Two things. Firstly, this post is a long time coming. Secondly, winter is almost over. Better late than never? Long time followers know that I hardly believe that, but have gotten very good at it. Life. What can I say? Hashtag no excuses.
SO! Hi. How ya doin’? Very good, I hope. It’s been a super long time since I’ve posted anything art or app related but I’m excited to say that I have a new Mextures formula post coming this week, and I’m also very excited to have finally jumped on board the VSCO train. Hence, this post in particular.
VSCO is one of the original filter apps (at least for iPhone, I know nothing about Android devices and can not lie). It’s been around a while – almost as long as Instagram, I believe. It’s also been insanely popular for a while. I’ve had the app since it was released but at the time I had an infant and I had ZERO time. To be honest, I never really utilized the app when I DID have time. I only started halfway using it when the Journal feature became available and even that was so clumsy to use at the time that it was originally added in that I tired of it quickly. Now, here it is a few years later, and here I finally am, actually using the app to a more full extent.
In the spirit of my “honeymoon stage” with this app I’ve decided to share some of the filters I’ve created and saved for myself with it, because FILTERS. Admittedly, even with Mextures I don’t “over edit” my images. I tend to have a light hand, if you will, when it comes to that stuff. I generally get mildly uncomfortable, especially with the grungy effects, when editing my photos. It’s not that I pride myself on my images too much – I think the majority of them could be far better than they are based on what my mind wanted them to look like compared to what they actually look like. Nonetheless I am extremely fond of a nice fade and/or a muted or even darkened tone to my images, and that’s why I’ve come to enjoy VSCO as of late. Mextures will likely always be my preferred and go to editing app – my favorite. But VSCO has a lot to offer, too, including a fresh new perspective for me of images old and new. And, it works nicely in conjunction with Mextures I think.
So, here is my first preset share from VSCO, with a sample of images that have been edited with the preset. I hope you’ll enjoy it, and I hope you’re having a lovely winter.
I have been hoarding Mextures formulas again, as I’ve spent most of winter messing around with the app but I’ve not shared much in the way of the creations or the formulas for a while. Hope you’ll forgive my selfishness as I’ve dealt with “winter stuffs.” It’s been quite a winter – warm on the outside, bitter cold and frightening on the inside. I digress…
Alas, here we are moving into spring and here are some of those formulas. Hope you’ll enjoy them.
**Please remember that blend modes of layers (and the layers themselves) may require tweaking depending on the light/style/tone of your image and they will not necessarily look exactly the same on your images as they do in the provided versions.**
If you have any questions about Mextures or using formulas, feel free to ask them in comments or via e-mail or social media/messaging.
Have a lovely day out there.
Art on, friends.
**The four following images were used with permission, via Unsplash’s free use image gallery**
Mextures Formula: NAXJIHC
Mextures Formula: BNWWATN
Mextures Formula: XRVSQLB
Mextures Formula: TCYTFKH
And here is one more, for good measure as we head into spring (from my own gallery)…
Hi hi hi… Mextures formulas episode 10 has been a long time coming, hasn’t it? I wanted to get some shots that were crosses between fall and winter, because that’s the mood I’ve been in since December. I just can’t quite go full on into winter this year. I keep wanting to hold on to what warmth is left of fall…and the likelihood is that I’ll be jumping into spring about a month early, too. ((giggle)) It’s not like winter’s made it easy to go into winter mode this year, with it’s fantastically warm temperatures and tricks of the plants, who seem to be even more confused than I am. I’ve had several almost bloom and then die back, some more than once, this winter.
As always, I hope you enjoy these formulas (one of the images below uses the same formula as another image, so take note). Please remember that blend modes of layers (and the layers themselves) may require tweaking depending on the light/style/tone of your image and they will not necessarily look exactly the same on your images as they do in the provided versions.
If you have any questions about Mextures or using formulas, feel free to ask them in comments or via e-mail or social media/messaging. Enjoy!!
