Charlene Maginn Interview

Australia and New Zealand

CHARLENE MAGINN INTERVIEW

By Trish Hoskin

In this edition of the magazine, I am introducing you to Charlene Maginn, one of the long-term members of the Awake group. Charlene hails from Canada but has become friends with a lot of us from Down Under. I caught up with Charlene to have her do an interview for us and tell us a little more about herself.

Charlene, can you tell us all a little about yourself and how you came to be involved in the “Awake” Group”?

Prior to joining the Awake group, I had a significant health crisis. When I could no longer participate in my career and most activities in life, I was devastated. Even so, I was determined to find a way back “to my old life”. Unfortunately, or perhaps as destiny would have it, that never happened. So here it was almost five years since my illness began, I happened to land upon an online page where I saw an ad for PhotoArtistry. As many of you know, that first dip into the treasure trove of what was yet to come, would crack open a new world in such a profound and incredible way.

Recently we have seen you take on some mentoring people to start the original training again. What gave you the motivation to organize that?

I had not been creating much since the beginning of 2020, so I had really hoped this might be a great way to reconnect and begin creating again. I had no idea at the time, that a whole new group of Awakeners would be joining us shortly thereafter – so the timing worked out perfectly! It’s so inspirational to see the fresh new ideas and immense desire to learn.

Your work is always dreamy and beautiful - where do you get your inspiration from?

To be honest, I am extremely curious and always contemplating what might be next to celebrate through my artistry. It’s been quite a journey from those early days when I was terrified to put my work in the Awake forum. It was those first posts that had me connect with the best of our digital creatives while carving out a new path that allowed me to embrace the magic that comes once you find your dance with the creative process. And what a gift to find inspiration again and again by being involved in all the groups that Sebastian Michaels has spearheaded. Each chance I get to view our group posts and peruse the magazines, I am completely in awe of the outstanding artwork that continues to be created every single day

How has Covid-19 affected your muse - has it helped you get motivated by being home a lot more etc. or has it hindered your processes?

Due to health issues, my life, as it were, had already been exceptionally quiet and mostly homebound. My life in fact has changed little since the pandemic, other than the first three months when I was unable to spend time with my grandkids. With that came a pretty low period I would say, and it truly affected my ability to be creative. I am so grateful to be motivated once again; and, very much a part of the new Awake Facebook group!

Among The Moon And Stars

These Awake and Kaizen Groups have grown so much over the last few years and a lot of members, although having never met, have become firm friends. What has that meant to you?

I truly had no idea how beautiful and profound the relationships would be with so called “online” friends. I have had some amazing conversations with many in our groups and feel truly connected. Fortunately I am able to travel so when we plan a vacation “road trip” I search for Awake members who live in the areas we are about to visit and see if they might be interested in a meet up. It’s been such a gift to meet so many truly kind and talented friends along the way!

Following on from this I know you have actually met up a couple of times with not only some of the other America members, but also our own Dean Hohn from Tasmania when he was over there as well - what was that like?

It was a truly incredible experience to have met both Dean and his wife Marilyn. They are a remarkably talented artistic couple, and both have shared their talents with me. During our first visit it was such an amazing experience as each of us took time to share our artwork via a slideshow and talked at length about what it means to be part of the Awake experience. We’ve been meeting bi-yearly since and hope to meet up again next summer!

What has finding “Sebastian Michaels” meant to you and your art?

I have spoken often and truly mean it when I say, that the day I learned about his program Photoshop Artistry and the follow up offer to join the first Awake group not only changed my life, but, miraculously gave it new meaning and direction. My health issues had so profoundly altered the way that I interacted with the world, that I didn’t believe it possible to ever find a way to feel fully engaged and purpose driven again. This was an adventure that would change my life in ways UNIMAGINABLE.

With your creations do you mainly use your own images or do you do photoshoots or do you use the products supplied by other digital designers and what is provided by the groups you subscribe to?

I have been a hobbyist photographer for over 35 yrs, and have taken my own images (grand kids, landscapes, objects) to use as part of my creations, and that in itself can be deeply satisfying. However, I do also love the variety of digital content, model images, and kits etc, that became available through the programs we are part of, becoming a Creative Team Designer, and the various purchases I’ve made. Each has a way of drawing out a different aspect of my artistic expression.

What is a typical art day in the life of Charlene?

Honestly, every moment that I am awake brings with it an awareness that all of us are an integral part of the web of creation. I’ve always felt connected, especially to people, but never to the arts. Now I see art in everything and it’s a beautiful way to go through life. I will be forever grateful to Sebastian Michaels for helping me discover a truly profound area of my life that may never have been examined nor explored.

What a precious gift to be part of the groups that have grown as a direct result of his vision to bring beauty to our world through the digital art realm.

I think you’ll agree another interesting peak into the life of our art comrades. Thanks for your time Charlene and thanks for your efforts to promote our group.

Mystical Blue