Interview with “Tammy of Daisy Yellow”

I am so excited that Tammy from Daisy Yellow, agreed to be interviewed here! I found Tammy almost a year ago via iHanna and then I kept stumbling upon her work at Flickr. Before I knew it, I had my first Blog Crush!!

See below for Tammy’s well thought out answers about her site, her style and her kid-focused Art. Also, some very good links!

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1. How long have you been blogging? Was Daisy Yellow your first blog?

Tammy: This is my first and only blog (Daisy Yellow) and I launched it Summer 2008.

2. It seems you have a theme with your blogging; with your challenges and quotes… Has this helped organize your site? I’m sure any tips here will be appreciated by new & old bloggers!

Tammy: I like having a bit of a framework. For example, the Creative Experiment Challenge and Art Journal Prompts are posted the first week of the month. All my posts have a quote and a photograph. I worked for many years in process redesign, so having a process, a structure, is natural. I usually have about 20-25 posts in various stages of completion, so there’s never a mad rush to post.

I would suggest that bloggers focus on content. Each one of you are a unique person in this world, so write about what interests you. Get a decent point-and-shoot camera so that you can post decent quality photos.

3. You mention rapidograph pens a lot. Please explain them to me and why are they so expensive?

Tammy: Rapidograph technical pens can be filled with India or fountain pen ink. You can switch out different sized nibs and inks. Quality fountain and technical pens are indeed expensive; they are of incredible technical precision. The ink flows consistently and smoothly, which you won’t find in the lesser quality pens.

4. I like how you get your kids involved in your projects. Love your “no rules” approach to creating with your kids. How have you seen this benefit your kids and your relationship with them?

Tammy: My approach was influenced by my kids’ Reggio Emilia inspired pre-school, where art experiences are central to the learning process. For example, the children’s art is documented with photographs and notes; hallways are lined with individual artwork (often different interpretations of a concept) rather than the cookie cutter art that you see in so many schools.

We spend time together doing art. For example, my 8 yr old is immersed in her 5th comic-book illustration. My 10 yr old is refining her fairy drawings and I’m drawing doodle-cityscapes. Even though we are all working on different things, the important thing is we are together. This has benefited my kids because they are very confident in their creativity and we talk about a lot of different creative ideas. It’s more fun and interactive than sitting at a soccer game, for sure.

5. I often go to Flickr for inspiration. Where do you go to get inspired?

Tammy: Inspiration is everywhere. Flickr is fabulous, for both photography and art. Carrying a camera engages me in a search for things to photograph. Like patterns, colors, lines, gardens, flowers, which has helped me become more mindful. Photography, design + art blogs are inspiring. And fabric!

Plus I listen to a few creative podcasts, such as The Creative Mom Podcast. I’ve written thoughts on developing creative ideas in Step #290 Creative Ideas.

6. Can you recommend any good books for people that want to get over a block or be inspired?

Tammy: Danny Gregory’s “The Creative License” is a wonderful place to start. For writers, definitely Anne Lamott’s “Bird by Bird”.

7. Have you taken any art classes? (on-line or real-time?)

Tammy: Just an evening watercolor course 20+ years ago!

8. Your mandala’s are always so beautiful, colorful, detailed and original. What is your favorite feature about them? Do you have an idea of where you want to take them?

Tammy: Thank you! I really enjoy the process drawing the entire mandala…..drawing lines, focusing on patterns as they come to life on paper.

9. Tell us about the camera you use. Do you take pictures everyday?

Tammy: My camera is a Nikon D90. My favorite lens is a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens. I take (too many) photographs every day, often in our garden.

10. Do you sell your art?

Tammy: I’ve considered it, but I don’t know what direction that will take.

11. How has your education influenced your art?

Tammy: My education is in Quantitative Analysis, which may have been a roadblock at first when I started drawing a few years ago. I wanted to be so precise. Gradually, I let that go.

12. If you could be an art supply, what would you be and why?

Tammy: What a fun question!!! I might be a set of watercolors in vivid colors!! What about you?

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Ahhhh, I would be pack of colorful markers like the ones your daughter is using!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all my questions. I’m sure others may have other questions for you and let me tell you, Tammy is very good about answering them!

You can find Tammy at the following places:

Daisy Yellow Site: Here

Flickr: gypsy999 Here

Twitter: gypsy999 Here