Formula Name – Swamped Formula Code – GFXBBNU Formula Name – Weird Days Formula Code – EGNZHHQ
Formula Name – Swamped Formula Code – GFXBBNU
Formula Name – Weird Days (Warm)(Catacosmic™) Formula Code – XNHZMFX
Formula Name – Vines (Warm)(Catacosmic™) Formula Code – WUCBUCV
Welcome to Mextures formulas from my personal collection, blogisode #9!
As always, I hope you enjoy these formulas. Please remember that blend modes of layers (and the layers themselves) may require tweaking depending on the light/style/tone of your image and they will not necessarily look exactly the same on your images as they do in the provided versions.
If you have any questions about Mextures or using formulas, feel free to ask them in comments or via e-mail or social media/messaging. Enjoy!!
(Fall Meets Winter, Original)
Formula Code: PDZGDZK
Today is a two-for, apparently! ((smile)) I’ve just done so much with Mextures since the summer and been so busy (or low) that I haven’t shared these. With that, behold! ((laugh)) Mextures formulas from my personal collection, blogisode #8.
As always, I hope you enjoy these formulas. Please remember that blend modes of layers (and the layers themselves) may require tweaking depending on the light/style/tone of your image and they will not necessarily look exactly the same on your images as they do in the provided versions.
If you have any questions about Mextures or using formulas, feel free to ask them in comments or via e-mail or social media/messaging. Enjoy!!
Formula Code: YPFCMIH Formula Code: WKXIEMT Formula Code: ITHPTDT
Mextures formulas from my personal collection, blogisode #7.
As always, I hope you enjoy these formulas. Please remember that blend modes of layers (and the layers themselves) may require tweaking depending on the light/style/tone of your image and they will not necessarily look exactly the same on your images as they do in the provided versions.
If you have any questions about Mextures or using formulas, feel free to ask them in comments or via e-mail or social media/messaging. Enjoy!!
Good hello, everyone. Welcome to today’s Mextures artist feature! Today we’re going to get to know a little more about the very talented Instagram/Mextures artist @cokejube (Corinna). Corinna’s Instagram gallery is a beautiful blend of fantasy and reality, created from her incredible shots of everything from nature to city walks to still life and even minimalist work. I hope you’ll enjoy her work and getting to know her as much as I have, and as always, thanks for supporting the artists and these articles about them.
Getting to know @cokejube
Hi, @cokejube! Thanks for being a part of this series with us. Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do?
Hello! My name is Corinna. I live with my son Noah Ben and our dog Moody in a small town in Mecklenburg, Germany. I am 47 years old and my son just turned 15 years old. My son is in high school and wants to study psychology after. Unfortunately, I can not currently go to work because I am sick. I used to work as a secretary for many years.
How did you get involved with Instagram and Mextures?
I got involved with Instagram with my son about two years ago. For several years I have painted and taken a lot of photos. He told me that I could present my photos and pictures at Instagram.I was immediately very interested and excited. At that time I had an iPhone 4 and bought some apps. I was immediately thrilled by Mextures, Stackables and DistressedFX.
Three of my go-to apps, also! You are so talented with all of them, and with art in general. Have you always been interested in art and photography?
As a child I was very much interested in art. As a little girl I was given a simple camera. I was very happy, photographing flowers and animals from a farm. I was quiet and introverted as a child, and found such an expression in art. It has made me very happy. Today I am shooting for the same reasons. I love photography. I like being in nature in any weather. With my son and our dog we are always looking for something to photograph.
I love plants, flowers, landscapes and buildings to photograph. I want to capture my images so that each subject is made special, even the wilted plant or weed. I would like to convey emotions and moods. Mostly, I used to do some apps like Mextures, Stackables, or Icolorcama to achieve this. Thus I create my pictures according to my ideas and fantasies. Sometimes they are unreal, or enchanted. But always a part of me, my ideas, and my dreams. Instagram has an overwhelming community with whom I can share my images and edits.
I think we can all feel your personality and emotions in your work. You are so good at that, and your work is so relatable to the ideas, dreams, or emotions of so many others. What role does the community on Instagram and Mextures play in your life now?
