A Few Words

With

Leanne Ellis





Explore, Dream, Discover

Art is a personal journey of imagination and discovery. Along the way, every artist will reach crossroads - decisions as to how best to continue their own personal voyage. At these points, the journey either continues along a similar path, or becomes an expedition into the unknown.

We are all continually searching for inspiration and for myself that inspiration came when I came across the work of UK artist Leanne Ellis. To me, her drawings are so unique. Maybe I found them at just the right time for me. But I do know others have been captivated by their charm and simplicity too.

How pleased was I when I found out Leanne's art work was being used for rubber stamps by the house of sugar " Sugar Nellie". I could now transform Leanne's art work into my own works of art. As you can tell, I am totally hooked. I now have the momentum and inspiration I needed. Now I am enjoying shading and highlighting with watercolour pencils and, WOW! I am even taking my first tentative steps into drawing.

Leanne has kindly agreed to answer a few questions I put to her that I am sure you will all find informative, insightful and motivating. Enjoy!

Shelley - Are your designs based around people you know?

Leanne - I often get asked if my characters are based on anyone that I know! I think I would have to say no... but then I would also have to say that in some weird way they are all different
versions of myself! People that know me often say that my drawings look like me - not physically, but in they're personality, if that makes any sense?! I think that's the same with all artists though!

Shelley - If not, where do you get your inspiration for your images?

Leanne - I get inspired by so many different things. I love looking through interior design magazines, such a rich reference for colours and patterns. I am also completely obsessed with vintage jewellery. I've collected so many bits and bobs over the years that I'm pretty much surrounded by it! Nothing expensive, it's mostly from charity shops and car boot sales, but I love the 'strangeness' of a lot of the designs, and they always inspire me. I love to look at vintage illustrations also. But, I find that I'm most inspired by the little quiet moments in life, and those are the things that I try to capture in my work.

Shelley - How did you feel when Sugar Nellie approached you to turn your art work into rubber stamps?

Leanne - When Sugar Nellie approached me regarding turning my artwork into stamps, I was both excited and baffled! Until then I was completely oblivious to the world of rubber stamps! I'd seen the usual ones with the phrases, patterns or icons, but I had no idea that there was such a market for arty character based stamp designs. I was so excited once I realised that there was a whole society of stampers out there creating amazing works of art! When I first saw my designs as rubber stamps I was really pleased. Although, I've always had quite a delayed reaction to my artwork whenever it's been published or used commercially in some way... I worked for Carlton Cards as an Illustrator for three years, and during that time I would often walk into a card shop to pick up a card for someone, and stumble across one of my designs. Without fail, for the first few seconds I would be standing there thinking 'ooo, that looks familiar, where have I seen that before?' Ha! I think that I get so involved in the technical side of creating an image that I sort of disconnect from it until I've had a bit of distance and can see it objectively again! But in a way that works in my favour with the stamps because I get such a thrill from visiting peoples blogs and seeing how they've interpreted them into they're beautiful creations! I'm really excited to see how the next batch will be received - the arty designs are definitely my favourites! :)

Shelley - You have just released 8 new beautiful rubber stamps. What is next for you?

Leanne - In terms of other work, I'm painting flat-out at the moment towards an exhibition in mid June at Swansea Metropolitan University, where I've been working this past year as Artist in residence. This body of work is slightly more conceptual than many of the pieces on my blog. I've worked mainly with pencil and digital for the past few months, so it's really nice to be painting again. My main ambition at the moment is to get myself represented by some really good galleries and begin selling my artwork that way. I also intend to pull my finger out and finally enter the next Bologna Children's Book fair, as I would love to write and illustrate my own books! I've reached a point with my work now where I'm so tired of getting in the way of myself with silly fears and insecurities. I've always had the awful habit (which I think most creative people suffer from) of doubting myself and my ideas and being afraid to take new chances. But I'm realising more and more every day that to be creative shouldn't make you feel anxious and insecure, it's an amazing gift, which only becomes destructive if it's not nurtured and encouraged! I read a Mark Twain quote the other day which really made me stop and think:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover'.So that's what I'm determined to do!! I mean, if any one's capable of Exploring, Dreaming and Discovering it's all us creative types, right?!... :)P.S. Can I just take this opportunity to say a hoooooge thank you to all the amazing stampers who have been so lovely and supportive of my designs for Sugar Nellie. I really appreciate all your comments, and I'm constantly inspired by your beautiful blogs and gorgeous creations! xx

I would just like to thank Leanne for kindly sharing her thoughts with us and I am sure you would too. I would also like to wish her all the best now and in her future ventures. If you would like to see more of Leanne's art work or purchase any of her wonderful creations visit her blog here -http://la-la-laillustration.blogspot.com/

I would also like to thank all who encourage me along the way and for all my cherished readers. Please go ahead and make a comment and let me know if you are interested in the challenge below.

Leanne's New Rubber Stamps

http://www.funkykits.co.uk/catalog/ On line store for Sugar Nellie Rubber Stamps

I am planning a challenge very soon and would like as many as possible to have a go and join in. All you will need is just one of Leanne's new stamps. Yes that's the challenge, create something using one of her newly released rubber stamps. If you are interested I think it would be helpful if you indicate your interest when you make a comment. Watch this space!!!!!