Women Artists: Ashlyn Metcalf

Obviously I am new at this whole blogging on a (semi) schedule, because this interview should have been posted a week ago. I am frequently plaqued by health issues and this time it was strep and a bladder infection which kept me out of commission for the better part of a week. I should have scheduled this to post on its own; rookie mistake for me! So I apologize for the delay but hope you enjoy this interview anyway!

Ashlyn Metcalf is one of my oldest friends - we met in fourth grade at church camp. Because I've known her so long, its been amazing watching her grow and flourish as an artist. Ashlyn is an Oklahoma native and art instructor as well as painter and sculptor. She creates some really rad pieces. Enjoy getting to know her below.

- tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and your art.

A: My name is Ashlyn Metcalf and I live in Tulsa Oklahoma. By day Im a high school art teacher and by night I am a painter and part time sculptor. I have a Bachelors in Art Education from Northeastern State University. I studied under Sylvia Nitti and Lance Hunter. Painting is my passion and I am the happiest working hard on paintings all day. 

-at what age did you start seriously exploring art and thinking about making it a career?

A: I grew up in a rural area and when I was a kid. I played outside all day and did art projects. Both my grandmothers and my Mom always had me doing crafts and they are very artistic ladies. So I grew up making things and continued this as a teenager. I would often stay up late in my room painting and drawing. 

    When I was 16 I had spine surgery and the recovery was difficult for me emotionally. I remember renting the Frida movie and watching it. I identified with Frida and her struggle. She became an idol and role model for me. I remember saying to myself: I want art to be my life, I need art to live. I knew from then on I had to have painting in my life everyday. 

    In college I enjoyed my art studies so much. I was so hungry to learn everything I could about art and I still feel the same today. Hungry to do as much art as possible.  

-what are your favorite materials to work with?

A: As a painter I prefer acrylic and I have been painting on discarded library books for a few years. I work on canvas too and I like going back and forth between the two surfaces.

Occasionally I like to paint in oils. I also do a little ceramic sculpture on the side. 

-what do you think is the purpose of art in general and your art specifically?

A: Such a difficult thing to put into words! I think every one is hungry to express themselves and feel understood beyond language. Also theres a connection and a joy in making something-working on a goal and the satisfaction of your ideas coming to fruition.

In terms of my art, I suppose I have an urgent need to get my ideas and stories out of my head. I am the happiest working on a project, if I dont have anything to work on I get grumpy. 

-who are some of your favorite artists?

A: Artists from the past: Frida Kahlo of course, John William Waterhouse, Albrecht Drurer, Egon Schiele. And people working today: Soey Milk, Kent Williams, Martin Wittfooth, Eric Joyner...I could go on for hours!

-where do you gather inspiration?

A: Lots of places but lately its been from nature and philosophy. 

-what is your process like?

A: Each painting has its own unique way of coming about. I like to use photo reference for elements of realism. Preferably photos I took. The last year or so I have tried to keep my backgrounds loose and unplanned. I have been experimenting more.

-Imagine your future 10-15 years from now. What does it look like?

A: I would really like to travel more with my art, paint large murals, in far away places. But basically just the continual pursuit of art development and learning. And not taking things too seriously. 

-Tell us three things about yourself unrelated to art

A: I am a total nerd for true crime shows. I am obsessed with drinking Kombucha. I am not very good at taking care of plants but I try.

-if you wren't an artist, what do you think you'd be doing right now?

A: If i wasnt an artist or art teacher, Id probably like to be a private investigator or park ranger/river guide. 

-what advice do you have for aspiring artists?

A: Just keep making art, keep developing yourself, and keep a journal or sketchbook around. 

There ya have it, folks! If you want to get to know Ashlyn better or purchase any of her art, you can find her on

Facebook

IG: Ashlyn_Metcalf

and her website

Women Artists - Jennifer Currie Interview

I am so excited for this weeks interview with Jennifer Currie! I feel like Jennifer is the type of person you read about or see in movies and don't quite believe they are real, but here she is! I was so honored to interview her and think you will find her answers very inspirational.

Jennifer is a Massachusetts mom, artist and soul purpose coach. Links to her website, blog and shop can be found below the interview. Enjoy!

-first off, how would you describe your style?
J: I am an intuitive painter, and I blend both naturalistic and abstract elements into my work.  I love color especially, and everything I do tends to be pretty vibrant.  I enjoy working with water-based media ~ so all my work tends to have a watery look and feel to it as well.

