GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.
Thank you to all who entered and for the wonderful love and support you showed to Kim! Love you all!
Winner 1, comment #177 was Marcee.
Winner 2, comment #61 was Kim.
Winner 3, comment #528 was Kathy G.
Winner 4, comment #363 was Jacqueline.
Today I have a real treat for you! Kim Klassen, texture creator extraordinaire and workshop leader, has allowed me to ask her a few questions regarding her photography and texture creations. Plus, she is giving away a slew of things, so make sure to read through to the bottom!
If you are not familiar with Kim, pop over to her site, Kim Klassen Cafe and see all she has to offer. While you are there, make sure to sign up for her newsletter because she gives away a beautiful, FREE texture each Friday. Really!
I have many of her free textures plus have purchased some and they are all top quality! You know I am a textures addict, right? Kim’s textures are really beautiful and I have thoroughly enjoyed using them.
Alright, on to the interview….below are a few questions I sent Kim, ones that I have been wondering myself. I hope they help you “get to know” Kim as I have.
How long has photography been a passion for you?
I started taking photos in September of 2009. So it hasn’t been that long. I always had a good camera on hand, so I could take pictures of my artwork. For many years I worked as a licensed artist. My art was and still is offered as prints, as well as licensed for calendars, stationary, and giftware. Anyhow, one day I decided to take my Nikon on the trail…. I just started to snap some pics… I came home, uploaded them and let’s just say… the rest is history. 🙂
What camera do you use and your two favorite lenses?
I just recently bought the Nikon D700. I also have the D300s. I honestly love them both. Oh dear, my 2 favourite lenses? Let’s see… that’s so hard. But I’m in love with my Nikon 24-70 f/2.8. I keep it on my camera most of the time. It’s fabulous….creates beautiful blur…. it’s also fairly versatile. Before the 24-70 I used my Nikon 50mm f/1.4 the most.
When did you start creating textures and how did that come about?
I started making textures last winter. Because I am an artist, I have a studio full of incredible art supplies…many of which the companies send to me for free. So I thought, hmmmmm why not give it a try. I wanted to come up with a way to combine my photography and my art. Making textures really allows me to do both. It’s a great combination of getting messy and digital…which I LOVE.
Your work is beautiful and evokes feelings and emotions. Is that how the textures are begin to take shape, you have an emotion you are trying to convey through the texture?
Oh, my… thank you for that beautiful compliment. ‘sigh’. I would say my mood just comes through as I’m creating the textures. I often start out with one step and it just flows from there…building on the layers… creating depth as I add paint, paper, medium…. is a fabulous process. I have always loved anything old and worn…peeling paint, rust… good stuff like that. So making textures is a wonderful outlet for my art style.
Typically, how long does it take for you to create a complete set of textures, where you are very pleased with them and ready to share with the world? A week, a month, three months?
Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I often make just a few textures at a time and offer them in sets. That can be done in a day or so. The Studio Collection began as a month long challenge. I decided to make 30 textures in 30 days. And I did it. It took me about 5 weeks to create the entire collection. I would create several, then scan them in and get to work in Photoshop, which allows me to tweak and perfect the texture. I sometimes layer several together to create a totally different piece.
I also had several fabulous photographers/artists test the textures as I created them. That was incredibly helpful and very exciting…. seeing the textures on other’s photos motivated me to keep going, keep creating. It was fabulous.
Interested in seeing her make a texture? She made a video showing her process and it is amazing!!!
You need to know something else….she is just as sweet and sincere as she seems at her site! I have had several phone or Skype conversations with her, plus many email messages over the past few months and I think she is just an extraordinary woman! I want to be her when I grow up, but seeing how she’s only a few years older than me, I don’t think I’m going to make it.
Now, remember I said something about a giveaway, did I not? I have to tell you that Kim has pulled out all the stops here. She knows how I like to have multiple winners for giveaways and she has really made me a happy blogger because we are going to have FOUR winners, each receiving different prizes. How fantastic is that!! She has a new set out, The Studio Collection, and the textures being given away come from that collection.
The prizes being given away are:
- One Studio Collection – the full set, $60 value
- One Studio Collection – squares and overlays only, a $45 value
- One Studio Collection – rectangular only, a $20 value
- One 4 month membership to the Test Kitchen, a $25 value
To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment telling me what editing program you use (PSE 9, CS5, PSE 7, CS3, LR 2, etc.).
For extra entries you can do one or more of the following things, making sure to come back here and leave a separate comment for each and every one. Please.
- Like Kim’s Facebook page
- Like Everyday Element’s Facebook page
- Follow Kim on Twitter (@kimklassen)
- Subscribe to Kim’s newsletter
The giveaway will end on Friday, March 18th at 11:00 PM EST. Winners will be chosen with Random.org and announced Saturday at the top of this post.
Winners have seven days to claim their prize, after which a new winner will be identified.
About Amanda
I would follow Kim on twitter in a heartbeat, if I had even the vaguest clue how to twit.
