Invisible Friends, I’ve got a treat for you today.  Today’s creative woman blogger is Summer from Artful Life.   Summer is a artist, wife and mother who breathes inspiration into everything she does.  I’m dying for one of her birdie paintings for my birthday (HINT!) and adore everything she does.  Let’s meet her, shall we?

Tell me about your art.  What message do you hope people get from your work?

I have been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I remember drawing pictures and people responding with such praise, it was a huge motivator when I was little. I didn’t do a whole lot with my art until high school. I was very blessed to have an amazing art teacher, Mr. Y.

He was one of those teachers they make movies about. Always encouraging us to try new art techniques and to dream big. He encouraged me to try AP art my 12th grade year. I scored the highest grade possible & earned a college credit. When I was 20, I finally decided it was time to go to art school. I had the privilege of attending Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida. It was there that I was able to really focus my creativity. I was surrounded by so many talented and creative people. I majored in Fine arts painting with a minor in printmaking.

When I left school early to have my first daughter, it took me a few years to get fully back into art. Right now I mostly paint children’s illustrations and also create illustrations out of paper. Most of my art is geared toward children at the moment because that is what I know.

I am a full time wife and mommy to three girls. So I try to paint and create what I know. Although I enjoy painting large abstract works of art and realistic portraits; they just don’t fit into my lifestyle at the moment. I try to find an even balance in the roll of wife, mother and artist.

What mediums do you work in?

I work in watercolor, acrylic paints, pen, fabric, paper and photography.

What inspires you?

My family and  everyday life as a mom. I draw inspiration from music and colors that I  see in the world around me. I also find a lot of inspiration from friends who are artists. My artist friends and my husband are a big support in my dreams of becoming a better artist.

What are your favorite subjects to portray in your work?

I love to paint and create little pieces of sunshine. Cheesy, I know. I really enjoy creating things that make me happy and in turn bring joy and happiness to others. At the moment I find myself painting and making mostly animals, or people that are wearing animal costumes. Eventually I hope to bring some of my more abstract characters back into my art.

What does creativity mean to you?

Creativity is something that I feel is so essential to living a happy life. It’s something that doesn’t take much time, but usually when you have done something creative you always feel so much happier. I also believe we all have the ability to be creative.

What made you get into blogging?

I was watching an episode of Martha Stewart where she featured the artist Claudine Hellmuth. They were discussing her blog & I thought, “What’s that?” So I looked it up and realized it was something I could do to kick start my art again and my family could see pictures of the grandkids. The rest is history.

What do you hope people get from your blog?

I hope that when people visit my blog they feel inspired to try something creative for themselves.

What’s your favorite thing about blogging?

For me blogging has become my online journal. A little peak into our life. My attempt at living a more creative and art filled life. It helps to keep me moving forward in my art goals.  I have to say I have made some wonderful bloggy friends in the process. It’s fun to realize there are other moms out their trying to do the same thing:  juggle being an artist, wife, and mother…and then trying to do all those things well. When I fail it’s a little reminder that I am not alone in that boat either.

How’d you come up with the bird family?

I did a painting a while back of three little bird sisters (inspired by my three girls) I just started sketching all these little bird people and it kind of grew from there.

You recently had a post about being excited to get your own studio.  How important do you think it is for artists to have their own space?

I think it’s very important. Weather it’s a tiny corner in your kitchen (that’s how I’ve been working for the past two years) or a special spot you go to write ideas down out in the back yard; it’s always nice to have a thoughtful spot. My husband is super supportive of me following my art dreams. I know that’s not always the case for all women.

Tell me about your project with Simply Sweet Marriage.

Heidie of Simply Sweet Marriage and I have been friends though our blogs for quite sometime. So when she came to me with her new business and asked if I would be interested in creating the free downloadable love cards,  I jumped at the chance. Simply Sweet Marriage is a safe and tasteful website that you can find all sorts of items to enhance your marriage through intimate products, apparel, and resources. The love cards are so fun!  You can just download them and give one to your sweetheart anytime. Did I mention they are free?

What do you spend your days doing typically?  Do you work full time outside of your art?

I usually take my oldest daughter to school, then the two little ones and I go for a four mile walk at our local marina. I am blessed to be able to stay at home with my girls. I really try to focus on my girls all day. I have a pretty great schedule for them. I usually start working on art once they go to bed. My goal this year is to work on art every night. Even if it’s just to prep for a project for the next day. So far I’ve kept to my schedule unless I’m out of town or sick.

Tell me about your family.  Who are they?  What do they mean to you?

Dean is my awesome sweetheart. I just adore him. I waited a long time for someone wonderful like him to be in my life. Sloan is 8. She is my little songbird, always singing. She loves to draw and is learning to sew. Zoe is 3. She’s the peacemaker. Always quick to comfort and loves to smile and make friends. Aris is almost 2. She’s my spunky, headstrong girl. Without my family, I’d be a very sad and lonely girl.

What people inspire you?

My family. My friends from art school:  Shawn Barber and Chris Ryniak . Shawn encouraged me to get back into art and stop making excuses of why I didn’t have the time. He said I was wasting my talent if I didn’t. Chris is a husband and a father to two of the cutest kids. Plus he works as an artist at American Greetings.  He comes home and works on art in the evenings. I figure if he can do it; I could too.

Do you have any artistic heroes?

Any artist who is willing to follow through with their unique and creative vision about how they view the world around them. Most of my artistic heroes are people I went to art school with.  I also love the work of Basquiat. His work was so raw and fresh and childlike. I hope to get back to that in my work eventually. I feel it’s something most people could look at and understand.

What’s your favorite pie?

Key lime! My aunt Paula makes the best key lime pies.

If you could go anywhere or do anything with anyone, what would you do and who would you do it with?

I would travel the world with my family and take them to all the beautiful places I hope to visit someday. We’d visit all the many museums and picnic on the banks of rivers where Seurat painted and in fields where Van Gogh painted. We would camp out under the stars of the Outback and meet the most interesting people. I think that would be so much fun.

Favorite meal?

My Grammie’s homemade shrimp perlo, with homemade garlic bread and homemade churned peach ice cream.

Cake, pie or cookies?

All of the above!

Is there anything else you’d like people to know about you?

On blogs, I feel we are able to paint a picture of our best self. I really do try to be a great wife mother and artist. For all of my successful accomplishments there are also a dozen failures to back them up, and I am okay with that (most of the time).

For more information about Summer, visit her blog or Etsy store.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  Tomorrow we have a tribute to Mother’s Day and a week of whimsical fun after that!

Are you a creative soul?  Do you know a creative woman who amazes you?  Drop me a note and let me know so I can feature you as a creative woman of the Pond!