It’s spread the love time again! Let me introduce you to Ally from the cheerful blog ‘Now that’s pretty’. Her projects always make me smile. I am particularly fond of how she decorated the park with thousands of hearts for Valentine’s Day and how she hung up encouraging quotes on international compliment dayAlso, did I mention she runs a ukulele shop with the cutest prints ever? I know, right?

I won’t keep you waiting any longer, here we go!

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What moves you to brighten the public space with your art?
I really love the idea that a little thing you do can brighten someone’s day. I love seeing people pass things in the street and smile and take pictures or point them out to their friends because you know you’ve made a tiny impression on someone’s happiness. I also know that that kind of interaction has a really ‘sticky’ memorable quality. Someone once left a napkin on my table when I was glum which said “Don’t worry, it will all be ok.” and a little picture of a penguin. I’ve remembered that penguin for years and I think I always will. I want to have that kind of effect on others.

What is the most fun reaction to one of your installations you’ve experienced?
I really love seeing kid’s reactions. When I covered my park with hearts the best thing was seeing how all the children reacted; some went up to them and touched them and were really curious, some were just delighted and ran around in circles, some just didn’t care. I think kids’ reactions are the ones which adults have but then internalise and hide so I know that if I’m delighting kids then I’m at least doing something right.

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The installations you do look so colourful and happy. I imagine that part of what you do can be tough as well though. Do you ever experience negative feelings connected to the positive things you are doing (like fear of what others think of you, huge amount of work, etc.)? How do you deal with them?
Of course! Sadly it is a given that if you put positivity out there someone will try and dampen it a little. Obviously a lot of my big projects require a lot of work and so I get a lot of people simply asking “why are you doing it?” I’ve always found this quite a hard question to answer. I try and set anything up in the early morning before there are many people around to avoid any stares but of course they do happen. And obviously there are always boring people who chose to call pretty things ‘litter’ or ‘vandalism’ just because they are in the public space. If you need to combat the meanies just be honest, polite and clear up after yourself… and also remember they’re probably quite boring people!

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You are such a creative person. How do you come up with so many great ideas?
Thank you very much! I’m not sure really. I tend to find myself thinking things like “what do I wish existed?” or “what would I like to see here?” and then I just make it happen.

Are there any people that inspire you to do what you do? How so?
Not directly but you must check out Color Me Katie if you’re interested in making your neighbourhood happy. It is the best.

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Do you have any tips for someone who would love to do a street art installation as well, but who isn’t sure how to start?
There really is nothing to do but just start! Decide what point you want to make and sent a day you’re going to do it and just do it! For your first set up it’s often best to set up very early in the morning so you don’t have many people around and I would also advise that you clear up after yourself the following day but apart from that just get out there!

Do you have any future art installation plans you would like to share with us?
Not just yet…secrets are fun!

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Thank you Ally for telling us about what moves you and for sharing great advice. Hop on over to ‘Now that’s pretty’ for more fun, cute DIY’s and awesomeness. I promise you you won’t be disappointed.

If you wan’t to be featured on my blog too, read my post on ‘Spread the love‘.

6 Comments

  • Reply

    Carly

    February 10, 2014 at 15:32

    Ahh, a new magical person to fall in love with! I’m thoroughly intrigued. And yes, people who think little sweet street art things scattered around are just litter are quite boring people!

    • Reply

      magicaldaydream

      February 11, 2014 at 08:13

      We need to act responsible in these things. However, I also think there will always be people who dislike what you do.. whatever it is. You can’t please everybody

  • Reply

    OrigamiGirl

    February 10, 2014 at 16:25

    I do love random street art, and I love all grafitti. I think they brighten places up and remind people of the strangeness of life. I do think that for some installations you have to remember that after a while it rains and things get less pretty and someone has to clear it away. For that person it isn’t as joyous perhaps, or where it damages the environment. I do totally love street art and I am checking out her blog right now though. :)

    • Reply

      magicaldaydream

      February 11, 2014 at 08:12

      Ally did say that she took the hearts down again afterwards. Also when I do street art projects I try to be considerate about the environmental effects. But you’re right, it’s good to think about these things

  • Reply

    Breenah

    February 15, 2014 at 20:55

    I just started following Ally and I absolutely love these. Especially the vowels and consonants one :)

    • Reply

      magicaldaydream

      February 24, 2014 at 09:47

      I agree. I like that they are kind, but funny at the same time :)

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