“When I became a stay-at-home parent and lost myself in motherhood, it was tapping into my creative expression that gave me life again.”
Today’s Awakened Creator Spotlight is on Amanda, Process Artist, Creativity Mentor, Writer and Dance-lover, who allows the pressures of parenthood to push her creativity to passionate new heights.
Connect with her on Instagram: @creatingherart and her website: www.creatingherart.com
Here is Amanda in her own words on her creative journey and what it means to be an Awakened Creator.
Tell us about your authentic creative expression. What do you love to create and why?
Looking back at my life, I have always found ways to create. My mom is a crafter, so I grew up making my own ornaments and projects to share at craft fairs. As I got older, I made jewelry, pottery, and painted. I never realized I was “creative” because I had so many varied outlets, and to me, “real” artists were people who painted landscapes and portraits. However, when I became a stay-at-home parent and lost myself in motherhood, it was tapping into my creative expression that gave me life again. My main sources of creative expression are acrylic on canvas, watercolors, and art journaling. I’ve also recently added in dance to help with somatic expression and physical movement of energy. I believe our creative energies need to be released – and sometimes you need a few different forms of expression to fully process all of the emotions we feel.
What most often gets in your way as a creator and how do you stay in alignment and flow?
As a mother, the things that most commonly get in the way are the pushes and pulls of being responsible for small humans. Not having the time, space, or ability to act on a creative whim as a parent can be extremely frustrating. I learned early on that having the time to create made me a better mother, so now I have to intentionally incorporate creativity into my life.
There are a few ways I do this:
- I have my own designated studio that’s only mine. It’s a sacrifice for our space-challenged home, but when I gave it up in the past, I felt the effects. I have a very supportive husband who recognizes that I am much happier when I make art, so he has worked hard to help me nurture and maintain it. My children also know this is my sacred space, and it’s off-limits when mom is not around.
- I include my children in my art. I determined years ago that if I waited for the “right” time to create, I might never have it. Being a mom means you can’t always sneak away, and circumstances don’t always work in your favor. So I have mini canvases for the kids to work on, old canvases they can paint over, or I’ll set up watercolors for them. I’ve recently started playing with textured art, and it’s such a fun medium that my daughter also likes to try out. And if push comes to shove, and I don’t have the patience to create with them, they will just keep me company in my studio and explore my supplies for the few minutes I’m there. Because this space is not one they get to use often, they treat it tenderly and just enjoy being in it with me.
- I try to make sure my supplies are always at the ready. When I feel the urge to paint, or I find myself with a pocket of unexpected time, I don’t always have time to set up. That’s why I try to make sure I always have a fresh jar of paint water, cleaned brushes, and an assortment of paints ready. I want to make sure it’s a welcoming space the next time I enter. There’s nothing worse than going into my studio and finding chaos from the last time I created. If I have to spend too much time prepping, then the inspiration passes me by. Now, my studio is far from perfect, but I try to leave it in such a way where if I pop in, then it’s easy to slide into a space of creation.
If you could offer words of wisdom or support to your fellow creators, what would you say?
One of the biggest things I would say is: the act of creating is worth more than the final product. Creativity is a process unique to each of us, and even if you never show your creations to another person, the process is the most important piece. If you end up with something you love, that’s a bonus.
Because creativity is so personal, the second biggest piece of advice I would offer is to NOT compare your process to someone else’s.
It’s easy to get stuck in the feeling of not being like someone else, or not being where you want to be, but if you acknowledge that there’s no voice like yours, and the world needs *your* authentic expression, then you can see how there’s room for all of us.
What does being an Awakened Creator mean to you?
I am a new addition to the Awakened Creators community! It’s been wonderfully refreshing to see such positivity radiating, and to be reminded of the importance of creativity in our lives. Being an Awakened Creator to me, means tapping into a higher level of understanding of both myself and the world around me. It means listening to my own inner voice and heart, and using that to guide my interactions with the world. And, being gentle with whatever shows up in the process.
Want to connect with Amanda?
Check out Amanda’s inspired and expressive creations at:
Instagram: @creatingherart
Website: www.creatingherart.com
Do you have the desire to align with your authentic creative expression?
If you want to feel free to create from the heart, my HeART Alignment Creative Ritual guide will show you a pathway home.
I will personally guide you (with quick video lessons) through a simple yet powerful creative ritual that will bring your heART back online so you can start creating from that space again.