-do you work as a full time artist or do you have a day job? If you do have another job, how do you balance your art and work?
J: I have a home-based business that blends my love of art and intuition.  I am an Intuitive Soul Purpose Coach, and I also do Soul Portraits along with my personal paintings.  I have definitely had times in my life when I was juggling being a Mom, having a job, and doing my art.  It actually made me realize that the art is so important to me, and motivated me to build my life around the art instead of trying to squeeze it in.  It’s an on-going process (and has gotten a bit easier now that my daughter is older), but the more I embrace my inner artist, the easier it becomes to make time to create.  I used to feel lucky if I could paint once a week.  Now, it’s built into my week, and I get in my studio for big chunks of time at least 3 times a week.  I also look for ways to embrace my creativity on a daily basis because it feeds my soul ~ some days it’s just snapping a photo of a beautiful flower I saw in passing or making a pretty salad at lunch.  These things keep me in flow when I can’t get into the studio.

-how did you discover your passion for art, and how did you decide to start selling your work?
J: I have always been passionate about art since I was a little girl.  It was my favorite thing to do as child, but somewhere in my teen years I lost touch with the part of me that wanted to get out the art supplies and make stuff.  My inner artist was still in there, but I wasn’t giving her permission to shine.  I studied Art History for 8 years and even got a masters degree, but there was always a part of me that wanted to create.  I appeased it for a long time by doing Martha Stewart type crafts, handwork, decorating birthday cakes, etc.  I did creative things that I could easily bring into my day-to-day life ~ but no fine art.  It took a personal tragedy (my husband’s death) and a lot of soul-searching for me to start realizing that I needed to support the artist within.  I started painting about 12 years ago, and it took a lot of courage to be a beginner, quiet the inner critic and just get going.  It took another 3 years for me to feel like I was creating something of value.  Once I started to perceive the value in my work, it started to sell.

-what inspires you?
J: Like I said, I love color and always have. I’d say just wanting to work with a certain palette is usually the thing that gets me going to begin a painting.  It sets the tone and mood, and all the other elements come to me later.  I’m also inspired by nature too ~ I’ve been drawing vines, flowers, trees and suns for as long as I can remember.  These elements still show up in my art all the time.

-which materials are your favorite to work with?
J: I’m a water-media girl!  If you can dilute it with water I pretty much love to paint with it.  I used to work exclusively with watercolors on paper, and my work was much more traditional back then.  Then I discovered some acrylic, collage and mixed media techniques that I use in my journals a lot.  My favorites right now are acrylic paints on aqua board with Neo Caran d’ache crayons and a little acrylic paint pen here and there.  I LOVE fine tipped acrylic Posca paint pens ~ I’m obsessed at the moment.

-do you hope to send a message with your art?
J: Yes, I have a general message that I hope emanates from everything I do.  I have a deep desire to teach others to embrace, love and express your authentic self.  If you don’t know who that person is yet, it’s ok… let’s explore and find her.  I believe creativity is a direct path to that inner authentic self, and we can transform our lives and the lives of others by choosing to let that part of ourselves take the lead and shine.  All my work is an expression of this journey in my life, and the commissioned Soul Portraits I do are all about inspiring you to live into your own authentic Divine nature.

-what can we find you doing when you are not painting?
J: Lately, if I’m not painting I’m doing Soul Realignment Readings, writing or taking care of behind-the-scenes business stuff.  I never knew that I’d actually find it fun to work on my website lol!  I also happen to live in an amazingly gorgeous place, so I try to get out in nature and walk my little dog several times a week when the weather is nice.  I’ve been known to go on yoga kicks, cooking kicks, and even gardening kicks but I thrive on variety and these things cycle in and out of my focus.  In truth, painting is my favorite thing to do, so I spend as much time as I can in the studio.

