Ambassadors Spotlight - Linda M. Cain

Hi all!

I'd like to invite you to a new episode of the special feature on my blog I called Ambassadors Spotlight.

Last month I interviewed talented Monika Huculak and this time I'd like you to make yourself a cup of good tea and spend some time "chatting" to another great Artist who's very close to my heart and whose creations I have admired for many years now - my Brand Ambassador and a wonderful friend -  Linda M. Cain!

I just love how Linda called her blog "Friends in Art" (and this is how she always ends her emails :) 'cause this is exactly who she is - a wonderfully warm Friend with a big heart, always ready to share her art, beauty and inspirations!

You can admire Linda's beautiful art on her blog and follow her on facebook and instagram.

And here's what Linda says about herself.

Please enjoy and feel inspired!

I am basically an Artist interested in all mediums. I jump from one to another and love each one almost as much as the other. But, having said that, vintage patinas and rust with a picture from the past is what gets my blood pumping.

The only thing I love more is my family and all the crazy-busy things that keep us active in their lives. They mean the world to me, and I’m grateful for all the time they’re letting me spend pursuing my love of creating art.

1. How and when did you start your art adventure?

I suppose I started my adventure as a child.

I wanted to be an architect in grade school, but decided to get an art degree out of high school. My middle school teacher that tested us for career assessment looked at my results and said, "you should be a grease monkey instead of an architect." Needless to say, I'll never forget him.

But I seriously began after my 2nd child was born by taking watercolor lessons from a local artist. Later I found stamp and paper art when a friend started selling stamps and I was hooked.

2. What do you like the most about your style?

I like a 3D style that incorporates vintage and found objects with a photo from the past.

I love flea markets where you can dig around to find small discarded pieces of the past. The rustier the better. Bringing these items back into the spotlight for others to see is what I'm all about.

3. What are your art dreams/plans/wishes?

I wish I could finish more of the ideas that are in my head. Getting started is always a challenge for me. I overthink, which is what drives me the crazy. My dream would be to be able to just jump in and CREATE. Still waiting on that to happen.

4. What is your must have Finnabair product?

Hands down, my favorites are the Mechanicals. But I couldn't live without the 3D Matte Gel and the Gessoes. The pastes are a must have, especially the Patinas. Anything that gives a project added texture. But I love everything.

5. Share a quote that you find particularly inspiring.

"Blessed are the weird people... the poets, misfits, writers, mystics, painters, troubadours... for they teach us to see the world through different eyes." ~Jacob Nordby~

6. Share a word of of advice for all those who want to be creative and maybe are stuck in a creative rut or feel too shy or insecure to make and/or share their art.

Everyone has to be new some time; the kid waiting tables at the diner, the salesperson at the farm store, the teacher entering the classroom for the first time.

So be yourself, don't try to be Finnabair, or Adele, or Michael Jordan... we already have them... just be you. Create what YOU like.

And remember, we all evolve. I look back on my first pieces and cringe, but I kept trying and have learned so much.

If you want to be better, take classes in everything. Different mediums all blend together to make you a well-rounded Artist.

7. Show us your favorite artworks.

The Clock and Butterfly canvas is definitely one of my all-time favorites because of all the found objects and color that are surrounded by lots of texture.

The Lady in the Medallion which combines paper clay, metal, texture, vintage lace, and of course, a classic picture of a lady.

A Lovely Lady - a piece that is full of everything I love to work with.

I like to hang these little shrines above a light switch to see everytime I turn on the lights.

  I hope you enjoyed today's interview as much as I did. :)
Stay tuned to another inspiring Spotlight conversation in June!

Finn & The Team

Ambassadors Spotlight - Monika Huculak

Hello Friends!
I'm here today with a brand new inspirational series I called: Ambassadors Spotlight.