In general, the art and IG community plays a big role in my life. Art is as a vacation and recreation for my eye. From this I draw strength and inspiration. Very inspiring for me, are Franz Marc, Klimt, Vermeer, Munch, Oudry, and many many other great artists.
What are your favorite subjects?
My favorite subjects in my photography are minimalist image, architecture, and nature, especially flowers.
How has Instagram, creating and sharing your art there, changed or inspired you? What memorable responses have you had to your work there?
Instagram told me to look at the world. I have seen so many pictures from around the world, and met so many fabulous artists from all continents! I never expected much positive response. I get so much praise and recognition for my work on Instagram, I never expect. I am overwhelmed again and again, every day, by the magic and love in the comments and friends, and I am very grateful.
Yes, there is so much love in the Instagram community. What is something you love, and why?
I love the silence, the peace and the quiet seclusion of a resort, the sea. Then I think, draw strength, recover, get new energy for every day life.
I think far too many of us forget, or feel that we can’t do that. We don’t take the time. My father always told me to take time for myself, to do just what you’ve said, and that it was very important. I think that’s probably the best advice I’ve followed lately. What is the best advice you’ve been given or would give to others?
The most important thing I’ve learned is always, within oneself, to listen – to my gut feeling and not only what is in the head. It must keep in balance. Do not immediately say “yes,” think it over.
Very wise, and good advice, indeed. Something else I think many of us forget many times. One last question, Corinna – if you could have a super power what would it be?
Oh, I would have no superpower. I have a dream. I want to travel with my camera all over the world and take pictures. For example, I want to see and take pictures of Ireland, Greenland, Norway, and the Galapagos Islands!
That is a fabulous dream, and I hope it soon comes true for you! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me – I know it was a bit of a challenge because of the language barrier but we’re all so grateful to get to know you better and continue seeing your beautiful art.
I thank you for your questions and interest, and all the Instagram community!
Mextures formulas from my personal collection, blogisode #6.
As always, I hope you enjoy these formulas. Please remember that blend modes of layers (and the layers themselves) may require tweaking depending on the light/style/tone of your image and they will not necessarily look exactly the same on your images as they do in the provided versions.
If you have any questions about Mextures or using formulas, feel free to ask them in comments or via e-mail or social media/messaging.
Hi, friends. Welcome to the latest Mextures Artist Feature article!
The article today will have a bit of a different layout – instead of selecting a gallery of images and formulas to share with you, I have asked our guest to share with me some of his favorite images and formulas from his gallery. I want to give our guests full control over their articles, as the articles are meant to highlight them and their favorite works. So, henceforth the layout will be done in a way where the artist’s selected images and formulas will be spread throughout the article. I hope you’ll enjoy this layout and format.
Today we’re getting to know a wonderful Mextures artist named Matt (@marbleinthedust on Instagram) and our chat was so inclusive I’m just going to jump right to it without much of my own “artist introduction” this time! Hope you’ll enjoy, and be sure to visit Matt’s Instagram page and show him some love and support!
Getting to know @marbleinthedust
Hi there! Who is the guy behind @marbleinthedust? Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi. My name is Matt. I’m 33 and from Boston, MA. When I was in high school I found a box full of photos my Dad had taken when he was younger and I was fascinated. I bought a camera, started shooting, and haven’t looked back since.
Mextures Formula Code: AQTLBHMHow neat! What did you start shooting with?
My first camera was a Vivitar V4000 that I used well through college. The iPhone was really a game changer for me, with the ability to easily snap a photo pretty much anywhere. I also have a Nikon D3300 that I use when I shoot.
That Nikon’s gotta be heavy! I bet the iPhone comes in handy even on “regular shoots,” doesn’t it? It does for me, at least. Hahaha!
Oh yeah! I definitely use my phone even when the Nikon is hanging from my neck. I bought something called InstaLens, which are lens attachments for the iPhone. I have a wide angle/macro combo lens and a fisheye lens. So I am always taking those out to see what they can do.
