Introducing ... Anne van Alkemade!! by Cathie Tranent

Having been recently surveyed by Jo for her “Creativity” survey – I am now fulfilling my part of the “bargain” and bring to you one of the loveliest people I know!!

Ladies and Gentlemen …. Anne Van Alkemade!

How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life?

I think being creative, particularly in the sense of creating worlds in words, challenges me with a sort of duality (or even duelity) or having to live in both places and juggle which one takes precedence. Creative muses are jealous mistresses – if you don’t give them your full attention they go away and take their love with them but their love is so powerful that it is a prospect I can’t bear. And they will give you inspiration at the most inconvenient times. I am fortunate that most of the people in my life understand this and recognise the far away look I get at times.

Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful

There are so many – it’s really hard to mention just one so I will go for the most recent. Meeting Cathie Tranent and Cathryn in Melbourne recently was a particularly wonderful event for me. I am not naturally gregarious and meeting ‘new’ people can be very daunting to me (if I don’t have my journo hat on) but the afternoon we spent together while relatively uneventful was wonderful. It really was like meeting old friends and picking up where we left off because we had a cyberspace ‘past’ in common. I felt so comfortable and happy in their company – just for fun’s sake. I forget to have fun often.

Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you

• I was invited by Robin Pushee to write poems for her beautiful mermaids and fairies and have done almost a dozen to date. I find these to be rather joyful little ‘tasks’ and my favourite so far is Oceans Natural which has provided the most inspired response from me.

• I think the biggest smile on my face was recently inspired by GeorgieGirl’s Feathered Friends . It is such a gorgeous drawing with such warmth and happiness there. What a very fine achievement for someone to create something that can inspire someone else to really smile.

• Chanel2’s Zebra Crossing is an unbelievably mythic image made all the more so by its reality. It is a beautiful piece and when I look at it I disappear into that otherworld in my mind where I sometimes find my own gems.

• Guarding Diane is a piece by Elaine van Dyk which she posted at a time I was stuck on a pivotal chapter in my novel Cluesford (which had been serialised on Redbubble but I am now redrafting). The image was totally in keeping with the premise of my story about a town half ‘populated’ by ghosts going about their every day ‘lives’. Elaine’s wonderful image gave me that kickstart I needed to get on with it and finish (for once) my novel.

• How remiss would I be if I didn’t mention at least one written work (can I be sneaky and mention two?). Bellmusker whose writing such as Scorpio is evocative and redolent with emotion has inspired courage in me to write several very personal pieces.
The second is an essential part of my life i.e. I love to laugh (who doesn’t) and the simplest things are always the best for this in my book. Danny has a wicked way and although not a great example of his very talented writing, Pull my finger is just the irreverent and twisted writing I just love.

Sorry that I have missed so many other works. Redbubble is an inspiring and supportive place to be and I am revelling in my renewed drive to create.