-what music do you listen to while painting (if you listen to music)?
J: I listen to a lot of different things depending on my mood.  When I begin a Soul Portrait, I usually sit quietly or listen to soft meditation music that doesn’t have words.  When I’m painting for me, I like a lot of different things.  Most recently I’ve been listening to old Coldplay albums.  I just saw that Florence and the Machine have a new album though… so I may have to go check that out : )

-which artists do you admire?
J: From the historical past I have always adored Gustav Klimt, Georgia O’Keefe, and Modigliani to name a few.  Of course Van Gogh and Matisse have always been favorites as well.  I also have a deep love for the old Northern Renaissance masters like Jan Van Eyck and Brueghel.  Also, I adore medieval art and especially illuminated manuscripts… oh dear, the more I think about this question, the more come to mind.  Contemporary artist who inspire me in a huge and more personal way are Flora Bowley and Alena Hennessy.  There is so much interesting, beautiful art being created right now.  I feel like culturally we’re going through another Renaissance of sorts.

-tell us three things about you that are unrelated to art :)
J: Well,  even though I live in the Berkshires of MA I am a Southerner, born and raised in Mississippi ~ I have actually worn a hoop skirt once or twice as a child in my hometown’s annual Antebellum Pilgrimage : )  2. I used to do quite a bit of singing on stage when I was in my teens and still love to sing although it’s usually something I find myself doing quite unconsciously while I paint.  3. I’m an avid reader and while I’m definitely a sucker for historical fiction there are 3 children’s series that I never get tired of and have no idea how many times I’ve read: The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Harry Potter series… I don’t know what it is, but I love these books so much!

-how did you find your voice as an artist?
J: I think I’m still finding it, and it’s evolving all the time.  I actually try to show up at the canvas curious to see what will emerge, what I may discover, and what I might learn.  Other than that, I think it’s just the doing of the work ~ picking up the brush and dipping it in the paint, etc.  It all unfolds out of the action ~ I couldn’t find that voice when I was trying to have it all figured out in my head.  That was a recipe for getting stuck.  The voice emerged from the action.

-what advice would you give artists that are just starting out?
J: Create a sacred space to do your work.  One of the biggest obstacles I hear other artists talk about is finding time to pull out all their supplies, get set up and then be able to paint.  If you designate a creative space for yourself (and even a card table can work ~ you don’t have to have tons of square footage), it makes it so much easier to get into a flow and you can dip into it easily without having to do a huge set up process.  The first big shift I saw in my own work back when I first began, came after I set up a space where I could leave everything out ~ it eliminated the easy excuses I was making to myself and made it easy to just get started and do the work.


That wraps up our interview with Jennifer Currie. Hope you enjoyed this glimpse into her life as much as I did!

Website: www.jennifercurrie.com
Shop: www.jennifercurrie.com/shop
Blog:  www.jennifercurrieart.com

Deployment Flourish

Deployment Flourish? Can I say that?? Does it ring true? I know lots of military wives who flourish during deployments, but maybe I am not there yet. Because my husband deploys roughly every other month, we've been through four deployments since March. So maybe I am not exactly blooming, but I am definitely not drowning like I was during the first and especially second deployment (we had 15 - yes, FIFTEEN - hours together between his first and second deployment).

There are plenty of negative things about deployments.

The aching loneliness and want for adult conversation.

The exhaustion; the fact that you have to keep going even when there's no go left in you.

The physical and psychological stress. What, I suddenly have to make every decision, from what brans of toilet paper to buy to which plumber to hire, by myself??

The concern for your husbands welfare.

blooming zinnia from my garden 

The list could go on, but I don't want to focus on the negatives tonight.

Tonight, I am thinking about the positive aspects about deployments.


The kids and I fall into a steady routine. They need that, and so do I. Things are unstable enough for them; with their daddy coming and going every other month, they need to know that their momma is reliable.

I don't get onto myself as much for not keeping a perfect house. Call me old fashioned, but I like to have a clean and comfortable house for my husband to come home to normally. When he's gone, I give myself permission to let things go a little.

I also give myself permission to slow down in general and find more time for self care. If I want to take a bath instead of doing the dishes, I will. Heck, I just might take two baths in a day!

Because I am not desperate to spend every waking moment I can with a husband who isn't around all that much, I have more time to myself. After the kids go to bed, I have several hours just to myself. That stillness can be nice. Focusing on me is nice. There's not yet another person needing their needs met. Just me.

I read more.
I paint more.
I spend more time outside.

These are all good things.

Tomorrow, there will be hard moments when I wish my husband was home and I could just take a break away from the kids and their demanding, sticky little fingers. When that moment comes, I will think of my husband with thankfulness in my heart and count the positives.

Women Artists - Candice Castillo Interview

Candice Castillo is the artist behind the products of "HEart by Cc", a creative, faith based line of mixed media products. She is a mother, wife and creative soul based out of California. Find links to her shop and Instagram beneath the interview.

