Voices

A thread runs through it. After telling the story of my own winding artistic path in my visual memoir, Unstuck: One Heroine’s Journey of Art and the Courage to Live on Purpose, I had the desire to ask other female creatives about their unique Heroines’ Journeys. So, I embarked on a new quest of discovery, mining the mountains and valleys of women who have made their passion for art their professional careers. Since I had recently moved from the Northeast to the Pacific Northwest, I began by inviting a handful of female artists I met in my new creative community. But, where could I find more artists to complete the Voices project? Enter stage right: Crista Cloutier, creator of The Working Artist online class, which I had taken several months prior. Crista hosted a Magic Circle in Seattle. We connected, and I told her about the Voices project. She graciously invited me to post an artist call on The Working Artist social network. I set the intention for the Universe to send the appropriate number of female artists who matched the book’s purpose and vision. As usual the Universe didn’t disappoint. Voices relays the compelling stories of 14 female artists who have bravely allowed the gifts with which they were born to shine and greatly benefit the world. (My own story is the +1 in Voices.) The Voices artists include painters – acrylic, mixed media, oil, watercolor – a decorative plaster artisan, a hand-weaver, a screen-printer, a sculptor, and a textile maker. They are of a range of ages. Some hold art degrees, and some are self-taught artists. They come from Australia, Canada, England, France, New Zealand, Thailand, and the US. I asked each one the same eight questions loosely based on Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey: What was your first experience of knowing your True Self is an artist? What has been your greatest fear, struggle or resistance along your journey of becoming an artist? How do you overcome your Inner Critic, limiting beliefs, and other creative obstacles? Who are/were your greatest encouragers who nurtured your gift, and how do/did they support you? What most influences your work – in other words, what is your Muse? What does your creative process look like? What advice would you give those coming behind you? What is the legacy you hope to leave when you exit this Earth? What can you expect to glean from the Voices stories, dear Reader? That even though the contexts and details of the stories differ, common themes run through each journey: believing it’s never too late to begin again/create, knowing that your life’s purpose will continue to resurface and tap you on the shoulder until you accept your calling, overcoming obstacles and resistance from self and others, persevering, surrendering. I humbly thank each artist for entrusting your personal stories with me for the Voices project. You are Wild Woman Spirits who inspire us all with your bravery to create beauty and meaning in this crazy world. I thank John Weidenhamer, the artist who graciously wrote the beautiful foreword for an artist chick he’d only met through a series of rollicking phone conversations. Thank you to Crista Cloutier for allowing me to access The Working Artist network to find talented artists for the book. And, thank you to VALA Eastside, a nonprofit art center in Redmond, WA, for the opportunity to connect with a creative community of artists who are in Voices. As you read each story in Voices, I hope you find inspiration to evolve on your own Hero/Heroine’s Journey. The world needs you to shine your unique Light!