How do you like those? I have a couple different versions and variations but mostly they leave a lot of distortion around the edges of the images!
My only complaint is that the magnet you use to attach the lens is slightly larger than my case, so I can’t put a case on my phone anymore. But that’s a small problem for the fun that comes with it.
Yes, I just received the Olloclip and that’s my only complaint with it – no “true” case on the phone. I’m very susceptible to destroying phones by simply looking at them. Walking around with one without a case is kind of, well, a stupid thing for me to do. Hahahah!
Now that we know how you got into photography and what you like to shoot with, tell us a little about your style. What styles and subjects do you prefer? Do you find yourself doing more with a certain style/subject or being drawn to all sorts of photography for your own work?
I almost exclusively shoot nature shots. I have a thing for trees, especially. I like most subjects though. Most of my shots are trees, sunsets or mountains and lakes.
Mextures Formula Code: KLRPWIZThat’s one of my favorite hashtags – #ihavethisthingfortrees. Nature is such an amazing and inspiring subject – many subjects within a subject, really. What inspires you the most for your work?
I think it’s a combination of two things. The first would have to be all of the talented artists I have discovered since I jumped into the Instagram community back in June (I had a private account for years where I would share the randomness with my friends, but @marbleinthedust as a public expression of art was a new concept to me). I was blown away by the amount of skill and creativity tucked away in the corners of Instagram.
Secondly, taking more pictures has inspired me to keep taking more pictures, if that makes sense. Not only because it’s fun, but also because I have my eyes open constantly, looking for the next shot. I’ve noticed that in the last year or so I have increasingly taken the time to study the clouds, or the way a tree is blowing in the breeze. It’s amazing how much natural beauty is around us when you stop to appreciate it.
Yes, it makes perfect sense. I operate under the philosophy that photography is almost a spiritual experience for me. It allows me the privilege of really connecting with what is around me, and with myself at the same time. To be connected, especially with nature, as you’re saying – noticing the clouds and studying them more, or the trees in the breeze, or for me it’s the tiny details of nature that so often go unnoticed like the tiny insect crawling on the flower or the finest elements of that flower – that definitely keeps me living more in the now and keeps my mind in a healthier place.
You mentioned the Instagram community and how it’s inspired you – how did you first get involved with Instagram?
I actually remember exactly how it happened: 192 weeks ago (I just went back and looked, haha) I was at brunch with my friend Sam and he was talking about Instagram. I had yet to sign up and he convinced me on the spot. My first post was an off centered picture of my meal, with an Instagram filter and one of the giant white frames.
Haha! I remember the frames! Was it a good meal?
Haha yeah it was definitely a good meal. The Bloody Mary’s were great, too.
Oh! Don’t tempt me! I’ve had a crazy day and a drink would be excellent right about now! Hahaha!
So, how did Instagram evolve for you to become a place of true artistic expression?
I had been editing pictures on the iPhone for a couple of years. Someone had shown me Camera+ and I had been using that for a long time, but I wanted more from the filters than it offered. I searched for the best photo editing apps and stumbled across Mextures.
Life changing, wasn’t it!?
Oh yeah, totally was. Haha!
I keep telling people!! They look at me like I’m insane until they try it out.
I just got my Dad to download it, but he’s in Florida so I think he might be waiting for me to give him a tutorial. Haha!
Mextures Formula Code: WGVUHIDAt first, Mextures was intimidating. But, I eventually got the hang of it. I had been using it for a while before I took the time to read the “News” section. That’s where I discovered just how large the community really was. They always suggest to share your edits, so I figured, “might as well.” I made a new account and started posting pics.
That’s great! I thought I was going to be a total FAIL with the Mextures app when I first started using it. The truth was that I just needed a little patience and to realize that the whole point of the app is to create. Unlike other “filter” apps, where you just change the image with one tap, Mextures is filled with, for lack of a better word, power. The point is to give you control of what you create, as much control as possible, and that in itself should be something that I was really immersing myself in with my pieces. Once I realized it wasn’t your normal “filter” app, that it was a true tool, I slowed down and really immersed myself in it and thus in my art. It was a totally life changing experience for me in my little art world. It’s just such a different, amazing tool.
