Fearless Faux / Magical Murals
Hello everyone, Debra here again. Welcome to my "Coloring Book" I've been tossing around an idea of how I can bring the beauty of what I do directly to you as well as show you how you too can overcome your creative fears. This is not only for artists but also to show clients the process of what goes into a project.
Fearless Faux/ Magical Murals is about how to conquer your fears about trying something creative.
Remember, it's just paint!! Have fun!
I started out in my career at the age of 5 when my first-grade teacher told me to sit in the back of the room with the other students she didn't like and didn't think were capable of learning. Yes, that's the truth. I didn't have any idea of numbers or reading. I just drew all day and played with the melted crayons that were on the window sill sitting in the sun. Little did I know that this was my first initiation into the world of art that is my life.
I was always a "good girl". I just didn't take to learning, doing homework, or caring whether or not I passed a test. I was naturally good at English except for the fact that to this very day, I would fail a test in grammar. Math was always a struggle and yet I really tried to understand it. As a display artist many years later I amazed myself at how I was able to figure out how to enlarge a 2-inch logo on a hang tag to a 20-foot logo on foam core that was applied to a wall. I used angles to figure it out and finally realized that math was helpful in art. That was the "Fearless" part. I had to do the project and instead of saying I couldn't, I said "Sure, no problem". You see, I'm a problem solver. I love the challenge of learning something new and proving I can do it.
Art was always my outlet so whenever I had a challenge to try a new medium, tool, paint, concept etc. I would just do it. That's not to say I didn't have my doubts or fears, I just didn't let anyone know about them. I admit that sometimes it took me years to finally try something. For instance just this week I opened my Paashe airbrush for the first time since I got it 10 years ago. Yes, 10 years, brand new in the box and I bought the compressor this week and opened it up and looked at several online videos to figure out how to use it. I tried airbrushing many, many years ago and at least knew I could do it but never had to clean it out, thin the paint or set it up. So now I know I can do it and it's a whole new avenue to create with. ( Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks?).
The Fearless part of my journey fed my creativity. Fresh out of FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC), with an Associates degree, ( they didn't have a Bachelor's program back then), I did fashion illustrations for magazines and designers. I would watch others, read art books, and go to seminars. I was a Visual Presentation Manager for JCP and other department stores and boutiques so I was always doing something with art. I went back to school when I was in my mid 30's to get my BPS in Visual Arts. While researching and interviewing other artists for school I was introduced to a wonderful sculptor Ishmael Rodriguez. I studied with him for a summer and learned how to sculpt in stone, wood, and clay. I also met Ann Froman a renowned sculptor as well and she inspired me with her magnificent art and "fearlessness" as an artist. I graduated when I was 42. I had work and family so it took a while.
This is the first blog in a series of blogs on how to overcome your " fears" and see the "magic" in your own journey and creative energy. I felt compelled to share with you the back story that led me here and "prime" the canvas for you to realize your own potential.