I have always been a believer in big dreams, and my passion is working with people to help them find constructive and viable ways to create a vision and turn it into reality. Sadly, so many of us have dreams, but are held back by our inner gremlins that like to tell us all the reasons why they can't come true. It takes a lot of energy to silence those voices and replace them with positive affirmations and forward action. This week, I want to share with you a recent interview I did with artist Susan Tuttle, whose journey from a formally trained musician to a self-taught artist and published writer is an inspiring example of how positive energy really does make dreams come true!
It was about this time last year when I received an email with an offer I couldn’t pass up. It was from Susan, who I knew from her online weekly art challenge, Artwords, asking me if I’d be interested in contributing to a book she was writing. Although she couldn’t tell me too much about it as it was in the proposal stage, my response was an enthusiastic yes! Now that her book – Exhibition 36: A Gallery of Mixed-Media Inspiration – is finished and available for preorder prior to its release in November 2008, I thought it would be inspiring to learn more about Susan and how she has traveled the road to her dreams.
CK: You’ve had formal training in the areas of Flute Performance and Music Education, and you’ve taught music in public schools for over ten years. At what point in your life did you feel the desire to turn your artistic attention to visual art?
ST: It all happened just as it was supposed to, and looking back, there were definitely significant moments that pointed me in the direction of creating visual art. I took an art history class as an elective in college, and enjoyed the thrill of getting on the train in New Brunswick, NJ, to travel to the city in under an hour to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). I had never before looked at actual, original modern art, and the experience was much different then viewing the more realistic art that I was accustomed to. The experience brought so many emotions and memories to the surface, and enabled me to be introspective about my life journey at a very young age.
On April 13, 1996 I had a very serious car accident. It was clearly not my time to go, but a gift I was given that caused me to slow down in life, think about what was important to me, and head in a new direction that would allow me to be more at home in my skin. During my respite I started drawing with charcoals. That soon evolved into painting furniture that I found discarded on street corners in Boston.
I began painting up a storm about six years ago, when my husband and I were going through the difficult time of trying to have a baby. I had multiple miscarriages and my spirit was put to the test. What helped me in my healing process was creating art every day; painting abstracts on practically any surface I could find. We are now blessed with two wonderful children and I am so lucky to be at home with them.
CK: What prompted you to "go public" with your art by submitting it for publication? Can you describe any of your initial feelings about putting yourself out there - excitement, fear, anticipation?
I started making ATCs about three years ago - creating and selling my own ATCs on Ebay, [but] what really prompted me to "go public" was seeing a copy of Somerset Studio for the first time in 2005. The magazine made me feel so at home, like I had discovered others out there just like me - I wanted to be a part of the community.
I definitely felt excited and a little nervous about putting my work out there, but not in a stifling way. I think that being a flutist who has performed a lot primed me for 'putting myself out there.' After my first attempt was rejected, I didn't let it get to me - I tried again - that is what I did my whole life with practicing flute, so it was just natural for me to want to 'get it right.'
I think that in order to experience the fullness of what life has to offer, we have to put ourselves out there. In doing so, we can experience incredible joy and passion, that can multiply exponentially. Yes, we will sometimes get hurt, but it's definitely worth it, considering the benefits. Plus, feeling hurt, victimized, or "burned," is more often than not, a choice we have made, and it usually has to do with our egos and our pride getting in the way. If we can take the ego out, it makes all the difference.
CK: Becoming a published writer is huge! What prompted you to write Exhibition 36? What did you do to make your dream a reality?
ST: When attending college, I couldn't decide if I wanted to major in English, journalism, or music - you know which one I chose. I have always loved to express myself through the written word. I composed stories and poems from a very young age and kept journals for most of my life. Sometimes when I write, I am often amazed at some of the thoughts and realizations that come through me - I often feel that they come from a place much greater than myself, and are meant to inform and teach me on how to live a better life. I have always been one to share, as the rewards of giving can be so great - put something good out there in a genuine way, and it will always come back to you, often in a larger way. I can't just keep my creative side to myself - my art, music, and thoughts.
I had the privilege of contributing an article and piece of artwork to Suzanne Simanaitis' book Kaleidoscope, published by North Light Books. I received a letter from the editor inviting me to submit any book proposal ideas that I had. It was an opportunity that I knew I could not refuse, so I decided to take her up on it. My first attempt was tabled, as someone else was already doing a book on the subject, so I just tried again - and it happened!
CK: You're an accomplished artist and business woman who’s experienced a great deal of success, although I am sure you've had challenges along the way. What kinds of personal techniques do you use to stay positive and focused when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged?
ST: The biggest thing for me is listening to my inner voice - it tells me what I have to do and what feels right. I believe we all have that inner sense of knowing and that we should follow it. If something doesn't unfold the way you want it to, it just wasn't meant to - it doesn't mean it's a failure, it just means you were meant to go in another direction.
I am learning that when something is meant to happen in my life, something of great significance to it, those things strike me quickly with unbelievable clarity - when those moments happen they are almost like out-of-body experiences, where I can almost see the door I am meant to walk through and can feel the electricity of it all resonate through my whole being - and it feels good, really good, really right. I have learned to follow those instincts and feelings and I have never been led astray. When I follow them, these significant things unfold so naturally and easily - I don't have to force them.
CK: You’re a mother, mixed media artist, writer, musician, and now you're also giving workshops! How do you juggle the various aspects of your life? What do you do to maintain balance?
ST: I have been known to juggle many balls at once, and have found I am often more productive when I do. Creative energies and ideas from one project or endeavor inevitably filter into another, so each project often benefits from another.
Since having children, I have definitely learned about the importance of balance in one's life. I have learned to filter my daily experiences through what I call a "priority lens." If I know what my priorities are, I can decide what to keep and what to let go of. My children and family life come first, and my art-making and book writing is right up there with it, but taking second place for sure. I have learned over time that it is okay to say no and that I don't have to be everything to everyone. As long as I am doing what I am passionate about, somehow I find a way to make it work. When we live passionately, we feel aligned, at peace, and excited about life - I believe I am actually a better mother because I do embrace my passions. I don't get much sleep, as I create at night, but the passion often makes up for that.
CK: What's next - new goals, plans?
ST: I am looking forward to teaching at ConvenZioNE this August in Pleasanton, CA and at Art Is... in Cromwell, CT this Fall. It feels good to be given the chance to exercise my teaching muscles again. It's all about sharing what I know and learning from others - it's definitely a two way street, and in fact for me, it's more about learning from others.
I must admit that I've caught the book writing bug! Let's just say that I have something else brewing at the moment...stay tuned...
You can follow the adventures of Susan Tuttle on her blog and see more of her art on her website, Ilka's Attic.
I always get excitied when I read about people with some similar patterns to mine. It's like a boost of encouragement that I need when following my own muse starts getting a little isolating or seems too daunting. I don't know Susan's work (will check that out after ~ I love what I see here). Great interview, Carla. You're always so good at looking beyond what's in front of you and sharing with a larger circle, too our benefit. (And since I'm a formally trained artist and teacher who likes to write -- and has also been published though only a teacher's resource book -- do you think I can start making money with my newly-acquired guitar-playing skills? :) OK, so some of us are a little more limited...)
Posted by: andrea | May 19, 2008 at 11:34 AM
...not to mention too impetuous to check for typos. Oh well.
Posted by: andrea | May 19, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Susan's art is inspirational...her soul and her spirit shine through in everything she does. Love this girl!
Posted by: Sherry Smyth | May 25, 2008 at 03:42 PM