This idea was born out of a simple fact that I... well, that I just can't get enough of art made by these superbly talented Artists and that I love seeing them here on my blog as often as possible. :)

Today, I'd like to have a one-on-one chat with Monika Huculak whose feeling for vintage is pure magic and you can always get beautifully lost among all the delicious layers of paint, paper
and meanings in her stunning artworks.

Monika Huculak (a.k.a. Kolorowy Ptak - which means 'A Colorful Bird' in Polish) is a 33 year old ex-history teacher from the south of Poland.

Right now she works with special needs youth, she loves history and art and is a happy owner of a recently adopted shelter dog. :)

Please, enjoy today's post and make sure to leave some love for Monika! :)

Don't forget to follow her art on her {blog} and {instagram}.

1. How and when did you start your art adventure?

I started my blog in 2010 but even before that I would be creating pieces out of magazine cutouts not knowing that I could be calling it collaging or art journaling. :)

When I was browsing the internet looking for gift ideas for a friend, I came across scrapbooking blogs and I thought to myself that I would like to try making such pretty things myself. After trying out different kinds of art, I discovered that my favorite outlets are: altered art, large layouts and the closest to my heart - art journaling. I fell in love with the creative possibility to express myself and unwind at the same time.

I also discovered the wonderful art community of like-minded people and made some friendships that last to this day.

2. What do you like the most about your style?

The answer's simple: layers! I think they are my signature trait. Just like splashing and dyeing with coffee and all the vintage, 'time-worn' elements.

3. What are your art dreams/plans/wishes?

I've always wanted to try soldering. I get the feeling that I would have a lot of fun altering and creating with metal.

4. What is your must have Finnabair product?

I absolutely love Impasto paints and all the Mechanicals! They just perfectly match my style and the character of my artworks.

5. Share a quote that you find particularly inspiring.

The only limit is your imagination.

6. Share a word of of advice for all those who want to be creative and maybe are stuck in a creative rut or feel too shy or insecure to make and/or share their art.

Look for inspirations everywhere around you - in music or nature. Stay open.

Don't waste your time wondering what other people will say. Just listen to what your heart is telling you.

Keep experimenting, trying out new ideas and techniques. That's how you'll find your style.

7. Show us your favorite artworks.

All these pieces happened spontaneously, out of the need of my heart. Each of them makes me think of a special moment in my life and the people I love.

The first one is the one on which I had a blast painting with Impasto acrylics and my watercolors. I surprised myself when the piece turned out quite flat, I usually build up countless layers so it felt different but very exciting. :)

This tag was a a lot of fun to make as I wanted to create a special kind of work with my favorite quotations that could be hidden among the layers.

And finally, a very special frame with a photo of little me on my mom's lap. It goes without saying why I love it so much. :)

We hope you enjoyed today's interview and that you're already looking forward
to the next Artist Spotlight in May! :)

Finn & The Team

A bit about me: an interview for Sue from Irreversibly Moi Blog

Hi guys!
I can't even share what are the things I'm working on now, but they surely keep me very busy and away from internet! To keep you busy in this short time of my absence I have 2 things to entertain you!
First - for those of you who would like to learn a bit more about me - or just spend more time listening to my irremovable Slavic accent (I just realized AGAIN how thick it actually is! ) - here is the recording of the interview for Irreversibly Moi Blog:

And to make it all better I - there's a GIVEAWAY on my official FB Finn Fanpage now - you can still join (if you didn't do it yet... the response is a bit overwhelming!!! Thank you guys!)

Sending you love and waving wings in your direction...

Art Temptation

"The only way to get rid of temptation, is to yield to it." -

- Oscar Wilde said.

And so I did.
These pages simply had to happen...

There are those moments when you feel you have to put everything away and just express yourself.

Also I had this urge to check out what would the meeting of Silks and watercolor pencils look like...

And I must say it went very well... :)

p.s. Last week I was very happy to record an interview for Irreversibly Moi and pssst... there's also a giveaway so make sure you drop by! :)

Have a creative weekend, my Friends!