Layers Upon Layers: Mixed Media Art

Artist Profile: Corinne Stubson

by Cyndi on March 29th, 2007

Diamond in the Rough

Artist: Corinne Stubson
Location: Medford, Oregon
Website & Blog:
Glitz-Oh
Glitz-Oh Girl

Corinne, how do you describe your work?
My art is mixed media. My first and foremost love is working with books as art medium. I love to alter them, cut them up, carve and slice and dice them if needs be. I call them my book ’sculptures’. I also create beeswax collages, artist trading cards, collages, hand-bound journals, and my ‘Glitz-OH!’ earrings…which are made from fabric and wire and glass beads. I picked the name of my website and blog based upon the ‘glitzy’ character of the earrings I make. (I sell these mostly on commission.)

Glitz-OH earrings

What is your creative process like?
My ‘process’ is really more a spontaneous inspiration. My mind is continually churning with a variety of ideas for my art, and depending upon my ‘mood’, I will create based upon that. Color is usually what inspires me first..either color in nature, or any number of colorful visual stimuli. I do have a journal in which I jot ideas for my book sculptures. Since they cannot be created instantly, I keep the ideas written down for later reference. I will gather materials based upon what project I am working on…and then grab other items as I go (or if my artist muse changes her mind, which often happens. )…I do not do a lot of pre-planning, but do take time to work out any book ‘engineering issues’ with my book sculptures.I love classical music, and generally have our public radio station on, or one of many of my classical cd’s. But there are some days my art mind is so ‘busy’ that I prefer a quiet room. I will work some days for hours on end, hardly paying attention to the clock. If my physical energy levels are low, but my creative mood is high, I will portion out my time to be sure I am refreshed.

MMV Piano Hinge Book

What kind of training did you have which helped you achieve your current level of artistry.
I am what we generally call a ’self-taught’ artist. But I didn’t just teach myself…I did my first tempera painting and finger painting at about age 3-4. I learned my first handwork arts from my mother. She taught me to knit and crochet and sew and embroider when I was six years old. From there, I taught myself to sew on a machine and make my clothes. I moved into counted cross-stitch, and needlepoint and embroidery, in my 20’s, when our sons were born. I started work as a full-time nurse in my late 20’s, and continued to work with handcrafts in my spare time, as well as devote many, many hours to our garden (which I still do.)I created stained glass work (after taking one class) for about ten years, but sold everything I made and no longer do that. It wasn’t until I retired from nursing in the mid-90’s that I began an interest in the paper arts. My book art and current mixed media art life began in 2001. I have taken many many classes since then, from very talented artist of different media, and from there, have explored my own creative techniques and abilities. I take fewer classes now, and have been teaching my art to others…I love this progression of events!

A Window of Time

Is there a tool or material that you can’t imagine living without?
hmmm…only one? Books. I need books to create my art. And then - my cutting blade, adhesives, and paint or color ‘tool’ of some kind - I really cannot name just one. :))

What inspires you to create?
I’m inspired most ,as I said earlier, by color. But I am also inspired by other artists - both past and present. I love to go to museums and art galleries - my visual ‘orgy’, as I call it.

Not Your Everyday Type

What inspires you to keep going when the work gets frustrating or tough?
My garden, and the music my husband creates as a classical violinist. As I am also a ‘garden’ artist, when my mixed media art is at a blocking point, I go work in my garden…getting my hands in the dirt, pulling weeds, watching the koi in the pond - all these things refresh my mind and clear my spirit - and then I’m ready to create more art. Our garden has something all year long to keep me refreshed- even snow in winter will do it for me. :)) Likewise, going to a concert, or listening to the violin will put me at peace.

What is your best piece of advice for those who would like to rise in their level of artistry?
Be patient, and follow your own heart in your artistic creations. It is good to receive constructive comments and ‘pointers’, but I do not create art to please other people. I’m thrilled that it does!!!, mind you, but my creations simply pour forth out of my brain and heart and into the media I’m working with. Learning to honor the inner critic, without bowing to it, is an ongoing process. One other thing…don’t be afraid to share your art with others, once your have created it…seek out local galleries, art stores, newspapers and online venues, in which to share. Taking the plunge to put yourself personally out amongst others will have its rewards. For me, having a website and blog, and belonging to a variety of online art groups, are what have allowed me to share my art with a very wide artistic world. I love being known locally as a book artist, but to be able to carry my art to other geographic areas has been a joy, and a privilege, for me.

The Measure of Failure

What takes up the majority of your time besides your art?
My garden, and helping my 94-year-old mom, who lives independently, but needs a certain level of attention, which I am also privileged to give. Because our sons are grown, and the grandchildren live far away, I do spend a great deal of time on my art. I also try to take walks, go to the ocean when time permits , (a 3-hour drive from Medford), and love going to classical concerts, and am an avid reader. We have a symphony orchestra, chamber music series, and all sorts of cultural outlets in our valley.

What are some of your other favorite things, Corinne?
Chocolate!!!- hands down, it’s chocolate! But I only eat 2 squares of very dark chocolate a day, as my dietary regimen to lower cholesterol won’t allow more…bummer, huh? My favorite color is any shade of purple. There are just too many good books to name my favorite…

Corinne’s class (Corinne is in the center back)

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POSTED IN: Artist Profiles, Book Arts, Business tips, Collage, Creativity, Fabric & Fiber, Journals, Mixed Media, Paper