Yeah, I look at my Mextures “skills” from back then versus now and I have evolved for sure. You’re totally right about the control it gives you. I don’t know any other apps that work quite on the same level as Mextures. So versatile, too.
Definitely! Speaking of sharing your edits, do you share your formulas as well?
Yes, I share all my formulas. I’ll be happy to give you a bunch of my favorites.
That’d be excellent!!
How has Mextures helped you to grow and expand as an artist? What looks/styles do you find yourself gravitating to as you use the app?
It’s helped me grow to the point where I think “can’t wait to throw that one in Mextures,” like the second I take the picture. I even find myself looking for shots that I know would work great with the app, especially foggy days.
Oh yes! Foggy days are one of my new favorite obsessions – especially in the woods, with those trees we were talking about earlier. Haha!
Yes. Haha! For the other part of that question – I find myself working with two different styles when I use the app. Ones that I have dubbed “color bombs” – just massive amounts of colors and textures and saturation, and then unfiltered looking pictures that have more subtle enhancements like adding more light or balancing contrast a bit to make a cleaner shot.
I am really enjoying the faded looks myself. I love the contrast of shadows and the looks that can be achieved with the new packs, too.
I love the faded looks. There are some feeds that pretty much always post with a little fade and it looks great. I don’t use it too much because I feel like it doesn’t compliment my style. I have debated starting a separate account that almost always uses fade.
Mextures Formula Code: CILQWFHI did that recently with my black and white work, as I had several Instagrammers explain to me that black and white is such a beautiful style all it’s own – a genre, really – and I don’t shoot it as much as color (or edit it, for that matter) so they suggested that I do a separate account so that the black and whites wouldn’t get lost in a sea of color on my main account. I love how it’s turned out aesthetically and otherwise. I’ve connected with a lot of black and white only artists since doing that and learned tons from them.
I’ve done a couple black and white edits using Mextures. I used to exclusively shoot black and white when I was younger. I was fascinated by the depth you could pull out of a colorful scene using black and white film. Like you, I would need a separate feed to make sure they didn’t get washed away in my color.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given regarding your art/art in general? What memorable responses have you had to your work via Instagram as a community?
Being told to “shoot what you like” was very helpful advice. Same goes for editing styles. It gets tough when you’re posting to a public forum sometimes. It’s easy to get caught up in the, “well, my last post was this style and it got a ton of likes,” game. Being told not to think about that stuff and just post the work you’re proud of without trying to cater to a specific audience was extremely helpful advice.
My parents are super supportive and they always say stuff encouraging me. I’ve shown people my feed for the first time and gotten the, “whoa, this is you!??” That always feel great. And, I’ve made some Instagram friends that are always very supportive. The best compliments, though, are those where someone comments on a subtle shadow or light or something, because that means they actually looked at your picture for more time than it takes to do a double tap while you scroll through your feed. And, when people comment that they like a formula I shared, that’s always a great compliment, too.
But, I think the biggest compliment for me is when someone tags someone else in the comments section. To me, when someone appreciates what I’ve done to the point that they want someone else to see it, too, that the ultimate compliment.
Mextures Formula Code: HIFETDHYes, that’s been one of my most useful attitudes about posting in a public forum, that really started way back in the deviantART days. I don’t know if I have been lucky or just grown to be more self confident but I originally post my work for me – because I want to share it. If it’s something that reaches others, which it’s bound to do in SOME way because that’s what art is about in the first place, then it’s just icing on the cake for me. I want my work to reach people once I share it – to speak to them, to connect them with each other and with me…but I am on Instagram, first and foremost, to share myself through my art and my writing. I’m very transparent in that way, and always have been.
So, as you say, being encouraged to remain true to your cause, so to speak – to remain “as I am” in my sharing, sharing what I want and what I love, is absolutely encouraging. I’m not there to complete. I’m there to be me, to grow, to learn, and to build relationships with amazing artists and friends. It’s fabulous, all in all.