I’ve been a subscriber of Kim’s newsletters for quite a while. Who can refuse those gorgeous textures she makes just for us! Plus, I get previews of all the newest goodies right as they come out.
They’re beautiful! (And I use PSE7)
Coool!!!! I use PSE9 just started a short while ago and learning but it is fun.
i followed on twitter though I am not good about posting much or getting there much I am facebook kinda gal.
followed on facebook YEAH
followed everyday elements on facebook that is new to me need to explore them a bit more
already get kim’s newsletter
Kim’s blog is my favourite . I use CS3
Great interview! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
xo
jeanne
Oops! Forgot to say I use PSE 9!!!
I subscribe to Kim’s newsletter!
xo
jeanne
I love Kim Klassen…she is the greatest and so talented.
I edit with PSE 7 and PSE 9.
I am still stuck with the good old PS CS2, but it does a lot of things that I need it to do. 🙂
Discovered Kim’s site through another group and love the Feedburner which delivers me each blogpost in my emailbox.
Kim’s Essentials Class helped me get up close and personal with PSE6 and convinced me to upgrade to PSE9, her lessons are fabulous – she makes it EASY!
I would LOVE to win any of these awesome packages. I use PSE8 for Mac.
I am following the photoshop essentials course with Kim at the moment and my how she has opened my eyes. She makes learning a real joy. My pse 8 and I eagerly await each new lesson.
I am now following Kim on twitter! 🙂
I am using PSE 8. I took Kim’s free class and learned so much about PS and how to use textures. I highly recommend it!
I already Like Kim on FaceBook!
I already Like Everyday Elements on FaceBook! Amanda is amazing!
I already follow Kim on Twitter! I love Ben!
And I already subscribe to Kim’s newsletter. I love free textures on Fridays!
What a wonderful giveaway. I use CS2. I really want to update. Maybe one day.
leslie
I subcribe to Kim’s news letter.
leslie
Just discovering textures and LOVE these! I’m using PSE 7! Thanks Everyday Elements 🙂
WOW, what a giveaway. I am using PSE 9.0 I have been following you on Facebook. Love your stuff! I am currently taking my second class from Kim and follow her on Twitter and FB. She is exceptional! ADORE her textures and training! Thanks again!
I feel like a kid in a candy store! Been taking photos for years. Recently discovered textures & Kim’s site via Susan Tuttle’s online workshop, and now this one! I want to take Kim’s courses now too, asap. I want to do the RSS feed thing but still trying to figure that one out. . . . I want I want I want! I am using CS3, which I am also new to, even if it’s a little old.
Gimp! (And I love it)
I love playing with textures and just recently discovered Kim’s website and that led me to you! I use Lightroom 3 and CS5.
I am now following Kim on Twitter!
New to textures and looking forward to seeing the possibilities. Inspir-ed/ing work!
(I use CS5.)
I use PSE7 for editing. I am already a follower of Kim’s…lovely site!
Love Kim’s websites! So happy that Ben pulled through. : )
I already get the newsletter, and am a very happy Test Kitchen member!
Would like both your pages on FB, but I don’t have an account…same with Twitter.
The Studio Collection is beautiful! I’ve been drooling over it for days. My fingers are crossed!
I work on PSE8.
Love your site Amanda! So happy to discover it through Kim. : )
I can’t wait to spend time looking at your tutorials.
I use PSE 7 and I have learned SO MUCH from your blog and tutorials. Thanks for doing such a great job, and for hosting a fun giveaway!
Already a fan of the Everyday Elements FB page!
I use Elements 8. I already “like” Kim’s page and Everyday Elements pages on Facebook
I subscribe to Kim’s newsletter!
Hello! I use CS5, and learning how to better use it as I am currently taking Kim’s Essentials class at the moment. I am so grateful for her inspiration, I just can’t stay away from my photo projects now!
I already subscribe to Kim’s newsletter and am now following on Twitter and Facebook!
Thanks too for your interview with her, I am more inspired than ever! Can’t believe she’s only been doing her photography thing for 2 years. Wow.
Hi, I use CS3 (yes stil!)
I’ve just been to FB to “like” both the pages. I don’t Twitter much at all, but I am subscribed to Kim’s newsletter.
Awesome! I use PSE8
I use PSE 9. Just started exploring it and getting used to some of the really cool features. I use Chasing Dream’s textures mostly, but love the thought of branching out!
I use PSE9 to make great pictures with Kim’s textures, but to win one of your giveaways would be way beyond fabulous. I just love Kim’s work.
Hi, I am a subscriber to Kim’s Cafe, and newsletter.
And I would love to win one of these special textures offers.
Great interview.
I am using PS Elements 9. I am new to textures and am loving them! Just found you site through Kim and am loving it! So much to learn!
Liked your Facebook page
I used Photoshop 7 for years but now use Elements 9 and love it. Kim’s textures are fantastic and look forward to her freebies on Fridays
I love love love kim’s incredible work. You are correct too she is one of the most generous genuine blogers, artisits, and women I have come across. Her work is truly amazing.