I am really excited to bring you this next artist interview with Michael Nobbs. He is a full-time artist, blogger and tea drinker (not necessarily in that order) he has been blogging since 2004. His art and process is a testimony to several modalities of art-Art is healing, empowering, and inspiring, I also love that he totally embraces the Internet as a canvas for creativity and success.
Tell us your story.
In the late 1990s, when I was around 30, I was diagnosed with ME/CFS
(http://www.meassociation.org.In the late 1990s, when I was around 30, I was diagnosed with ME/CFS
began to dream about becoming an artist. About that time I also discovered the work and blogs of two artists, Keri Smith http://www.kerismith.com) and Danny Gregory http://www.dannygregory.com) and became very excited by the idea of drawing and illustrated blogging.
Eventually, I began my own illustrated blog (http://blog.michaelnobbs.com)
illustrated journal, The Beany (http://www.michaelnobbs.com/
These days I'm lucky enough to work full time as an artist and blogger. Increasingly I blog about sustainable creativity, how to remain creative and get the Important Work Done despite the constraints of limited energy. I still publish the Beany and later this will be launching a new blog, that will be dedicated to illustrated blogging about my life on the side of my hill in Wales.
What does it mean to be an illustrated blogger?
Illustrated blogging is simply being lucky enough to draw a picture and then write about it (just like on Monday mornings at school when we wrote half a page of writing about our weekend and then draw a picture to go with it!)
Can you talk about the Beany and your Blog Substainly Creative?
The Beany is my illustrated journal, a sort of blog-in-print.
I began publishing it in 2004, produced three black and white paperbacks. After a hiatus while I studied part-time for my MA, I produced. The Beany #4 earlier this year, a full colour version sold as a limited edition hardback, paperback and ebook. The Beany #5 is in the pipeline.
The Beany is really about finding (and drawing) life's small pleasures.
My blog, Sustainably Creative, is aimed at people, like myself who for whatever reason are limited in energy. I hope to show that it is possible to stay creative even when energy is limited, and how even doing small creative acts on a regular basis can build over time into a substantial body of work (and a creative career).
What are the Pros and Cons of Blogging?
I'm a huge fan of blogging. Through blogging I've met artists I admire, been inspired and also earn my living. How can there be any cons?
What is the greatest thing about the internet and social media for an
artist?
The fact that we can sidestep traditional gatekeepers, a take our work directly to the audience. Artists can all suddenly be there own publicists, publishers and gallery owners if they choose.
How does nature, the land, landscape,the environment affect our
creativity
I don't think I can generalise for other artists, but for me, living in a beautiful spot in rural west Wales, is a big boost to my creativty. I think city life would be too exhausting, and probably leave me little energy for being creative (though I do like to visit The Big City from time to time). So, whilst my work isn't directly effected by the landscape I live in, I do think my ability to be creative is.
Tell us a little bit about your own art practice.
I work as and when my energy allow, but try and doing a little something every day. When I first started to draw I predominantly worked with a sketchbook and pen, often scanning work afterwards to colour in Photoshop. Increasingly I work digitally, drawing directly in Photoshop with a very old graphics tablet bought on eBay.
I often work in bed (even though I'm lucky enough to have a studio in my garden).
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I hope my health will continue to improve. I'd love to be travelling more. Perhaps in five years time I'll be just about to board a plane for a three month drawing trip to New York. I'm sure there are lots of cafes to draw in in New York...
Do feel art can create social change?
I'm quite sure it can and does.
I'm quite sure it can and does.
What does art mean to you?
Drawing has added immensely to the quality of my life (I'm trying not to say that drawing saved my life, that sounds trite and over dramatic, but I do wonder it it did! It certainly helped me slow down, see things anew, and showed me world had a lot to offer when previously it had felt a very bleak place).
2 Comments:
A wonderful interview. Michael is a fantastic source of creativity and inspiration. His blog, artwork, and insight have certainly inspired me.
Excellent interview, not only interesting about Michael's life and art in itself, but very inspiring to others who feel they'll never get anywhere because they can't dedicate hours a day to creating.
"I hope to show that it is possible to stay creative even when energy is limited, and how even doing small creative acts on a regular basis can build over time into a substantial body of work (and a creative career)."
Every artist and aspiring artist needs to ready this daily!
Plus I learned Michael was inspired by another artist I look up to and am motivated by, Keri Smith. Going to have to check our Danny Gregory now.
Thanks Michael, and Lauren and Lisa.
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