Yes! Very well said, I feel the same way. Although, I do take it personally when my favorite posts totally flop. Haha!
Yes! As do I. It’s kind of a blow when something that you love and means so much to you doesn’t get the response you hope it will. For me, that’s feeling like I’ve failed in the way of inspiring others with my work or my expression. Not so much that they didn’t like the piece – because if I liked the piece that’s most important to me, or I wouldn’t have shared it. But, it’s that I feel like I didn’t put enough into it that they could take something away from it, or bring out with my writing what might be hiding in the piece…
When I feel like they couldn’t find anything to take away from it for themselves, I feel like I’ve failed as an artist and as a human. It becomes even more personal, then. It’s definitely a fine line between posting for myself and hoping it inspires many once I have shared it.
Oh, and I love that feeling as an artist when someone is so inspired or encouraged by your art that they tag someone else to make sure they see it, usually because they know the person they tag will relate to it, as well. It’s like this feeling of true connection at such a cosmic…deeper or higher?…level, a more collective consciousness type thing rather than cliques and groups of general friends.
Haha! Yeah, you’re on point! It’s a cool feeling to know that someone connected with something you’ve created to the level that they wanted to show someone else. To inspire people like that is really what it’s all about. Not just in photography, but life in general.
Yes! Exactly!!
Ok, so, do you have any professional plans or goals for your art/work? Do you have any dream projects?
No, I don’t really have any big plans for my photography. It would be super cool to do a blog series where I toured a bunch of breweries and then paired the experience with photos I took and reviews of the places/beers.
Mextures Formula Code: RHLGKQVThat would be insanely awesome and interesting! I think you should totally pursue that!
Or, to tour with Phish as their staff photographer…but they already have a couple of those.
Oh wow – that’s pretty ambitious! But you never know, Matt! You’re really fabulous. Don’t give up on that idea!
Haha! I would just need to learn how to photograph food for the brewery idea.
Always learning! Right?
Thank you! I’m a little ways away from that level still. Hahaha!
What couldn’t you do without regarding your art, besides your camera(s)?
Music, for sure. I never really played an instrument (trombone for a few years) but music is such an important part of my life. There’s songs and genres for every mood and occasion. I listen to music when I edit a bunch of the time. And it always works its way into my edit, whether just in the title of the formula or inspiring colors and textures. That probably sounds insane. Hahaha!
No and yes! No, not at all insane, and YES because I so deeply relate to that. I’m a HUGE music person. I play a few instruments (not regularly, not anymore) but I literally ALWAYS have music playing, no matter what I’m doing, even when I’m shooting and ESPECIALLY when I’m editing. It inspires my work in exactly the ways you described. It’s almost like medicine for me. It inspires me, heals me…it’s like a tonic in so many ways. And, I’m a person who hears and feels music down into my bones. Literally. THAT probably sounds insane if anything does! Hahaha!
No, that doesn’t sound insane at all to me! I truly get it. I’m the same.
Was that the only thing you couldn’t do without regarding your art?
Oh, no – more importantly is Mextures. And, some of the other iPhone apps I use. I have never posted something on my feed that I didn’t wash through Mextures. I’ve also dabbled with Union App, Matter App, Alien Sky, and a few others. Sometimes I end up with something that looks kind of plain and being able to use some of those apps to bring out more creativity is such a great thing to have in your hand.
Mextures Formula Code: GFBVBFKAgreed – couldn’t do without Mextures at this point. Not because the photos aren’t good without the edits, necessarily, but because the edits help to bring out so much more of what I want to express in the original image.
I’m not great with the more advanced masking apps like Union, myself, but then that’s not my style as a general rule. I love the edits I see others doing with those apps, though. And sometimes I do wish I could get myself to spend some time with them and get to know them a little better.
Oh, last question – my favorite. If you could have any superpower, what would you choose and why?
Oh, wow!
Yeah – that’s why I love this question.
