COSMIC CEPHALOPOD

SHE’S STILL SMILING

Sinister Snake Siren

ONE WISH

The Twitcher Forward To The Past

Albany Western Australia

1. Tell us a little about yourself and where you live?

I was born in Western Australia and retired about 2 years ago after working as a Registered Nurse for many years. It was a fulfilling career which gave me the opportunity to work in many different clinical areas and in quite a few different places.

I’ve lived in the beautiful city of Albany for the last 20 years with my husband, Ron. My family moved here from Kununurra where we had been for 8 years. That was a fabulous experience in a magnificent part of Australia. We have three wonderful adult children who live and work elsewhere in Australia.

My local camera club is rather unconventional, the members of which are connected by a love of photography and/or digital art in its many forms.

Some of my other interests include visiting art galleries and museums, travel, reading, music and walking.

2. How did you become interested/get started in Photo Artistry?

I came across a yearlong Photoshop Course in 2015 which was great value. It was rather challenging as we were required to take a new photograph and edit it each week with the specific tutorial technique provided. Different participants were chosen for a critique of their images and the learning curve from this was steep! I joined the follow up programme for the next 2 years and during this time, in 2016 I came across the Photoshop Artistry course run by Sebastian Michaels. This was an enlightening moment as I realised the freedom of possibilities within this art genre would be expansive and limitless. It turned out to be more fun and captivating than I imagined.

3. What inspires you or gives you inspiration to create your art?

Many things. I enjoy different forms of unusual architecture, atmosphere, light, textures, shapes and colour. I might see an artwork with beautiful light or one with dramatic atmosphere which triggers my imagination. Sometimes a random idea will just pop into my mind.

4. Do you have a certain approach to creating your art?

Random would be accurate! I usually begin with an image, an element, artwork, art style or tutorial that piques my interest and then I just see where that takes me. The process varies with each piece. Often nothing seems to be coming together so I’ll either go back a few steps or leave it for a few hours or days. My favourite part of working on an image is when the elements start to merge into an harmonious artwork. All of my pieces take me a few hours as I find that I need to experiment with yet another texture, colour tone or technique. Learning to find a point at which to stop is difficult for me.

5. What does your art mean to you?

I find digital artistry to be quite challenging yet it allows me the liberty to develop my creativity in an unrestricted environment. It’s also an excuse to have fun. Becoming part of the digital art community has been a delightful bonus and is now an important part of my life.

6. Do you think since starting in photo artistry it has changed you and if so, how?

I think the main change is that my visual senses have been heightened. I look at everyday things in a different light. Much of my photography is now aimed at taking photos of things such as textures, clouds, objects, places and scenes that I think could be useful in a piece of digital art. It has also given me a greater appreciation of many alternative art forms.

7. Is there anyone that you draw inspiration from?

That list is extensive! My main sources are the Artists Down Under, Photoshop Artistry, The Awake Group, Kaizen and Shift Art communities where the number of art styles from the talented artists is seemingly endless. I think the willingness of everyone to share their knowledge make these groups exceptional. The tutorials provided in both Kaizen and Shift art are often excellent starting points.

I also enjoy the work of both traditional and contemporary photographers and artists.

8. Where do you see (or hope to see) your art taking you in the future ? What are your next steps?

There are so many possibilities! My main aim is to continue to have fun and improve my art by enhancing my skills and creativity. Perhaps develop a style that’s my own; at present my art is rather varied in form. Although, because I enjoy so many styles, maybe I’ll keep going with the eclectic approach! I also aspire to cultivate a greater sense of freedom and relaxation in the process of creating my artworks. Participating in a small local exhibition would be a great experience.

https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/margaret-kalms/

COLOURS OF KOTA KINABALU, SABAH, BORNEO