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... combination that you see on something. I often have my camera with me to capture texture and combination of things that I like. So really, everywhere I turn my head I see inspiration. My problem is remembering to write down my ideas before I forget them! Another strong influence on me is the year I lived in Paris, France. I spent my time walking the city daily amazed at the architecture, the gardens, and the art in the museums. The work of great artists such as Monet and Van Gogh have always stuck with me. Their use of color and texture was so incredible. Did you know Monet never used black? How I wish the computers and internet were as advanced then as they are now because I would have looked at the city in a whole different way.

TheDailyScrapper:
I bought my wife (Alice Koh) a beautiful camera too and initially we have nice family photos and landscapes. Now I am out of focus and she is taking portions of tree barks, patterns on the sand and floor. Could we observe something similar on your side as well?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
[laugh] We went out for Mother's Day and went on a gorgeous hike in the woods beside a picturesque river. Peppered amongst the pictures of my daughter and husband were closeup shots of the varying types of tree bark from Douglas Fir's and Birch trees. [laugh] I bought myself a macro lens just because I love macro shots to see what is really in something that you don't see with your own eyes.

TheDailyScrapper:
Do you ever have designer's block and you simply can't do anything?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
Absolutely. Yes, I do. Usually it means I've been overworking myself and I need a short break. Soon I start looking at magazines, clothing patterns in stores, etc... and before I know it the mojo seems to return. If all else fails, it seems that the moment I tell my CT not to expect anything new for a bit, I instantly start designing again. Sometimes it does seem like every design has been done already by someone and that definitely affects the mojo.

TheDailyScrapper:
I find your doodles very unique.
Clever Monkey Graphics:
They are just my own personality the way I do them. I actually look at my daughter's picture books. I love at the styles of various artists and think about how I want to create my own doodles and then I put the books down and start drawing and my own style flows out. My style is always something very solid looking, solid in design and solid in color. I don't like scratchy little things, that's just not me. My designs need a certain "oomph" or I'm not happy.

TheDailyScrapper:
When you design, how important is it that people approve it?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
Obviously if you hear people telling you they like what you create, it makes you feel good. We are humans and crave approval. But I still couldn't create something I don't like and just create for the general populace in order to sell. When I try to alter my true style, I don't like the products I produce.

TheDailyScrapper:
Lets say you rent a shop in town, open a small gallery, call yourself a gallery owner and fill it up with artwork. Immediately you would be recognized as someone who is interested in art. Why do you feel that people like you who put hours of energy into your designs don't get similar recognition?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
It's who we are selling too. We are selling to a completely different crowd - our customers are housewives, mommies, grandmothers, etc., looking to create memories for their families. The very purpose of our digital designs are to frame pictures of our customers loved ones and lives. We do not sell into the affluent art world where the time it takes for creation is recognized. Our artwork is used for a different purpose.

TheDailyScrapper:
How does your immediate environment look at it?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
When I do digital design, it really doesn't make me feel like an artist although I recognize it as my artistic release. There are strong influences in my family. My mother is an artist and as a child I remember going to many of her art openings at galleries and watching her be interviewed on television. Both my sisters are artists, one now reworking interiors in 20,000 square foot homes and the other on a more relaxed basis and I have a world renowned portrait photographer as an uncle, and an aunt who publishes an Artist magazine in Canada. Both my parents now work in Photoshop and they are in their 70s and 80s. So I have a lot to compare myself up to in my own family. This makes it very hard to call myself an artist.

It's very hard to create something on the computer and have the world recognizes it as art. They want to see something done with paint and canvas before they call it art. People want to see something physical before they can call it art and see its value. Scrapbookers also couldn't afford to buy it if we charge for the manhours involved in the creation.

TheDailyScrapper:
Do you think it is important for a designer to be part of a forum and gallery or is it sufficient for a designer to place her products in the store and let people buy from there?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
I think it is important to be active somewhat in the community. In part, it shows who you are as a person and that you are there able to help out another scrapper in the community. It gets your name out as well. It breeds familiarity. I'm in the community because I enjoy being a part of it. Not because I design. I have been very impressed with how the scrapbooking world connects me digitally. It brings me together with people from across the world. I have had girls on my creative team from Sri Lanka, Scotland, New Zealand and now even a wonderful lady who lives in Iceland. Where else would I ever have the chance to meet and talk to these women in different parts of the world and see all the things we have in common despite having such different upbringings. It just amazes me!

TheDailyScrapper:
Is there anything that you would love to do as a designer?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
I would love to pick up some of the paper magazines and see more than just the very top digital designers represented in them. It frustrates me that every time I thumb through these magazines all I see are the very, very top names and very little of anyone else when there are lots of fantastic smaller designers. Naturally, I would love to see my designs turn up in magazines but I've never bother to submit my own layouts! [laugh]

TheDailyScrapper:
How many hours a day do you design?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
There are days where I am able to design for 6 hours while my daughter is at school and there are days when I may get only an hour. And then I may follow it up designing from 6 in the evening to 1 in the morning. A lot of hours actually! I just don't have as many hours during summer when she is home from school. Or when other work projects need to take priority. I spend so much of my time with my head buried in Photoshop that I think I ought to be able to just control it with my mind now!

TheDailyScrapper:
That implies that the family needs to be very supportive as when inspiration comes you may just disappear in front of the computer and get it all done.
Clever Monkey Graphics:
In theory they should be! [laugh] When I am designing in the evening, it is from my easy chair with my laptop so that I can be with my family at the same time. It's my one way of bringing myself back to the family.

TheDailyScrapper:
How big is your family? Where do you live?
Clever Monkey Graphics:
I have one gorgeous 8 year old daughter and husband and one frog [laugh]. I am Canadian but have now lived half my life in the US. I live in a little area called "Happy Valley." If you live there you have to be happy! [laugh].

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