I think I have to go with telekinesis – being able to move stuff with my mind. I think it would be fun to take a “hands free” approach to life when needed. Also, I would be able to levitate myself to get those hard to reach shots.
Absolutely! That would be a fabulous superpower as an artist. It would totally give you the ability to get those awesome in-air shots without having to spend the money on those camera drone deals that are around these days. Hahaha! Love it!
Hahaha! Yeah, or without having to rent a helicopter.
Yes! Exactly!
Well, Matt, this has been a great chat. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, as an artist and as a person, better. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me for this series!
You’re welcome! I’m flattered to have been asked. It was a fun experience for me, too!
It’s Monday and that means it’s time for another Mextures artist feature. Sorry this one is coming to you so late – it’s been one hell of a weekend in my world and I’ve only just had a moment to sit down and write it up for you. Today we’re featuring @joannakatd, an amazing Mextures artist and photographer whose gallery focuses around nature and landscape photography. I hope you’ll enjoy our interview and her beautiful art! As always, thank you for visiting the blog and don’t forget to visit Joanna’s Instagram gallery (@joannakatd) and show her your love and support!
Getting to know @joannakatd
So, to start off, who are you?
I am Joanna, I just turned 42, I go by joannakatd on Instagram as my middle name is Katherine, and d is the initial of my last name. I was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and I don’t think I could live anywhere else. I’ve tried, moving to Northern Manitoba in my early 20s but after 2 years I came right back. I’m also a moderator for 3 hubs on Instagram. @mellow_mextures @cloudzdelight and most recently @macro_mextures. It keeps me busy in my spare time!
Canada is such a beautiful place! I hope to visit someday… Modding on IG is a fun thing to do in your spare time. What is your “job?”
I’m a cataloguer for books of public libraries. I’ve always loved books, and I used to write poetry daily. If I come across any photography book, or poetry book at work, my productivity really slows down as I look deeply at the art, or read the poems. In my spare time I edit photos I’ve taken on the weekend, or I look for things around the house to photograph and then to edit. I think I love the editing process as much as I love collecting the photos. Collecting the photos is always an adventure we have as a family. We usually go for drives on the weekends outside the city or to parks inside the city. It always turns out to be a memorable time for all of us as we go about exploring.
Books. I’m a bibliophile, myself… How did you get involved with Instagram?
I’m not sure how I discovered the app, but I remember one day about 4 years ago being out for coffee with my brother and telling him about it. I was so excited that it was an easy way to connect with people through pictures. I’ve never been into Facebook, so this was perfect for me! I especially loved the filters and the way they turned my photos into something much more interesting. I had no idea about hashtags back then!
Facebook never worked well for me for photos, and then I just finally tired of it. It’s so much drama and junk…I find that Instagram is much less silly and much more inspiring. How did you get involved with Mextures?
I think what changed everything for me was one day searching through Instagram and coming across a photo that had what looked like brush strokes on it, as if it had been painted. Someone asked what app was used, and the answer was Stackables App. I immediately downloaded the app, and my photos then became transformed. Soon after I discovered Mextures. It took me awhile to really grasp it and all it had to offer, but as soon as I did, I was hooked. I edit most of my photos with Mextures now.
I LOVE Stackables – I enjoy mixing Stackables and Mextures together, myself! What is it that keeps you interested in Instagram and Mextures/Photography?
I guess what keeps me interested in Instagram and Mextures/Photography is my goal of one daily post. 4 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with a not so nice disease (begins with the letter C) and my way of coping is to focus on one photo a day, to look for the beauty in life and to share it. I’ve always been a very private person, so to share my photography and edits with so many people was at first scary! But now I know that it is such a blessing! And the encouragement and support I get from Instagram is incredible.
Oh no – not another mention of the C word!! In seriousness, it’s wonderful that you found a release and process through your art. I think that’s a very important aspect of coping with any sort of hard part in life, so I’m super glad you chose to share in the way you did! What’s your background in photography – when/how did you start out and get to where you are now?
