In this episode, I sit down with Canadian multi-disciplinary artist, Monique Francis who is such a delight! Monique is warm, funny, gentle, contemplative, reverent, kind and incredibly inspiring to me. In this conversation, we talk about: Monique's life long love of being creativeHer love for printmaking, fiber arts, weaving, knitting, crochet, painting and mixed media playMaking natural inks and casein paints because they are ancient and fascinating to her Her love for research and how that enriches her creative workFollowing creative fascinations to see where they take usReflections on creative identities and the language we choose to use to define ourselves with like artist, artisan, maker or crafter and how she aspires to be a guild level artisan or craftspersonHow art and craft feel different to each of us Her background as a counselor and retreat leader and her natural desire to care and support othersHer life as a disabled person with impaired vision and how that impacts her need for community and how it affects her art making practices and the ways she sees color and shapeHer love of creating soft, quiet creative spaces for people to make art together that she calls parallel play sessions.We also talk about community art projects she has created including a Little Free Art Gallery outside her home in Vancouver, Canada Her love of words and how certain ones have particular flavors and feelings that they give her like "button" which makes her so happy and made us both laugh when we each said it!Her creative dream to make create an online artist residency + retreat for disabled, house bound artists like her to offer support, resources and space to connect and create together. Monique shares some pieces of art she has made with a fascinating painting process that involves an ink resist process using India ink and natural paints she makes that is similar to the gouache wash technique. She shares a piece she made inspired by the German painter artist, Gabriele Munter. She is deeply inspired by Hildegard of Bingen, a German abbess and polymath who lived from 1098-1179. Follow Monique Francis on Instagram @monique__makes Monique's website: www.moniquefrancis.com Emma Freeman, the host of The Exuberant Artist Podcast, is a multi-disciplinary artist, writer and teaching artist in Wisconsin. She has a contemplative, joyful approach to art making and loves working with repurposed materials including textiles, fibers, and old books she turns into art journals. She draws, paints, stitches by hand, writes every day, explores printmaking with nature and wearable art. She loves the intersections of creativity, philosophy, mindfulness, self-care, mental health, storytelling and community care through art making practices. Emma teaches classes and retreats online and in person and runs an online art community called, "Cut From the Same Cloth." Emma is also a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), sober and animal lover. Emma's website: www.emmafreemanart.com Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmafreemanartist Emma's YouTube Channel with video versions of some podcast episodes and art sharing stories and demos!
