Artist Interview: Norma Chung

Norma Chung is a mixed media artist of whom specialises in creating colourful art journals through mediums such as acrylic paint and acrylic markers. Norma found painting as a way to heal and get motivated, using her love of colour and nature to spread joy! She hosts 'Journal Friday's' on her Youtube showing her process, with the aim to be able to shift a sad mindset to a bright positive one with her art.

We had the pleasure of asking Norma a few questions, delving into her world of mixed media art!

 ©Normachung

'The beauty of it is that you don’t have to show it to anyone if you don’t want and you can use whatever supplies you want! There’s not right or wrong… it is all about you, playing and experimenting!'

Norma Chung

'Sometimes I do make little intentions… like help me find the answer to x or y… or I start with some idea/thing I want to try out… but it always changes to whatever the journey (my hands, colours and brushes) take me to…'

Norma Chung

Q: Would you be able to explain your journey into art journaling and your favourite aspect of the process?

It all started as a way to help with my mental health… it was crazy, but when day I woke up crying and saying I needed to paint… so I went to the art supplies shop and got a canvas, a journal, some brushes and some paint… I started painting that day… I learned through art books and YouTube videos (Kelly Rae Roberts, Flora Bowley and Donna Downey where the first artists that caught my attention)… and then it was all practice, practice, practice… I went through childhood trauma when I was about 10, and at 37, art became the outlet for the negative things that were constantly on my mind. I also struggle with depression and anxiety and have been in therapy for many years, but the only thing that really helps me with my mental health is art… I then left art as life got in the way and picked it up again 5 years ago, when I started a daily art journal practice and even though it started to help with my mental health, my art journal led me to share my story on instagram to inspire others to use art journaling as a way of healing and that led to start selling my art… my art journal is still the place where I can find peace and quiet, but also the place where I can play and experiment to create the art pieces I sell…

©NormaChung

Q: We love the bold colour palette you capture in your work! Do you find that your journal reflects your mood at the time, consequently altering your colour choices?

I don’t think it reflects my mood… I think my brain finds the way to create happiness and joy, no matter what, through my art… the colours I choose are always happy and vibrant, no matter what my mood is or what I’m going through in life…

©NormaChung

Q: How do you structure your journal pages, do you have a theme or process in mind before creating?

Nope, I just let it flow… sometimes I do make little intentions… like help me find the answer to x or y… or I start with some idea/thing I want to try out… but it always changes to whatever the journey (my hands, colours and brushes) take me to…

Q: How long do you spend on your journal compared to other forms of art?

I try to do something on my art journal everyday… I have several journals on the go, different sizes, so if I have only a few minutes, I use the small one, if I have now time, I use a bigger one…

©NormaChung

Q: Do you have any advice to artists who want to start journaling?

Just go for it! There’s nothing more satisfying than having an art journal practice! The beauty of it is that you don’t have to show it to anyone if you don’t want and you can use whatever supplies you want! There’s not right or wrong… it is all about you, playing and experimenting!

Q: Which art materials would you recommend for journaling?

Any art journal over 140gsm, some acrylic paint, acrylic markers and collage paper that you can find around your house (tissue paper, paper bags from the supermarket, etc).

©NormaChung

Q: Could you tell us some fun facts people may not know about you?

I can’t think of anything funny, but I’m very particular… like I don’t like going out, I’d rather be at home painting or watching TV… John (my partner) and I have a very samy samy routine… on Saturdays, we go out for breakfast and have Chinese in the evening (we always order the same thing)… on Sundays, we go out for breakfast and have chicken and chips for dinner… I’ve watched Gilmore girls (the whole series) around 20 times… I don’t like the taste of alcohol…

Q: Thank you so much for your time and knowledge!
We would love to know what you are currently working on/ do you have any exciting future plans in the making?

I’ve been invited to participate in a couple of workshops as a teacher, so I’m recording some lessons at the moment… hoping to use it also as experience to record my own art journal course!

©Normachung

Be sure to follow and find out more about Norma Chung:
Instagram: @normachung.art
Youtube: @normachungart

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