— The featured artist of the 60th issue of Living the Photo Artistic Life magazine is Canadian AWAKE artist Merrilee Soberg. I’m excited to share my interview with Merrilee here on Quill and Camera . . .
Q: Let’s start this way. Tell me a little about your artistic journey.
I really believe I came into this world with my artistic gene “turned on.” As a child I clearly remember “sketching” with my finger on my leg, drawing the facial features of whoever was sitting nearby. Already I was entranced by the different shapes on a face. I do know that I didn’t want to explain my actions to anyone so I drew with small secretive strokes on the side of my leg or even underneath it. I laugh when I think back to this but it did eventually evolve in my teens into “proper” artistic endeavors when I turned to charcoal portraiture.
In my twenties I experienced a magical life-altering moment when I witnessed a potter create an enormous, gracefully shaped bowl on a potters wheel. My soul was captured. I was immediately drawn in and repeatedly thought, “I want to create something that exquisitely beautiful, and with such speed and proficiency.” Of course this did not happen overnight. I purchased a kick wheel and taught myself the craft, learning from every failure, enjoying each success. Persistence eventually led to a successful 25-year career of teaching classes and selling my wares. It was a good life, stressful at times keeping up with the demand but very rewarding in so many ways. I was blessed to have an extremely supportive family and to be able to make a living at my craft.
Retirement left an enormous creative void however. I enjoyed my camera but didn’t really feel the urge to take the time to master it. However, when I saw some digitally created artwork I felt a surge of unbridled excitement swell up in me once again. I knew instinctively that this was my new direction. I immediately purchased Photoshop Elements 4 and struggled through my lack of computer vocabulary and skills. Persistence did pay off though as years later a photography friend suggested I look at some issues of “Living the Photo Artistic Life” magazine. I was blown away by the creativity and craftsmanship in the work. I went to the website and enrolled in the Photoshop Artistry course. Faithfully, I went through every lesson as I had recently purchased CS6 and was hungry for more knowledge. Not wanting to miss out on anything I also enrolled in the AWAKE Group and then the KAIZEN Group and then the recent Conceptual Fine Art Photo Artistry course. My heart is happy. I am home.
Q: Now that you’re working with digital art, where does your inspiration come from?
Sometimes I go looking for inspiration on a photo shoot with friends or when traveling with my husband. Nowadays, as long as I hold a camera in my hands my radar is fully engaged and my eyes scour the scenery searching for “Photoshopping fodder” as I like to call it.
Nature is one of my favorite inspirational resources. I live on the edge of a vibrant wetland so keeping my camera close at hand enables me to grab those fleeting wildlife shots. A fallen leaf, stately tree, desertscape, wilted flower all hold a special place in my heart.
Inspiration can happen anytime, anywhere however. Often my mind unexpectedly tunes into a word, shape, color, emotion, or dream and ideas simply arise in my awareness. The idea seems to float in front of my inner eye as a hint or suggestion, but occasionally as a fully formed piece of art.
Of growing concern to me is the world that my generation is leaving behind for the youth of today. Fortunately, all five of my grandchildren are willing models. Thanks to them I have a growing collection of pieces that focus on the environmental dilemma.
Q: How do you approach your compositions?
I generally begin with the main subject, often masking most of it away so that the majority of my opening file is blank. With a theme in mind, I then begin layering in bits and pieces from my other photos, various overlays and custom brushes I’ve made, elements of digital painting, and any other resources I feel the piece needs. Often, I think of compositing as creating an illusion much like a magician. For example, on one area of my blank canvas I can use leaves, twigs, and wood textures blended together to create the appearance of some essential element — say, a coat for my model — where there was none before. This challenge of getting everything to fit seamlessly together really appeals to my solution seeking mind but works best if I let go and follow my intuition.
I’ve learned not to be too attached when things are not working out and I’m getting frustrated. When completely unsatisfied, I’ve come to feel perfectly okay putting some or all of the piece into the trash and starting anew with a complete revamp or something else entirely. But when it all works … It is amazingly satisfying to begin with only an idea (or sometimes no idea at all) and over two or three days transform a blank canvas into an image imbued with beauty, emotion, even a message.
Q: How would you describe the benefits of living a “photo artistic life”?
Immersion in the photo artistic life has given my life purpose. Every morning before I even get out of bed, I focus on my options for the day . . . capturing and processing photos, creating resources, studying to hone my skills, or pulling it all together into a work of art. This journey is very personal and even therapeutic at times. The first pieces I made after my Mom passed on were tributes to her, and my emotions of love and loss easily flowed into them. If anything is troubling me it is helpful to express these deep feelings through my art. Sometimes I look at a piece and think, “Where did that come from?” When I take a deeper look I see that another part of myself has found its way into my work.
Another truly important benefit would have to be the wonderful friendships I’ve formed with fellow photographers and AWAKE artists, as well as all the supportive artists online in Sebastian Michaels’s various courses. Creating digital art is a highly solitary experience but these friendships provide much needed connections with people. This photo artistic life I’ve adopted is rich and full and I love it!
Q: Where do you go from here with your art?
There is no end to the evolution of my art. This belief keeps me pushing forward, experimenting and learning. I like variety and there is always some new technique to try. At times, I would like to be freer in my composition style, use even more suggestion and illusion, more free form painting.
Also, the need for balance is ingrained in my nature so I would dearly love to push this boundary and create at least one image where I don’t listen to this deep-seated inner voice. Mostly I appreciate balance but sometimes it gets in my way.
Engaging my grandchildren in more photo shoots where they have input into the topics is another goal. They are all so aware of the world around them and I feel that this collaboration would be a lot of fun and benefit all of us.
In January 2019 I decided to crawl out from my solitary creative space and put my art out there. I entered a handful of competitions and did very well which significantly boosted my confidence. I’ll do more of the same this year. I’m so very appreciative for the experience of being a featured artist in Living the Photo Artistic Life magazine. I never imagined when I first saw the magazine and signed up for courses with Sebastian Michaels that I would end up here.
Q: Any advice or tips for aspiring digital artists?
The most important thing really is to just practice. And keep practicing. And practice some more. I observe from the Photoshop classes that I teach to seniors that those who invest more time acquire the skills faster and therefore have more options available to them when creating an image. Knowledge is freedom in this respect.
And follow your own path. Everyone’s journey is unique to them depending on their interests and skills. Yours is perfect for you! Create art for yourself first and foremost. Some people may like your work, others may not. We all have different tastes after all. That said, sometimes I will use someone’s lack of interest or criticism of a piece as an opportunity to see if I can look at the image through their eyes, particularly if I’m not all that happy with it myself. This sometimes helps me to see something I could improve upon, so in the end their opinion might prove beneficial. I don’t take on every suggestion of course, only those that resonate with me.
But most of all — just have fun! It is an exciting and fulfilling ride!