Before we get started with the interview, some important information and links:
Save 20% on the entire Butterfly Wings Collection at Brush Dance
Cynthia Louden's Blog: A Shimmy in My Spirit
On a personal note: It was difficult to limit myself to just a few questions for Cynthia - and when I read the answers to the few that I asked (we did this in email), I found myself wanting to sit with her and chat for hours. I've known for years that Cynthia is diverse, multi-faceted, oh-so-talented, and really - she has done, seen, and experienced so much. Mmm..yeah, and she's a little bit geeky, too - that always gets bonus points in my book.
On to the interview . . .
Tell us about a day in your life. Do you schedule time for creating or is your schedule more free-flowing?
My most creative time is in the morning. I usually wake up with ideas and am eager to get to my computer, cameras and other creative tools. I would love to create every day, but some days are just filled with "to do" lists...the kinds of things you have to do as a free-lance artist - invoicing, shipping, answering emails etc. I try several days a month to set aside time to go out photographing and I photograph a lot when I travel. I'm also a gatherer of inspiration. I carry a camera and notebook just about everywhere I go so I can collect ideas, words, colors, music, texture...whatever inspires me.
My most creative time is in the morning. I usually wake up with ideas and am eager to get to my computer, cameras and other creative tools. I would love to create every day, but some days are just filled with "to do" lists...the kinds of things you have to do as a free-lance artist - invoicing, shipping, answering emails etc. I try several days a month to set aside time to go out photographing and I photograph a lot when I travel. I'm also a gatherer of inspiration. I carry a camera and notebook just about everywhere I go so I can collect ideas, words, colors, music, texture...whatever inspires me.
I know you love to travel. What was your most exciting trip? Where have you not been that you want to see? Where could you go over and over and never get enough?
I don't know how to take a vacation from my work. Traveling gives me a break from my daily routines and all those to do lists. Yet I always travel as an artist/photographer. I would feel naked not having a camera along on the trip. Gathering inspiration while traveling is a huge part of the fun for me. When traveling I'll get caught up with how light is hitting something or I'll stop to photograph color or texture on a wall, or a reflection in a window or will take a picture of my breakfast. My family and friends are used to it and just keep on doing what they're doing, knowing I'll soon catch up with them.
I would have to say that my most exciting trip was going on a small boat up the Amazon River in Brazil. It was so hot, and the jungle was so dense and there were snakes and scorpions, and caiman and piranha in the river. It was such a different geography and life from what I was used to. My senses were on overload. Everything I smelled, heard, touched, ate and saw was new to me. I was traveling by myself and I was literally trusting strangers who owned the boat with my safety and life. I am glad I had the experience. I have been fascinated with the tropics ever since. But I don't think I would want to do it again...not alone anyway. It may have been the most exciting trip, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I'm really more of a latte or glass of wine at an outdoor cafe kind of person. I think a lot of my favorite traveling moments have been in small towns, villages or neighborhoods watching the local life go by.
I have a long list of places I would still like to visit and photograph. Although I have visited England's small towns and country gardens, the only thing I have seen of London is Heathrow. I would love to spend time exploring London's neighborhoods. Also on my very long list is Venice, Holland, Costa Rica, & Montreal as well as return visits to France, Cuba, Panama and Switzerland. I would love to take tango lessons in Buenos Aires.
I think my favorite places to photograph, no matter what country or city are farmer's markets. I like to get there early so I can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the vendors arrange their products. And then the action begins. . .neighbors greet neighbors, buyers bargain with sellers, women stroll stall to stall filling up their market baskets. No matter where I’ve witnessed this scene - it feels like abundance. And there's so much to photograph and get inspired by.
I don't know how to take a vacation from my work. Traveling gives me a break from my daily routines and all those to do lists. Yet I always travel as an artist/photographer. I would feel naked not having a camera along on the trip. Gathering inspiration while traveling is a huge part of the fun for me. When traveling I'll get caught up with how light is hitting something or I'll stop to photograph color or texture on a wall, or a reflection in a window or will take a picture of my breakfast. My family and friends are used to it and just keep on doing what they're doing, knowing I'll soon catch up with them.
I would have to say that my most exciting trip was going on a small boat up the Amazon River in Brazil. It was so hot, and the jungle was so dense and there were snakes and scorpions, and caiman and piranha in the river. It was such a different geography and life from what I was used to. My senses were on overload. Everything I smelled, heard, touched, ate and saw was new to me. I was traveling by myself and I was literally trusting strangers who owned the boat with my safety and life. I am glad I had the experience. I have been fascinated with the tropics ever since. But I don't think I would want to do it again...not alone anyway. It may have been the most exciting trip, but it wasn't one of my favorites. I'm really more of a latte or glass of wine at an outdoor cafe kind of person. I think a lot of my favorite traveling moments have been in small towns, villages or neighborhoods watching the local life go by.
I have a long list of places I would still like to visit and photograph. Although I have visited England's small towns and country gardens, the only thing I have seen of London is Heathrow. I would love to spend time exploring London's neighborhoods. Also on my very long list is Venice, Holland, Costa Rica, & Montreal as well as return visits to France, Cuba, Panama and Switzerland. I would love to take tango lessons in Buenos Aires.
I think my favorite places to photograph, no matter what country or city are farmer's markets. I like to get there early so I can enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the vendors arrange their products. And then the action begins. . .neighbors greet neighbors, buyers bargain with sellers, women stroll stall to stall filling up their market baskets. No matter where I’ve witnessed this scene - it feels like abundance. And there's so much to photograph and get inspired by.
How long have you been keeping a Journal? Do you have any advice for someone just getting started with journaling?
I've kept various types of journals for many years. What works best for me is to carry around a small moleskine all the time to collect snippets of ideas, conversations, compositions, quotes and thoughts. I like gluing pictures into my journals and writing on them, especially my iPhone polaroids. I also write down ideas for my blog and web site. I am journaling less since I began my blog and miss it a lot. I am determined to get back to spending more time with my journals.
For someone just starting to keep a journal, I would suggest making the journal just for yourself - at least at first. If I know all of my notes and snippets are only for my eyes, I am much freer. If I think there is any chance I might be sharing it on my blog or with someone I begin to censor myself and my journaling becomes more controlled. It stops doing the work I need it to do and that's to be a safe place where I can dump good and bad ideas that I can sort through later.
I've kept various types of journals for many years. What works best for me is to carry around a small moleskine all the time to collect snippets of ideas, conversations, compositions, quotes and thoughts. I like gluing pictures into my journals and writing on them, especially my iPhone polaroids. I also write down ideas for my blog and web site. I am journaling less since I began my blog and miss it a lot. I am determined to get back to spending more time with my journals.
For someone just starting to keep a journal, I would suggest making the journal just for yourself - at least at first. If I know all of my notes and snippets are only for my eyes, I am much freer. If I think there is any chance I might be sharing it on my blog or with someone I begin to censor myself and my journaling becomes more controlled. It stops doing the work I need it to do and that's to be a safe place where I can dump good and bad ideas that I can sort through later.
That's it for today. Stop back next week for more of our interview with Cynthia.







