Marion, what would you say your happiest art moment was, or is?

Was and is – The first time I saw the chemical reaction between Lemon and Thalo in watercolour was bizarrely wonderful – I was hooked, still am.

Some artists work from well thought-out, planned drawings/images in a visual diary, right down to the colours they’ll use before they pick up their tools and materials for the final stage. Others hurl themselves straight into that final stage, with an idea vaguely sketched out on a page of their visual diary, or in their mind, experimenting with whatever presents itself along the way, driven by spontaneity and/or impatience, call it what you will, towards an end result. How would you describe yourself in terms of the way you approach your work?

I’m a jump in the deep end kind of gal! I am a total dreamer, literally. I wake up and have planned out the whole design in my head and I urgently want to get the design started. My biggest frustration is that the design in my head looked so much better than the design in the linocut/etching/painting.

Much of your non-printmaking art is created with watercolours, so it seems only natural that you’d weave that medium into your printmaking. With regards to your printmaking, what is your technique for blending in watercolour paints, and/or do you mix them with printmaking inks?

I love to print and then paint over the dried print with watercolour and I also love to paint a watercolour and then print over the top. I have a terrible problem with sticking to one technique. My partner is always saying to me “why are you trying something new when you just got this right?”

‘Comfortably Numb’ demonstrates printing over watercolour.

‘Our universe throught the Ages’ demonstrates a print that has been painted over with watercolour paints.

It’s interesting to look at an artist’s work and have an opinion about what we see, not so easy to analyse what influences our opinion. However, I’m always also curious about the artist’s perceptions of his/her work. Do you have an objective perception of your own work?

I would love to but I can’t because I have all the background thinking to the piece of art. I always ask my son and daughter for their opinions as they are brutally honest – sometimes if I like a painting/imprint, I won’t be asking for their opinion.

• Now, on a lighter note, thinking about your art, or your creative working space, how would you finish off the following sentences?
  I dream of….
  
  …owning an art studio that has wide opening bi-fold doors that open onto a broad veranda with overhanging gum trees and a glistening river view. Ahh, to dream.
  
  I love to work with…
  
  …my printing assistant who cleans up after me. Lol.
  
  What inspires me most is/are…
  
  …design and colour. Design is everything and so satisfying when rules are broken.
  
  And lastly,
  I don’t like talking about …
  
  …can’t think of a thing I wouldn’t want to talk about when it involves art. I just love creating.

Thank you for participating, Marion, and for giving us an insight into your thoughts, and sharing your watercolour printmaking technique with us. It has been fun exposing the personality behind your artwork, and I hope it has been a rewarding experience for you too.

Huge thanks to Marilyn and Elaine – such excellent hosts!!!

I have a big dream for a studio to create in too Marion with the veranda for sure.. and room for afternoon tea and lots of light!! I have always loved your work, it is primal and story driven for me. Your technique is something I would never have known about if not for RB and the exposure I have to all kinds of new mediums and expressions.. YOU ROCK.. and your kids better be cool with mom.. cause I am a big big fan!! xox

I was so happy to see that you had been interviewed Marion, I am always so curious about the methods you use to create your wonderful art, and it was wonderful to hear how you feel about the work you do…what a great and interesting look into your world. I love your dream for a lovely studio, I hope you can dream it into being just like you do with your art! Thanks for sharing :-) xoxoxo

Our universe through the ages is a wonderful image good to hear the story behind the artist very enjoyable Congratulations to you both

Great Interview, I love your work and I like that you are a dreamer and jump right in to your work of art, that is how I approach my work. I too have better images in my head:)....here is to all your dreams for that lovely studio which sounds perfect…. It is soo good to hear more about you Marion and keep on creating and dreaming…..Robin

oh what a fabulous interview love your work Marion and how similar we all are , I too just jump in hoping the image will turn out as I see it. I don’t do any printmaking [did a bit of silkscreen] and unsucsessful mono! but it sounds fun.

Marion, you have been and are an integral part of my understanding of this place called RedBubble. Your openess, your kindness and generosity have been as guidelines for me as i develop relationships with other artists. For this, you are very much appreciated.
To dream is a wonderful thing and to express it is a gift. Your studio…i love it! Thank you Marion!

Design, color….and breaking the rules! This is a wonderful interview, Marion. I’m definitely a “hurling oneself into the final stage” person, LOL! But your planning produces fascinating results, and your technical skills amaze me.