Autograph Sessions #1...Our Guest is Sue Roddis

Welcome to The Open Window's 'Autograph Sessions'.  This is a new feature I have been looking forward to for quite some time.   I first thought about this idea when my dear friend  
Sarah Anderson (The Art of Moodling)
sent me an autographed copy of a wonderful new book and I thought to myself  'wouldn't it be nice to do something similar online for all of us who don't always have an opportunity to meet authors and other creative contributors to publications.'
 
  For our first Session, I am pleased to introduce you to the very author of that fabulous book I received.  All the way from The United Kingdom, it's Sue Roddis.  Sue is the host of the fabulous blog 'Jabberwocky' and has many creative credits to her name.  Sue currently serves on a variety of design teams including  
The Stamp Attic with lovely Sarah.  
Her first book 'Handmade Decorative Books' is available from Search Press.

  

 Sue...we are so glad that you could join us today....
let's get started:

  1.....Where in the UK do you live 
and what do you love about it?

I live in Crewe in Cheshire in the north-west of England, famous for Rolls Royce cars and the railway! I was born here and my family still live here. The Cheshire countryside is lovely, and I can be there in just a few minutes from home. I wouldn't want live in a city although I love what a city can give........exhibitions, museums, art galleries, shopping!.........but I am always happy to head home!

2.....I would love if you would 'toot your own horn' and share your professional creative credits with us....

OK, this is not something I particularly like to do , don't get me wrong, I am proud of what I do and have achieved but I'm not too good at shouting about it!

Of course there is MY BOOK!

I have also been published in several UK craft magazines particularly Craft Stamper over the past 10 years. I have also been pleased to have work featured in Somerset Studio, Somerset Weddings, Somerset Home and Handcrafted, Altered Arts magazine, Paper Creations magazine, Tweety Jill Publications ATC and Altered Arts books, Scrap and Stamp Arts magazine and Art Specially magazine in Holland.

Blimey, quite a list when you write it down!!

I also teach workshops and demonstrate at several venues across the UK.

3.....It's obvious you have a passion for paper.  What else are you passionate about, art or otherwise?

I love my garden! I think of it as another creative outlet, mixing colours and textures but with plants. I also love to travel and be inspired by the things I see.

I like to read when I get time and to make jewellery again when I get time.

4.....'Handmade Decorative Books' is your first foray into publishing.  How did you find the process of writing a book to be?

It was exciting, frustrating in parts, hard work (especially when you leave things right to the deadlines!) lots of things rolled into one. At times I was sick of the sight of the projects, at others I was inspired and the work flowed easily, I was glad to see it done and not have to think about it any longer (it sort of took over for a while!) and then pleased to see it published. Seeing it out there for sale was strange, the feelings took me by surprise. I have been published many times in mags but being soley responsible for a book was quite daunting, seeing people buying it and hoping they would like it was scary!

5.....A common question, but what art tools could you NOT live without?

mmm...although a common question it is hard to know what to put to the top of the list, depends on the project really! For a purely paper piece, I need a sharp craft knife, a metal ruler, a cutting mat and my 3M double stick tape dispenser. For an altered project, the list would be glue stick, old book pages and gesso. For a stamped project, the one thing I use ALL the time is my trusty Memories black ink pad.

6.....In the creative world, what have you NOT done yet...that you would really like to do?

Now, that's a hard one............how about have a piece on the front cover of Somerset Studio, I'd like that!

And I'd like to write another book!  Not sure on what exactly but something along the mixed media/ altered route I think.

 

7.....Who inspires you, living or otherwise?

Now that's a hard question!

I get inspired by all sorts of things, not just people...........I love primitive art, folk art, old traditions, the natural world around us.........I like anything quirky, disparate things put together like they were meant to be, things slightly "outside the box" things, installation art......

 If we are talking about people, then I do love the work of the Glasgow 4, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, his wife Margaret MacDonald, her sister Frances MacDonald and Herbert MacNair..........I think partly because of the flow of their art, the flowing lines and curves, the use of nature, the colours and textures.............I love Art Nouveau for the same reasons.

On a completely different note I also love the work on 
Michael deMeng  

  8.....Now it's time for a little fun...if you could be any fictional character, who or what would you be?

Oh I think there is only one answer to that.............the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland!! Bet you thought I'd say Alice didn't you!! I have this "thing" about being late, I hate it, so what is more appropriate than the rabbit!

9.....Any favorite snacks that you keep within reach in your studio?

Not much of a snacker! How holier than thou does that make me sound!! LOL

I try to stay away from chocolate as it gives me migraines, so what good are treats without chocolate!! I do love good ice cream, though I wouldn't take it into my work room, I am so clumsy it would end up all over something!

10.....Coffee, tea....or something more potent?

Well, if you are asking tea or coffee then definitely coffee, I don't drink tea, but in answer to the more potent part, a nice glass of cold Pinot Grigio, a good Shiraz or a G&T..........not that I'm an alcoholic, of course!!

Sue made the Fab 4 with our very first Play Date Cafe Challenge entry and we are so glad!

It's been a pleasure having Sue here today.  



I hope you will stop at your local Barnes & Noble or other online bookseller and get Sue's book.  

Watch for Autograph Session #2 soon...you never know who it might be!