this arty journey. I’ve made wonderful friends online and have had the incredible experience of meeting some of those friends in real life. Some of my online friends are just as important to me as my face-to-face friends.
I’ve also been honoured to teach. Teaching is a wonderful way to learn!
Tell us about your creative process.
I’ve never been a person who has a distinctive style. I love to experiment with different styles within a form of papercrafting, but also to experiment with different forms of mixed media and papercrafting. I’ll create a bright, bold art journal page and a soft, dreamy mixed media project the next.
I try to plan my pieces. I’m not a throw-it-on-the-page-and-see-what-sticks kind of person. I’d love to be more spontaneous but whenever I try the more slapdash approach, I’m disappointed with the results. Having said that, my pieces rarely turn out like I planned so I guess there must be spontaneity along the way.
What inspires you?
So many things inspire me! Colour is a big one. My work is very colour driven. I love bright and bold colours but will use any colours that are appropriate to the mood of the piece I’m creating.
ArtStacks images were designed to be inspirational, and I find I rarely create without them now. I get excited about the potential of these images and how they can be used in so many different ways.
What do you do when faced with a creative block or rut?
Strangely, this is not something I face too often. By the time I get to my crafting desk I usually have a good idea of what I’m going to do.
Like many of us, I get lots of inspiration from other artists. I think we all influence each other. Sometimes just a small detail on a project can send me thinking in a whole new direction. I love our creative community!
What are a few of the mixed media art supplies you find yourself returning to?
This is easy – ArtStacks! I use ArtStacks images in almost everything I make. Even though I create in a variety of styles and forms, there’s always something there that works for me.
I also use a lot of sewing machine stitching and I love making my own backgrounds on my gel plate. You’ll always find a good black marker pen on my desk too.
Like many of us, I get lots of inspiration from other artists. I think we all influence each other. Sometimes just a small detail on a project can send me thinking in a whole new direction. I love our creative community!
Who are some of your favorite mixed media artists?
Ohh this is a tough one! There are so many talented artists out there.
Many of my favourite artists are part of the ArtStacks design team so I’ll just say the whole team is my favourite group of artists! I find the work of these ladies incredibly inspirational as they use our images in ways I had never even thought of.
Where would you like to go with your art? What are your goals?
Although it would be fun, I don’t strive to have my art hanging on the walls of a gallery. These days, I’m perfectly happy just creating for myself. I’ve already achieved way more than I could ever have dreamed.
As I have an art-focused business I find all my creative ambitions go into that. I’m always thinking about the next new release or the next project. It’s hard work but so rewarding!
Aside from art, what makes you giddy in life?
Travel! My husband I are passionate travellers and try to travel whenever we can.
Family and friends are a big part of my life too. They’re the people that keep me grounded.
I also love living in the country. I need space around me and love finding beauty in nature.
Where can we find you?
Heather
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mcmahonheather/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/heather.mcmahon.5492/
Blog: www.heathermcmahon09.blogspot.com.au/
ArtStacks
Website: www.artstacks.com.au
Shop: www.artstacks.com.au/shop
Instagram: www.instagram.com/artstacksdesigns/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/artstacksdesigns/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ArtStacks
Blog: www.artstacks.com.au/blog
