It recently came to my attention how lucky a lady I am. Not just because of all the good things that happen to me but also because of the good people I know. When I posted about raising funds for a new generator for the Juice Caboose, I was so honored to receive donations from fellow bloggers. Women that I had never formerly met, with whom my relationship has been completely online. How incredible is that? I think it's pretty amazing.
One of those amazing ladies is Serena. We connected a while ago during one of my Green Smoothie Challenges. She is an incredibly talented artist, photographer and mama, and I really wanted to share her and her work with you. She lives in Winnipeg with her two children and hubby, sells her goods on her Etsy Heavens Earth and blogs about life on What a Sweet Life. Please welcome the enchanting Serena!
EC - What are your biggest challenges as a mother?
Serena - For me the biggest challenge is giving up control. I generally want to just go go go and always have a new project in my head, something I want to do with the family or a place I want to visit. Having a just turned three-year old, a seven month old, and a husband who is on 24/7 call, means that if we want to have quality time as a family, we can't have a set schedule where on Monday we would do this, Tuesday that and so on. Living without a schedule is actually pretty freeing. We do have a rhythm at home that we fall into regardless of who is home and what we may want to do that day. I've also had to accept that just because I want to finger paint in the morning and bake cookies in the afternoon with my son while wearing my daughter on my back, doesn't mean that either of them want any part of it or any part of me, sometimes they just need their Daddy! I'm learning to just roll with it and not take it personally.
EC - How did your work as an artist begin?
Serena - I don't have a grand story about how I became an artist. I didn't go to school for it, in fact, I did the opposite, I was a science student in university. In my late teens and early 20's I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease - this became my wake up call. I wasn't studying sciences in university for the right reasons; suddenly having a "good" job wasn't important to me anymore. I decided not to finish my degree, got a job (that turned into a wonderful career) with the federal government and started to do things just for me. I have always loved art.. always. I honestly can't remember not being interested in it in some form. Being "sick" suddenly made it ok for me to start exploring art on a professional level. At one point I was in a local gallery and just casually asked the owner if they were looking for new art and she said to bring my stuff down, so I did, and she loved it! This was a pretty big milestone for me. From there I started to do more and more art, have it displayed and sold in more galleries, and explore what would be involved in representing myself as an artist.
My husband has also been very involved with me pursuing art - he has always 100% encouraged every new project, every new genre, medium; I know how blessed I am! He really encouraged me to open up Heavens Earth on Etsy and put in the time to create new work.
EC - What motivates you?
Serena - My family is my biggest motivation. I love my family more than anything in the world and I just want them to be proud of me. Pretty simple eh?!
EC - What lessons have you learned from selling your artwork and starting a business?
Serena - I think the biggest lesson that I've learned from selling my art online is to not take it personal. I used to feel bad about my work when it wouldn't sell hours after being uploaded on site. I soon realized that there is a lot more to just making art available for purchase. Promotion and advertising is huge and something I struggle with. I've also had to learn and embrace that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It used to make me very upset to see people using very similar techniques and layouts. When Cloth Paper Scissors magazine contacted me about doing an article on my technique, I didn't know what to do! Thoughts of everyone knowing how I create my art and copying it started rushing through my head! I did come to realize that no one gains anything by hoarding techniques, and that even if everyone knows how to do my work, it doesn't mean that they will do it or if they do, that it will be exactly the same... its like cooking; just because you have your favourite restaurants recipe, it doesn't mean that you'll stop going there to eat!
EC - What fulfills you?
Serena - So many things! And they do change from day to day, season to season. Right now I'm finding fulfillment in: seeing the way my children look at each other; making my husband come out of his comfort level and try new things; nourishing my family; being authentic (living the beliefs I preach); letter from our sponsor child overseas; giving thanks for the small things (I think its the easiest way to make someone's day); finishing a custom painting. My list could go on and on!
EC - How have you evolved over the years as an artist?
Serena - Over the years I've leant that it's OK if I don't want to do something that will generate revenue every day, or even every week; that its ok to do art/create something for me and my family. Being ok with this, makes me a better artist because I'm truly doing my art because I want to, not because I "have" to. I've also learnt to embrace my style and not be so worried if someone will like it.
EC - What is your ultimate creative goal?
Serena - This will sound strange I think, but until about a month ago, I never had any creative goals! I've just been happily treading along doing my own thing. Around Christmas, for some reason, I got it in my head that I want to be in House and Home magazine - ridiculous eh?! Id love to see my painting, jewellery or my fabric in it; I would be over the moon!
Thank you Serena and family for sharing your stories with us. You can read more about Serena at her blog What a Sweet Life. If you are interested in Serena's art work, jewels or fabric check out her Heavens Earth Facebook Page or go directly to her Heavens Earth Etsy site.
For the month of February you can receive 20% off anything in Serena's Heavens Earth Etsy store!! Just use the code: feb2012 to receive your discount. Start your Easter shopping early. There is such fabulous stuff to be had! XO. S
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