I seriously can’t wait for you to meet my artist friend, Roben-Marie. I fell in love with Roben-Marie’s blog and art about two years ago. She has an interesting style that draws the eyes in and inspires me in my own art adventures. For our quest to GET CREATIVE I thought it would be fun to interview Roben- Marie and pick her creative brain on how we can make time for creativity in our own lives.
***Update**** Be sure to scroll all the way down for info on a very special giveaway of Robe-Marie’s artwork!
~Roben- Marie, can you tell us a bit about your creative journey? How you discovered your gift of making art? How does it connect you with God?
At a young age it became clear that I was interested in creative things. My mom jokes that she isn’t sure where I got it but she was an excellent seamstress. I remember making my own stuffed animals, jewelry, ornaments and gifts and I was especially drawn to paper and loved stationery, stickers and books and created my own simple journals. My journey took me to a more “practical” career choice and I worked in public relations and marketing for some years before I decided that I really wanted to love my work and that is when chose to make art in some way full-time. God has given me my talents and helped me to further develop them. I am constantly reminded of His blessings when I am creating and sharing my gifts with others.
~Do you have any tips on how to make time to be creative?
I am a firm believer that we all make time for the things we truly love. Making time for creative endeavors is no different than making time to exercise, study God’s word or making time for friends and family. But with anything, we need to make it a habit. I get easily distracted and find that I have to really plan my day or things pull me away and I end up getting little done. It isn’t hard to be creative on some level each day. It might not be realistic to knock out a completed painting in one day but putting one layer to canvas is possible. If I can’t work in the studio for a full day, I can work on small projects like making handmade cards for my church family to encourage them or lift them up.
~Tell us about your new project you launched in January on your blog–The 1:2 Project.
Jude 1:2 reads: May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance! I believe we all have God given gifts and talents and through the years I have looked for opportunities to bless others with mine. Last year I made a decision to follow my heart and focus on my passion. This decision was made following a summer mission trip to Romania. While I can’t travel throughout the year in that capacity, I have found a way to encourage and bless the lives of others in a different way. The 1:2 Project merges my love of creating and my desire to reach and touch the lives of people I do not know. It is the simple concept of showing kindness “one to another.”
Each month I accept nominations from my blog readers. They tell me about someone they know who might need a little encouragement, a note to lift their spirits or a handmade piece of mail art that might bring them some joy. I randomly make selections each month and those individuals receive something from me. It is that simple!
Isn’t that some awesome advice? I really think it applies to any kind of creative tasks. Check out the collage below with some “eye candy” from Roben-Marie. LOVE IT! Also, be sure to check out Roben-Marie’s website where she has some awesome tutorials and videos. ALSO! If you ever want to learn how to make mixed media art like she does, Roben-Marie has some really great online classes on her website too. I’ve take an few and they have inspired me to no end.
***Update: Roben-Marie would like to giveaway a couple of packs of her artist cards to my readers. Just leave a comment to be entered. The drawing will close on February 20 at 5:00PM EST when I will randomly select two winners.
I love everything about her art. It is so visually captivating. God has definitely blessed her with an amazing talent!
I agree!!
Thanks so much Ry! God is good and has given me talents, some of which were unexpected and some that took me a while to recognize. Sometimes our gifts are not what “we think we want” but what God knows is best. Blessings to you!
*squeals* I’ve seen things like this and random doodles on Pinterest. I love art and have always wanted to be able to draw but my skills are mild-moderate at best. As I’ve seen stuff like this on Pinterest I’ve been thinking about trying again, it doesnt look to difficult and like anything goes. I am going to be watching her videos to learn more and get a little direction :) and hopefully it’ll help out to rest “my art needs to be perfect” thoughts that hold any sketching I can do back.
The 1:2 project is an awesome, awesome idea! Maybe someday I’ll be able to do something like that :)
One of my other things with art is, when your done creating what do you do with it? If you don’t sell it or give it away (I don’t have a large circle of friends that’d care) it just builds up in your room like an unitnetnional hoarder.
Good question. A big thing in the art world these days is Art Journaling. Basically you keep a book of the art you make that serves as a creative journal of sorts. There are no rules…just play…just expressive. Roben-Marie does a lot of art journaling on her blog. She has a class too to teach you how to do it. Really fun. If you want more links about art journaling, just let me know.
Hello Tonya! That is a very good question. I keep the things I make that I really love. Of course, my art journals stay with me. I like to read through them from time to time like any other type of journal. I not only sell my work but also give a lot of it away. You may not have friends who would appreciate your handmade goodies but there are people who would. How about a little thank-you to the local barrista that you see regularly or your hair dresser? Get creative! I even same pieces and then do an exchange with other artists. I have even know artists who “leave” handmade things around town with a note for someone to take it if they love it. One friend left a small painting in an elevator so it could find a new home. Blessings to you!
