Today I'm happy to share with you an interview I did with Madeleine Wideland. In the interview Madeleine talks about what it was like completing a 100-day design challenge. She shares why she thinks it is so important as an artist to share your work - the good, the bad and the ugly!

What Madeleine has to say will get you thinking about how you engage in the larger artists' community and how you present yourself to the world. Enjoy!

Hi Madeleine! Please tell us a little bit about your background.

I live in a small town 30 km outside of Stockholm, Sweden, where I have lived my whole life! Like a lot of creatives, I drew and painted a lot when I was young, but as a teenager ended-up focusing more and more on my other big interest - music. I played the piano and discovered that I could sing quite well, so did others and I had something of a career until my daughter was born in 2000.

After one year at home with her, I felt I didn’t want to be away from her as much as a singing career demanded, so I started working for a major trucking company in my hometown. It was nice to have a pay check coming in every month and when I divorced my daughter's father, it felt necessary to have a steady income and a safe platform for us.

For several years I focused on being a single mother, but started to miss singing so much it felt like I couldn’t breath. I went through a rough time which led to some major soul searching. I slowly started to let the music and creativity into my life again. I met my husband (also a musician) and he helped me see that I needed to give my creative side more space and attention.

And how did you get into Surface Pattern Design?

Over time I felt that my day job was draining me more and more. A few years back I had the opportunity to take classes in graphic design and that inspired me. Even though I still didn't have the opportunity to be creative at work, something fun happened. The pieces started to fall into place thanks to some truly amazing women and their networks. I got to know a woman in one of the graphic design classes who recommended an online course called The Creative Doer. A remarkable woman, Anna Lovind, created the course for people like me who wanted to go from thinking to doing the creative stuff.

Just before starting that course I read a book about pattern design by Swedish designer Lotta Kuhlhorn and that book created a spark in me that grew into a fire. I began drawing and painting again, and during the Creative Doer course I became sure of what I wanted to do. Pattern design spoke to me in such a way that I felt like I had found my home.That was almost three years ago. Since then I have taken a lot of surface pattern design classes and plowed through tons of literature. And above all, I have gotten to know many amazing, extraordinarily wise women (and one or to men) through this journey.

I started my own blog this winter and am currently working on a portfolio. My goal is to have my website up and running this summer and to make my first sell before the end of the year!

Tell us a bit about your design process.

I have actually worked hard to become more disciplined. Online classes have helped. They demand a structured work process which I have adjusted to suit me and my lifestyle. At first I thought that structure and discipline would make me feel restricted and cramp my style. But what I've discovered is that it's actually the other way around. Planning my time and following a schedule makes me feel more relaxed and helps my creativity thrive!

So the process I try to stick with is something like this:

I define what the ”assignment” is (illustration, pattern design, a collection, how many different pieces etc).
Then I gather inspiration on Pinterest, in books, magazines, my photos, etc. and brainstorm around the subject.
I make a mood board and name the project.
The next step is doodling, sketching, painting or whatever I feel like doing.
I then scan or send the sketches to Photoshop (PS) or Illustrator (Ai) where I make the pattern or illustration. I am the happy owner of an iPad pro and apple pencil so I often start there and only do the finishing job in PS or Ai.

What is it that’s unique about your work and stands-out?

I actually try to not think that much about being unique and finding my style. In the world of art, just like the world of music, there is a constant contradiction. We knowing that nothing is ever unique but still trying to create something different and unforgettable that will catch people's eye. It's easy to overthink it and let your head take over from your heart. That goes for me too, of course, so I try to plan with my head and create with my heart!

That said, I do love big bold florals, bright colours and contrasts. I think that shows-up in what I do. I am not into busy designs with a lot going on. When I attempt those kind of patterns I end up feeling very confused…LOL!

I am fairly new to this game and I think my "flavour" and my personality will show itself the more I create.

Recently you completed a 100-day design challenge. Can you tell us a bit about that?

Yes I did, and it was a blast! Some of the girls from Bonnie Christine's Roost Tribe started a 100 day challenge. The only prerequisite was to create something - anything - for 100 days. This was my first time joining a group of people for a challenge and taking on a challenge where I had to be accountable to share something every day.

My initial goal was to sketch for 20 minutes everyday, using the same sketch book and the same pen, and to share my work on Instagram and in our Facebook group. Half way through, I changed it so that any artwork I created would count. It was easier to repurpose art I was creating for the Foliofocus course I took this spring. I also have a full-time day job and a family and the day only seems to have 24 hours...

It was important for you during the challenge to show both pretty and ugly work. Why?

That's right! When I started joining different groups, and meeting other "pattern people," I noticed that a lot of artists carry this fear of putting their work out there, even if their work is gorgeous in every way. Of course it comes with the territory when you're in the business of creating art that is supposed to look good in someone's home. Add to that the fact that many of us are perfectionists.

The problem is that not sharing can be very limiting to your creative self. I also realized that I love to see other people's unfinished and imperfect work. It gives me a feeling for the person behind the art and often leads to interesting discussions. It also takes away a bit of the "drama" of sharing. If you dare to share even the simplest and ugliest sketch, and then discover that nothing bad happened, it is so much easier to share your other artwork.

So what happened when you shared all of your work?

When I shared all of my work during the 100 days challenge it opened me up to a world of supportive and loving co-creatives! I discovered that a sketch I made that I thought was really ugly actually resonated with someone in a way I couldn't have guessed. In that way I began to see my own work in a different way.

However, I stopped putting my sketches up on Instagram every day and instead posted to the Facebook group. I made this change because when I posted all of the sketches, my pattern work ended-up pretty far down in the feed. It looked like there was nothing on my feed but sketches. Since my account is strictly aimed at showing artwork to potential clients, it seemed like the smartest thing was to stop posting the sketches. Instead, I started sharing a compilation of sketches once a week.

And what response did you get when you posted to Facebook?

The Facebook group offered a very supportive environment. Over time a lot of group members started sharing failed, unfinished and late-night creations. It was a big wow...we all learned so much! Creating something - anything - everyday and the act of holding myself accountable has made a huge difference for me. I no longer fear my sketchbook, I feel an urge to create and I feel very proud of myself for it!

Can you tell us a few fun things about you that we wouldn’t already know?

Oh, well...

I'm a sucker for technology and always want (and almost always find) a way to buy the latest Apple products.
At work my colleagues call me Dory (from Finding Nemo) because I forget things. I tell them it's because I have so many brilliant ideas that my brain sorts out everything that's not crucial. They don't believe me.
When I was a kid I wanted to be a writer in the spirit of Agatha Christie and I still enjoy a good criminal story.
Several years ago I discovered Ayurveda and by studying it have learned things about myself that are helping me live my best life.
I’m addicted to learning new things.

Want to see more of Madeleine’s work?

The magic of a 100-day design challenge with Madeleine Wideland