Honestly, I don’t really have a background in photography. I know I’ve always been drawn to it, I’ve always loved looking at it. While at college, in front of a computer at a lecture, I only wanted to look at wonderful photographs so I’d Google whatever I could think of (usually some sort of animal) – long before Instagram existed. Instagram was a real game changer for me 12 years later. I started with suggestions of photo-a-day themes, but I soon found that to be much too forced. Once I found these editing apps, everything changed. I found that nature photography was for me. Mextures enhanced the beauty. Images I saw on Instagram were so inspiring and I’ve learned so much through them.
How has your practice with art/photography changed over time?
I think my photography can only get better as I keep learning every day from such wonderful artists on Instagram. Living in Alberta I have such amazing landscapes to photograph. There’s the mountains to the West, the prairies to the East, and the foothills to the South.
What do you enjoy the most about your art/photography?
What I enjoy most about my photography is going for our weekend country drives to get photographs as a family. Because of Instagram, it motivates us to get out and search for beautiful things and in the process it’s giving us all wonderful memories. As an example, we were driving down a country road and I saw some wonderful old barns. I had my husband turn around and we drove right into the old property. My kids complained and moaned, ‘do you HAVE to take pictures of this??’ Yes, I do. We all got out to explore and it turned out to be one of my kids favorite times ever. Searching abandoned chicken coops and running to the silos to find grain, then running all over to ‘plant’ that grain. Eating it, my son trying to spit it out the car window only to have the wind splatter it all over his face…. We laughed so hard! (If only I’d got a picture of that!) One of my photos from that day was featured on @rsa_rural.
I love that! My son loves taking photos (probably because he grew up around people who were constantly taking photos) and we often do the same. Can’t say that I can get anyone else in my house into it but my son and I have a blast sharing the hobby. It’s interesting to see the difference in themes from his photos compared to mine. What themes do you pursue?
I love landscapes – mountains especially because I’m always in awe of them, but what I would love to get more into is macro. I always love galleries with macro shots. They’re always so elegant looking.
What inspires you the most (anything – from music to food to people to places to anything that you find inspiration from)?
What inspires me most is all the amazing artists on Instagram. I’ve learned so much from them through this app and the artists who use mextures to transform their photos into works of art. I’m always so impressed with the creativity and it always pushes me to try harder, to go further with a formula, or an edit.
Agreed – it’s hard NOT to be inspired by that amazing artists and art in the Instagram community! In fact, you are one of those inspiring artists for so many! What is your dream project?
Since I have a lot of poems collecting dust in their books in a box in my closet, my dream would be to one day pair those poems with images and create some sort of photo book.
That sounds like a brilliant project. I did a similar project years ago, just for myself and not to sell, and it was very healing for me during that time. Do you have any professional goals with your art?
No, this is all for pleasure, something I just love doing.
Same here! I used to try to grow it into this “professional” thing, mostly because people would always tell me how well I would do, but I never did well with it. I finally realized that the reason was that my heart was in the art itself, not the business of it, and so I just continued on as my heart wished – to enjoy myself and the art. What couldn’t you do without regarding your art?
I couldn’t do without the constant support I get from all the wonderful friends I’ve met on Instagram. They feed me, they give me confidence, and motivation and inspiration. The community here is incredible.
I couldn’t either, come to think of it! And finally, for a fun ending to our chat, if you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
I would love to have super human strength. That way if my car was ever stuck in slush in the winter, I could just pick it up and move it. Or it would be super easy to vacuum under couches, or beds, or dressers, etc. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Hahaha!! Yes!!! As a homemaker and stay at home mom, I would LOVE to share that cleaning super power with you. Thank you so much for being a part of this adventure with us, Joanna. I’ve enjoyed this chat, loved your answers and getting to know you better, and I know everyone who reads this will, as well. You’re a fabulous artist and Instagrammer and we all wish you all the best as you continue to grow and share your amazing visions and art with us! And thank you for all you do in the community as a mod and cheerleader for so many artists!!
catacosmosis 