Girl! Go for it! Just jump on in and give it a try. The videos on Roben-Marie’s website are a great source of inspiration.
Beautiful artwork! Seeing her work inspires me to be more creative and have fun while creating :)
Thanks Christy! I hope my videos/tutorials will be a source of inspiration to you. Have fun!
I absolutely love all the colors!!!!… I must make time to sit down (with my son) and look at these tutorials…. Though he is only 7, he is so much more creative than I am!…. This would be a great opportunity for some “mommy and son” time!!… :)
Hello Erin! I receive e-mails from my blog readers who tell me that they watch my tutorials with their children and what a great way to spend time “together” with them while they learn. I think that is a great idea! Blessings to you both!
Love this post. Thanks for introducing us to and giving us a glimpse of Roben-Marie’s journey into her creativity. Here’s a little question…so, what if you just don’t feel like you have overly creative gifts, especially in the artistic department? Do you think anyway can find your inner artist? Or do you think seeking creativity in other areas is just as important?
Lou :)
Hello Emma Louise! I think that we are our worst critic and often feel that we can’t do something or are not very good at it. I feel inadequate quite often. Along the way, I have tried many forms of creating and some I have liked and some I have not. Some just seemed to click with me and those were the things I pursued further. The more I learned and the more I practiced the better I got. A handmade card to someone who needs to be uplifted can be a creative endeavor. Maybe the “creating” part for us is that we clear our minds and allow the Lord to fill us in those moments. When we are open to hear God, He directs us. It might not be about painting a masterpiece but instead doing something we love so it brings us joy. There are lots of ways to be creative: planning meals, parties, etc. I hope that makes sense…writing is not my gift! LOL! Blessings to you!
WOW!! Roben-Marie’s work is so beautiful!! My one year old nephew loves to paint. I pray its something that sticks with him as he grows. I might be bias but hes supper talented, funny, adorable, and artistic. =)
Thanks Roben-Marie and Sarah!!
Priscilla Lopez
Hello Priscilla! My love of art and creativity came out at a young age. My parents always supported me and nurtured it and I consider that such a blessing. Sometimes art and creative endeavors are not taken seriously. Encourage your son along the way. Blessings to you!
I loved reading this and being reminded that we can make time to do things like this. I always say that I would love to be able to do more craft things (especially after going on Pinterest) but I have always thought that I do not have enough time. I think that her artwork is very unique and gorgeous!! I also love the idea of the 1:2 project =]
Hello Laura! I am glad this article helped remind you of this. There are lots of small projects that can be done in little time. I do best when I schedule things so maybe gather supplies one day and then schedule a block of time to use those items to create something you really like. If I am a bit pressed for time, I try to make more than one thing with the supplies I have pulled out. For instance, maybe you saw this great idea on Pinterest and there is a cross over in supplies with another project you want to try. Try doing both within a certain period of time while the supplies are out. Have fun!! :)
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I love this! It reminds that God loves color & loves when His children share in His beauty. You’ve got great talent dear & I love how your using it to bless others. Be blessed! P.s I kinda wanna go paint now;) There is an awesome Christian owned paint studeo here & yeah, that’s my extent of painting. But is so fun & maybe it’d help me process my trip – got back couple weeks ago from a mission trip to Cambodia! We live in such a big world. =)
Hello Miranda! Thanks so much! God has given us so many beautiful things in this world…inspiration is all around us. I have to tell you that yes, this is a big world but I am often reminded that it is very small, too. Several years ago I went to El Salvador on a medical mission trip. I was sitting next to a young local man one day and we began to talk. We shared our stories and I told him that my brother was a preacher and had been to the same area years before after the earthquake hit El Salvador. Well, wouldn’t you know…he knew my brother and had met him during that same time. He told me that he heard him preach and knew then that he wanted to be a preacher as well. I love how God put us together that day and we discovered that connection! Blessings to you! RM :)
Robin, I love the idea behind the 1:2 project! I think that’s an awesome way to give back from your own abundance. :)
Thanks Debra! It is very exciting for me to know that something I have made will arrive into the mailbox of someone I do not know. Blessings, RM :)
Love, love, love your 1:2 project and your super-lovely art, Roben-Marie! I’ve always wanted to try my hands at mixed media and art journaling . . . so I’ll definitely be checking out your website! =)
Thanks Sarah! The response has been wonderful so far to The 1:2 Project. I receive many heartfelt nominations and it is so exciting when the mail/packages go out each month! Cheers, RM :)
God has given her a real talent I love her artwork I am sure it is a blessing to many!
Hello Meg! Thanks so much and glad you find my work inspiring! Have a blessed day! RM :)