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Wendy, when did you first become interested in becoming an artist and how?

After spending 10 years training to be a professional ice skater, I found my dream taken from me, when at 14 I was diagnosed with Epstein Bar Syndrome.  This forced me into an early retirement and left a large void in my life.

The art class I was taking in high school sparked in me a desire to pursue art on a higher level. The loss of skating became the catalyst for the beginning of my passion for art.    

The advent of the internet opened up a whole new world for me as an artist where I found a venue to sell my art to the world.  Before the internet most artists had to be satisfied with showing in galleries in the hopes of being seen.  Having a website of my work has opened more doors than I ever dreamed of as a teenager.

You have an interesting background, with training to become a professional skater in your youth; besides being subjects for your painting, how do you feel that it has contributed to your art?

If I hadn’t lost skating, I would not have found art.  For a long time I questioned why I got sick and had to give up my biggest love, only to find that it was actually a blessing.  I am now able to channel my passion for skating through my paint brush.  I believe I am able to bring something special to my skating pictures because I can feel what I am painting. 

What instruction did you have in becoming an artist?

I spent four years in high school under the tutelage of the art teacher who I consider to be my mentor to this day.   I continued to take an art class here or there in college as my schedule would permit.  The majority of education I received in the arts post-high school came through my own personal study.  I pored over art technique books, magazines and the examination of other artists’ work.  I consider my education as an artist a lifetime career.  I still can’t wait to get my latest edition of The Artists Magazine to see what new technique or tip I can learn and implement.

What led you in the direction of fantasy art?

It started with my wedding.  I was going to have an outdoor garden wedding with a midsummer’s night theme.  My flower girl was to walk down the isle barefoot, sporting a pair of fairy wings.  I wanted each of the tables at the reception to have a fairy name instead of just a number.  This led me to paint my 12 original ethereal watercolor faeries. 

After the wedding, I built my first website (a far cry from what Creativity Designs has created for my site) and put the faeries up, along with my angel and ice skating paintings.  I soon found that people from all over the world were interested in purchasing my faerie and angel art.  It motivated me to continue exploring and evolving my art in this genre. 

Who has been your biggest influence or inspiration in becoming an artist?

My high school art teacher was the first person that influenced me.  She pressed me to create quality art and showed me that you could make a life as an artist.  I used to kid her when I was a teenager that someday I was going to take over her position when she retired.   I tell her now that I just couldn’t wait that long.

Jacqueline Collen-Tarrolly and Jessica Galbreth have been amazing influences, not only with my art, but with managing my career in this business.  The two of them continually inspire me to go further. 

What does spirituality mean to you in relation to your art?

This is a hard question for me, because I really have been trying to define this lately in my very soul.    Painting is the way that I get it out and give it back.   When I create a painting that gives the world beauty, reflection, contemplation and the feeling of the divine to people’s lives, I have given them a glimpse into something that is deeper in this world.  Art reflects my soul.

As a high school art teacher, could you please share with us some of your most rewarding moments as a teacher?

As an art teacher there is nothing more rewarding than when a student tells me that I have helped them find their voice and direction in life through art.   I have had students who don’t seem to fit in at school or excel at anything until they find art.  When I see them blossom into a young adult with confidence because of their artistic ability, I am reminded of why I teach.  Many kids today just need someone to really listen and care about them.  I try to offer this to my students.  I strive to give them an environment where they can let their true selves come through.  Art really does save kids.

Being a mother, wife, artist, teacher, as well as running several websites, how do you manage your time?

Time?  Yes, that is something I seem to be in need of these days.  It is a definite balancing act to say the least.  My family comes first before anything else in my world.  There are days when I get down on myself because I haven’t accomplished everything I needed to.  There always seems to be another painting to finish, another lesson to plan, or order to fill.  It’s at these moments I sit back with my little one in my arms and take in all that I have done and how blessed I am in my life.  I only have 24 hours in a day and there are only so many things I can do.  Balance has become my new mantra.

What do you see as your biggest rewards in life, as it relates to your art?

Definitely without question it’s my charity art work.  When I started The Protection Wings series I had no idea the response that I would get.  I get letters from people who tell me that my paintings have brought tears to their eyes and healing to their hearts.  When I get a response like that from my art I know that I am painting for the right reasons.  What greater reward than knowing that something I painted has brought hope and healing to a person’s life.

Where do you see yourself going with your art?

I really want to expand my charity site.  Touching lives and using my art for the betterment of this world is essential for me.  I can see myself moving toward painting more childlike images, be it as faeries, elves or cherubs.  Someday, I desire to have a book of my works published, with inspirational sayings to accompany them. 

I will paint as long as a can hold a brush in my hands.

Do you have any inspiring words or words of advice for aspiring artists?

Always paint from the heart.  If you remember why you originally picked up a paint brush you can never go wrong.  Success as an artist comes when you are following your inner voice.  It’s easy to get swayed by what seems to be the “in” thing to paint, but if you are doing it for the wrong reasons it will show through.  Every artist has a different voice and must use that voice uniquely.

Thank you so much Wendy for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us here at the Celestopea Times. Best of luck to you, and may you be forever  blessed for the great work that you do!

To view more of Wendy's fantastic artwork, please visit her website: www.wendykathleenart.com

All works are copyright.  Permission to use these images in any way must be obtained from the artist.