When you look back at your artistic journey, what do you credit for its beginning?

I’ve always been artistic. I took all of the art classes in middle school, high school and even some in college. I started teaching preschool and kept creative by coming up with fun projects to do with the kiddos. I also spent time working as a sign artist at Trader Joe’s… but this current iteration of creativity is directly linked to me becoming a mother. I had my son nearly seven years ago. I was home a lot. I was physically, mentally and emotionally drained. I spent most of my time wandering the neighborhood with my son in the stroller or home, doing all of the baby stuff. It was great. But I spent all of my “free time” home because that was the time when my son was napping. I made an impressive dent on finishing Netflix and obviously needed to find something to do for me. 

I signed up for a watercolor class that I could walk to while my husband had Henry. I came back from that class completely hooked. I looked forward to nap time more than anything else and even stayed up later than I probably should’ve because I couldn’t stop. (Please note: I still continued to watch my fair share of Netflix ) I started an instagram account as a way to keep track of my progress so, fr example, I could look back on posts from a month before and note improvements. Eventually I changed the name of my account to “naptimepress” and connected with SO MANY wonderful friends and kindred spirits in this community. Now I have a daughter and she is 14 months old… so I’m back to creating during naps!

I’ve dabbled a bit in lots of different areas with many different types of media. I think I’d like to do a deeper dive with goauche. I’ve only played a little bit but can absolutely see the appeal. 
 

 When I first started painting I would spend LOADS of time watching process videos of people creating. I’m not great at watching step by step tutorials… but watching a time lapse video of a painting lets me see the whole process and pick up little tricks here and there. I figure that I can’t be the only one that learns best this way. Sooo I’ve been trying to make time lapse videos that show most, if not all, of the process. I love it when people comment about wanting to try a technique I’ve shared. Inspiring people to pick up a paint brush feels so good.  

I guess I would tell artists just beginning to try and make something everyday. I know that’s what everybody says. But it’s for a good reason! 

Also, be sure to save a couple pieces from early on. Even if you hate them. Eventually you’ll be able to look at that piece and see just how far you’ve come!

And one last thing, find your community. Find some kindred spirits that will come along side you and celebrate progress and discoveries made along the way.

I have a shop on Etsy where I have a handful of stickers available.  I occasionally update the site with originals and will also do story sales on my Instagram.

 And my absolute favorite item from Stoneworks Mill (so far!) is Nimbus!! I cannot get enough of that deep, dark, GORGEOUS blue. 

It is my very favorite paint that I have ever used (and I’ve used sooo many different paints!).