Blog Stalking: Artist Dina Wakley

Interview by Maria Hammon

I cannot tell you how truly inspiring the art of Dina Wakley is to me, specially considering that I have diligently been stalking her blog for at least two years!  This is one of the reasons I find this interview so exciting! 

Dina, just how and when did you get started in the world of art journaling?

I've always been art-minded and I subscribed to Somerset Studio from the day it was first published. I devoured every issue, but was too chicken to try art myself. I started stamping and my skill level grew. Finally, I bought a blank book and started creating a visual journal. I've kept a regular journal since I was 9 years old, so I'm familiar with the process of putting yourself down onto paper. But with the visual journal I was combining words and paint. My very first art journal was about how I was too insecure to call myself an "artist." The great thing about art journaling is that it's a way to experiment and express yourself and it doesn't have to be "good"...it just has to be honest.

That is one of the many things I love about what you do, it is SO real. Raw. I love it!  What is your favorite art medium?                                     

I love collage and mixed media--acrylic paint and odds and ends and bits of whatever is laying around.

I love it when you say you "slapped a quick page together" and I see this masterpiece (from your current post.) Exactly how do you manage to create your art?  What is your process; does the theme come first?  Or is it the kind of colors?  The concept?  How do you typically start and finish a project?

This is a hard question...I rarely ever have an end product in mind when I start a page. I just start putting down paint and layers and see where it takes me. Often I'm driven by my emotions, or by something that is bothering me. I'll work on a page in my art journal, and as I have extra paint I'll wipe it on pages further back in the journal...I figure one day I'll get to those pages and there will be a little paint or something there to jump start me. I tend to work quickly, too...I don't agonize over the perfect thing to put on the page. I use what is within reach. I guess the process is kind of organic and intuitive. I love to layer...paints, inks, collage elements, etc. I think the layers create visual interest and combined together have meaning. I also love to use letters in my work. I was an English major in college and the written word has always moved me.

How do you manage life, family (with boys!) and the never ending daily chores and still find the time you need to create the beautiful works of art you create?  Come on, share the secrets!

Well, there's no secret. I'm always behind on housework. I figure the dishes can wait.

I love that!  Thank you.  I really needed to hear that today. Specially since my dishes haven't been done yet...this interview is much more important!  If you could pick any place in the world to live, where would it be and why? 

How about Del Mar in a house on the beach...or Lake Tahoe (North shore, Nevada side)...or Tuscany...or in a fun flat in London....oh wait, you said one place, right?

It is quite all right...we can always have more than one favorite place.  There are no rules when dreaming, right?  Now on a sweeter note, what is your favorite candy bar?

Milky Way Midnight...yum...and anything by Cadbury. When we lived in England we got hooked on British chocolate. I still crave Curly Wurlys and Star Bars and Double Deckers!

Where do you create?  Do you have a dedicated space at home? 

I do have a room...it's not really a studio, and it's not decorated nicely. But it's functional and it's mine. Someday I want built-in shelving, a sealed concrete floor, and a utility sink.

Funny you mention a utility sink...that's one of my dreams, too!  Specially because I always find myself splattered in paint!  What do you find most inspiring to you and why?

I find so many things in life inspiring...poetry, art, people who triumph over adversity, hummingbirds outside my window...I think I get inspiration from everything.

Here is one of my favorite pieces created by you last year, have you ever considered selling your art in Etsy or other similar places? 

No...I'm not trying to be self-defeating, but I really don't consider myself at the caliber I would need to be to sell anything. I feel like an infant when it comes to art...I have so much to learn. I look at how far I've come since I first started art journaling, and I'm amazed at the growth.

Where do you see yourself in the future?  Any goals or plans you'd like to share with us?

I just want to keep creating! :)

Comments

[Paulette Insall]

What a wonderful interview!!! I've been stalking Dina's blog for at least a couple of years too. :) I love her work, especially her visual journal stuff.

Great to hear I'm not the only one who lets the housework slide to get some art time in. *hee, hee* :D Having a family and being an artist myself, I find it's a constant struggle to find a balance and most times something has to go left undone....and that's usually the housework! LOL

[Liz Ness]

Oh, I'm so glad you interviewed Dina. Her work is amazing and I've been a fan (stalker?) for awhile now, too.

Dina, keep on rockin'!

[Erin Johnson]

I love Dina's work, she is so inspiring to me! Thanks for interviewing her. I will also definitely be keeping an eye on this site as well, I think it's awesome that you interview different artists!

[corinne delis]

Dina and her work are amazing, great interview!

corinnexxx

[Terry]

Dina should rethink the Etsy thing. I would buy her art.

[Maria]

Thanks everyone for your sweet comments! And Terry, yes, I also hope she'll reconsider the Etsy thing because I would totally buy her art, too! :D

[Dina]

Awww....thanks SO much for featuring me and thanks to all those who left comments. Made my day to read them! :)

[Beth]

Maria, great interview as usual. Dina, I too, love Marias fave peice from last year. Your talent is very inspiring. I can't wait to see more in the future!! Maria, keep up the great job of introdicing us to such talented people.

[Beth]

Spelling alert!!! Alert,Alert!! Misspelled word! I didn't preview before I hit the post button and just as I hit it I saw that misspelled word!! Of course the word is introducing, not introdicing. Kinda sounds like into dicing, which might refer to gambling or something. Oh well!

[Beef]

i before e, except after c!!! Where did I learn to spell? piece man, like peace to you too! Maybe I wasn't in school that day. Yeah, that's it.

[Maralena]

Wonderful interview. I love her work. Very inspiring indeed.

[Kim]

GREAT interview with an AMAZING artist! Dina is so freakin' talented....glad you chose her to spotlight!! Her work inspires me!