dA love for everyone! #90

                                    

Tell us what defines you as a person.

I’m dreamer who’s at times lost in my own head. I’m continually seeking growth and meaning in my life, only satisfied when I’m creating or discovering.

How did you find out about deviantART and why did you join the community?

I joined in 2008, under a different account, in my senior year of high school, probably because all my other artsy friends were here. Now I have my work a few places online, including my own website, but dA continues to be a great place for feedback, exposure, and connections to other artists.

When and how did you discover your passion for art?

I was always a creative child, doodling and doing origami in class, making stop motion movies with my toys and of my pets destroying cardboard cities. Around age 14 my best friend and I started writing fantasy stories together, and drawing our characters, which is still going on now almost 10 years later, though at a much slower rate. I painted in art classes as a kid, but it wasn’t until college that I started painting again and began to pursue it.


What inspires you the most and when do you think your creativity is at its maximum?

It’s a common answer, but I’m most inspired by nature, the beauty and complexity that already exists in the world, the value of which many people today seem to disregard.
Unfortunately, I’m probably most creative when I’m asleep. I’ve found it’s better not to think too much, but just to follow my basic intuition when it comes to art. When I’m painting, it’s like meditation, exploring my own subconscious and bringing ideas to the surface.

What do you think you'd be doing if you hadn't chosen this path?

I feel like I followed a path more than chosen it, and I’m still not sure where I’m going. I would hate to imagine my life without any sort of creative outlet. If I’m not drawing or painting, I’ve got some sort of project going on, like sewing costumes or writing.
But if I couldn’t do art, I would be working with animals, preferably work that might make a difference. Right now I work with dogs at my day job, partially because I couldn’t stand sitting in a cubical instead.

What do you think it's your most meaningful deviation and what makes it special? Does it have a story behind it?

One of my most meaningful is an old one from 2009, called Return. It’s painted on a circular canvas which I built for a college course. It shows beauty and life rising out of adversity and despair, and I think symbolizes myself reaching towards my full potential.
Of course it’s only until later that I realize all the meanings I put into it. This was one of the first things I painted after a period of struggle in my life, and shows a transition in my work, from barely creating anything for a while to improving significantly and really finding my true passion.


Do you have any insecurities regarding your art?

Every time I finish a piece, I see what could be improved. As I look back, my old work looks more and more flawed, but that’s what allows me to progress with new work. I’m naturally a perfectionist, but I can’t try to fix everything, or I would never move on. I’ve learned I have to let go of some of that control.

Did art ever helped you to deal with your life problems?

Definitely. I’m kind of a quiet person, maybe even guarded, and art allows me to be bold, explore new things and make mistakes without inhibitions. But art has also helped me through physical struggles.

When I was just 15, I started developing pain and weakness in my hands, which soon made it difficult to do much of anything. For three years I felt helpless, not benefiting much from doctors. Finally, surgery brought my hand function back. I was able to go to college and get an art degree, which is where I got into painting.

Then, after I graduated last year, I got a computer job and my hand pain came right back. It took several months before I could go back to painting, and I’m still having some problems now, but art gives me motivation to get better. I’ve realized my own need to keep creating.

What is the one thing you always wanted to do but never got a chance to?

As far as art, I’d like to try sculpture. There are a lot of things I want to do, but luckily I’m young enough to still have the chance. Looking back at missed opportunities that I can’t change now just makes me depressed and useless.


A few words for our fellow artists?

Keep doing what you love to do. Don’t doubt yourself too much, otherwise you’ll go nowhere, but keep looking for ways to be better. If you don’t let yourself be challenged, you can’t grow.