SEE INTERVIEW ON APRILLE’S WEBSITE HERE
What does “being creative” mean to you?
Being creative to me means developing the ability to view life from a different perspectives. Whether you are a painter and want to paint the ocean, you can paint it exactly how to see it or decide to change the colors and add more waves. Or if you are an entrepreneur, as you can look at your business and want to expand, you have a choice to see it’s pain points and address them creatively so that you can grow or continue to avoid change and stay the same. In oder words, being creative is removing yourself from your comfort zone and venture towards problem solving and creatively shifting your approach towards life.
When did you first realize that you absolutely had to lead a creative life?
I’ve always loved to draw and paint. After going to school in art, I tried to fit art into a career but I didn’t want to become a teacher. I’ve had a several exhibits and sold my art in many states (which I am proud of). Finally when I turned 50, I decided it was time to stop ignoring my inner artist. I founded my own business in the “sip and paint” industry and devoted 100% of my time to leading a creative life “and” sharing my love for painting with others.
What inspires you?
I paint women. I am inspired by women. I find my inspiration form images, art, daily life situations. I also get inspired when I attend Church.
What do you want your art to communicate?
Mostly emotions. I like to communicate inner emotions (mainly isolation). people go through so many emotions and often keep the negative ones to themselves. I hope for my art to become a mirror where people can relate and hopefully reveal something and help them heal through hope, love, togetherness and self-discovery. I think when people relate to one another through art or other form of communication growth, healing and happiness becomes possible.
I Love doing fundraisers!!
Describe your creative process. What kind of patterns, routines or rituals do you have?
Honestly it’s never the same. But lately, I seem to be more creative at night. When all my errands are done a dinner is done I can relax more and abandoned myself to my art. I started a YouTube channel so now I setup my camera and film twice a week so that has become time consuming (especially the editing part). I love it though because it enables me to share painting and pastel tutorials to a large audience.
What is the most challenging part of the creative process for you and how do you meet that challenge?
I am very busy with my business and I create artwork for my painters. This has made my art more commercial…but I plan to have an exhibit at the end of this year so my challenge is to make time to create larger paintings and paint for freely for my exhibit.
What’s the best advice you ever had about how to be more creative?
“You have a God given talent so you owe it to God to use it” ~ Sarit (my girlfriend…lol)
Is there anything you’d like to add that I didn’t ask?
I would like to add My WHY – My Vision and My Mission 😉
MY WHY is to uplift and support women through art, creative outlets & venues.
MY VISION: Every women to wakeup more inspired to live a more joyful life through expressing themselves more freely and more creatively.
MY MISSION: Is to commit all my talent and all my energies to build that world so I paint, I make videos, I teach, I invite…I do anything that I can to advance my VISION that was set in motion by my WHY.
LINKS and PHOTOS
My Group: The Women of Facebook Create
GIRLFRIENDS’ JOURNEY CARDS (SET OF 10) www.girlfriendsjourney.com
▼ SOCIAL MEDIA ▼
✧ YouTube
✧ Twitter → paintwithnat
✧ Instagram → PaintwithNat
3-5 jpegs of your creations
My Studio (The Blue Room)
Pause and Paint (Painting Lounge)