Hi Candice! Thanks for agreeing to this interview. I am so excited to get to know more about you. 

-First, why don't you tell us a little about yourself.

C: I was raised by 2 amazingly creative and hard working parents who painted a picture of true love for me to follow. We lived an all American love story and my childhood looked a lot like a movie.  In 1989 my brother was killed in a tragic downhill skiing accident at the age of 11 and our love story was shattered. But my parents worked very hard to put our lives back together. And their love for each other and for me have  kept us together united by the memory of my beloved brother Travis. For a long time after his death I searched for love and purpose. I found an amazing partner in my husband (together for 18 years) and my 3 sons who teach me about selfless love through their unique special needs. But more over I found those things in overflowing bounty through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has given me the greatest love and purpose. More than I ever though possible. 

-How long have you been working as an artist?

C: I was drawing everything I saw around me from the time I could hold a pencil. My grandmother begun teaching me to paint when I was 3. In many ways I've always been an artist. However 2 years ago I begun sharing my art and eventually selling it. I just left a career of 10 years to pursue being an artist as a career. 

-What are your favorite materials to work with?

C: This is so hard because honestly I dabble in everything (except sewing and pottery but there's still time to get into those!) I would have to say my favorite material is acrylic paint and working on unique canvas, like found items.  

-You have three sons. How has being a mom affected your work in terms of logistics? How do you make time for it all? 

I never make "to do list". I know some people live by their list and planners but I've found the only way to do it all is in the moment it needs to be done. I begun working for myself in my last career when I was 8 months pregnant with my oldest. I have always worked in a home office. I've never taken more that the hospital stay off from work when I've had them.  Theres just always been enough time to do it. And by enough I mean enough GRACE to be sure I've done all I can do when I've needed to do. Motherhood has always been and remains my number one job each day. That often means that paint dries before it gets the chance to met the canvas. Or that I don't get all my ideas out that day. But there's tomorrow for my art. There won't always be tomorrow's with young wildly creative little boys. They grow up to quick. So they come first always. God grace allows for the art my heart needs everyday whether that's the art of motherhood or a painting. 

-Your faith is greatly reflected in you work. What else inspires you?

C:I'm so inspired by people. Not the famous ones. But the ordinary everyday people that are just doing what Gods called them to be. I'm also inspired by colors. I love color so much that I don't see color...I feel color. Weird, right? But seriously color and how it makes me feel inspires so much of what I do.

-You have a wide selection of products to chose from - jewelry, hand painted books and boxes, wood plaques.... yet everything is cohesive. Tell us a little bit more about how you decided to start working on things other than canvas.

C:Mostly I create what I love and that's rarely ended with one item, one medium, one product. If I love it then I'll try to create it for others to love too.

-I've seen some shots of your studio space on instagram. Any advice on storage tricks for paint, collage paper, etc?

C: So when I started doing art daily,  my entire studio was in one little box in my living room. It wasn't until I turned my home office into a part time art studio that I begun looking for ways to make my growing art supply collection into decor... I was really just trying to get it all to fit! Supplies can be beautiful to look at so if you love it why not hang it on your walls? 

 -Who are your favorite artists?

C:I'm crazy about lots of artist but the Artist who has most inspired me is Flavia Weedn. She's my role model and I feel in love with her work when I was 7 years old. 

-Advice for aspiring artists/crafters?

C: Dream it and do it. Don't wait for the right time. The right time will never be right with the worlds clock. Take a chance and be willing to let God direct your steps and your days. If you've already started on this path... Don't give up! Fear will tell you to. It will tell you that your work is not good enough. Don't listen. Allow Gods voice in your heart to be the only voice loud enough to make a difference. 

 -As a kid, what did you envision yourself doing as an adult?

C: This is exactly where I thought I'd be when I was a kid! Of course I got off track of this dream for a long time. The dream was really dusty when I decided to pick it up again. God never forgot it even though I wondered if HE had. My art has more meaning because of the detour my life took. Every single day I wake up so excited to see where God takes my art. That's an adventure I never knew was possible when I was a little girl sitting at her grandmothers easel in her nightgown. 

Thanks again, Candice, for this wonderful peek into your life!

Find Candice at 

http://www.heartbycc.bigcartel.com/

@heart_by_cc on Instagram