It's been a hot minute since I have written a blog post. I still want to share the last of my fan art project from last year at some point, but I have found something very inspiring that I want to share right now as a dear friend of mine is off on a new adventure.
Midlife can be magical. It can be a time of exploring new options, making new friends, and reconnecting with pals from the past.
It can also be stressful due to health changes that occur during that time frame -hello midlife crisis and menopause. We often times find ourselves having to help our older loved ones as they face their own age related health issues, some severe. There can also be the challenges of having settled into a career and then finding it pulled out from under you due to downsizing, changing sales landscapes, and the lingering aftereffects of a worldwide pandemic.
Whatever the reasons, it can be a time of reflection, change, and upheaval. Sometimes it helps to look outside of our usual viewpoint, to make changes-such as one of the hardest changes of all-a change of our perspective.
I have recently had the privilege of reconnecting with a dear friend from my high school days, Valerie--owner of Valerie Sue Creations. She has found herself in interesting territory as she starts her creative journey, exploring her talents for poured painting art, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
I think one of Valerie’s own paintings best illustrates the point of how changing our viewpoint or perspective can bring about positive growth and change. When she first created the painting it didn't seem too special to her and then she turned it around look at it from a different perspective. It was then she saw the emergence of a butterfly and that changed how she felt about this art piece. It is such a great truth for us to hold onto, a change of perspective can be just what we need.
Please enjoy a brief interview with Valerie as she explains her new journey-how it emerges from her past and is leading to a fulfilling present and future. Please also enjoy the two perspectives on her artwork at the end of this essay. Please also make note of events Valerie will be at this year-where you can meet and speak with her and buy original artwork. A link to Valerie's website is at the end of this post.
Valerie--in her own words:
I am a fluid artist who does original art work, wearable artwork and functional artwork.
How did you learn about fluid art?
I was immediately intrigued when I happened upon a video of paint pouring/fluid art. In 2020 I started watching paint pouring YouTube videos. I found it very soothing to watch – and addictive! I loved watching the movement and energy of the colors. It seemed almost magical how lines of paint or puddles of paint quickly transformed into something beautiful!
Gradually I started purchasing some of the supplies, but I didn’t make the time to try it for myself. Honestly, I suspect I was reluctant to try because I was afraid of finding out I couldn't achieve the same stunning outcomes as others.
At the beginning of 2023 I found out that my position at the company I had been at for 24 years would be done at the end of the year. The company decided to no longer provide the service that I supported. I was asked stay on with the company until the end of the year. That year was quite unique as I transitioned from a hectic workload to a more relaxed workload since we were no longer pursuing and onboarding new clients.
During this time, I had the privilege of meeting several people who absolutely loved whatever it was they were doing. I even met an 80-year-old gentleman who was getting cancer treatment and couldn’t wait to get back to work. He said that when you love what you’re doing, it isn’t a job. My jealousy kicked in and made me want the same thing. I chose to break out of my comfort zone and aim for a job that I love. Rather intimidating goal when I had no clue what it was that I loved to do!
My mind was spinning with all of the looming unknowns and endless possibilities. I finally started exploring paint pouring to quiet my mind. Once I tried it, I was hooked! It also proved to be a clue to what it was that I loved to do.
How does this expression of your artistic endeavors fit in with other art forms you practice?
Honestly, I'm amazed that I enjoy fluid art now, considering I used to not be a fan of abstract art and couldn't really grasp it. I liked things clearly defined and easily understood. In life, I used to be very black or white, no in between. But now I’m just thrilled we live in a colorful world! Things aren’t nearly as easily defined as I once thought they were. I think my taste in art reflects this transition.
In the past, I’ve dabbled in oil painting and acrylic art painting. The first painting class I went to was with you (Terri). It wasn’t something I would have pursued on my own, but I was up for going with someone else. Terri’s excitement for trying it was enough to get me to try it.
I’ve never been good with “simple” so the first picture I choose to paint was a ridiculously complex one to start with. It took forever to finish. Partly because it was a lot for someone new to painting to do. And partly because I was shocked that I could do it (with LOTS of help from the instructor) and I was concerned about messing it up. So, I stalled working on it. I finally finished it on the last day of the year 2004 because I didn’t want it to extend into another year!
I can be a very analytical thinker, so I never really thought of myself as artistic. I’ve explored different types of creative activities throughout the years such as pottery classes, stained glass, painting parties, etc. In my role as a data analyst, I enjoy tapping into my creative side by building new spreadsheets to tackle issues, designing fresh charts and graphics to present customer data in a user-friendly manner, and creating ways to enhance our processes. When the data analyst position ended and I took time to explore, the creative side of me blossomed! I suspect it will be an ongoing balancing act between the two for me.
I enjoyed oil painting, but there was always the pressure for it to match the expectation, which wasn’t enjoyable to me. But with fluid art, my approach is totally different. Rather than the goal of painting a picture of an apple, it’s now an exploration of colors and techniques with general ideas of what the results will be rather than a specific expectation to achieve. For one painting, an abstract butterfly emerged quite unexpectedly!
There’s also the element that paint pouring results are much faster for than the realistic type of oil painting. It takes a lot of time and patience to paint the layers and details in oil painting. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll try a more abstract oil painting and find out that I enjoy that as well.
What are your hopes for your art as well as for your business?
Valerie Sue Creations allows me to combine my passions: fluid art painting, designing, fashion, and shopping all in one place. I am having so much fun designing products with some of my paintings on them! I'm really enjoying the process of seeing my artwork come to life in a new way.
My goal is to create artwork and products that brings me joy during the creative process and I hope my they bring joy to those who view or use them.
I'm constantly developing my creative style, aiming to establish a distinctive and recognizable signature that resonates with people.
I plan to start a YouTube channel featuring amazing fluid art videos. I hope it will become even more captivating as I develop my own distinctive style.
Have you ever thought about teaching classes?
YES! I love to teach so the idea of combining that with fluid art excites me. I recently gathered some friends to demonstrate how to create fluid art, and we had an amazing time together!
Right now, I'm working on uploading my original artwork onto my website. The project that’s next after that is to start offering classes or paint pouring parties.
What is your current schedule for in person sales events?
I’m currently working on wearable and functional art for upcoming events. I’ll have original artwork, coasters, wine glasses, jewelry, wine totes, and phone cases available for purchase. The upcoming events are:
Summer Art Market at the Rotary Club Pavilion in Rockford, Saturday 8/3/2024
Holiday Market 11/9/2024 at Bella vista Church, 5100 Belding Rd NE, Rockford MI
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