Don’t let Wendy Southin's innocent little girl air fool you… she’s always raring and eager to set her sights on the most challenging creative projects… her big studio reno being a recent one.
Wendy Southin lives in Richmond, Ontario, Canada. She makes jewellery, books and altered art. We’ve been good friends for a few years now and have had our share of adventures journaling, creating ATCs and assisting each other with workshops. She’s such an amazing and inspiring person I wanted to do a special spotlight on her so you could all get to know her better as well as gather some insight into the life of a passionate artist and creative entrepreneur. This summer and fall she shared some reflections about living the creative life with me which I’d like to share with you… Part II will follow next week…
MC: Wendy, when did you decide you wanted to become an artist?
WS: I don’t think I ever decided to become an artist. Somewhere along my creative path people started to call me an artist and I finally gave in to it.
MC: Are you self-taught or have you had any formal training in art?
WS: I don’t have any formal training per say but I’ve taken a variety of different workshops over the years that have boosted me along the self-learning path.
MC: Some people are reluctant to use the term “artist” to describe their occupation. What term do you use to describe your profession and why?
WS: I use artist but mostly because that’s what people seem to want to hear. I think in my heart I really just think I’m a creative person.
MC: How would you describe your artistic style?
WS: Earthy, vintage and a little steam punk.
MC: What medium(s) do you work with? Which one do you feel the most “at home” with?
WS: I work with a varied number of mediums. I’m never content to just have one or two mediums to work in. Working with metal to make jewellery seems to give me the most satisfaction lately although this is my new medium to date. I’m always fascinated with the variety of things I can do with metal and haven’t found an end to what I want to learn to do with it. A lot of my other mediums have overlapped over the years. I did decorative painting which comes in handy with my altered art projects. I call them “altered art” projects while others call them “mixed media”. In these I can work with anything from paper, to shells, to glitter, to ephemera and found objects. So in some ways there’s no end to what medium I can work with.
These beads' colours, textures and patterns are so… Wendy!
MC: Do you see art as something you do for a living or do you view it as a lifestyle?
WS: Although over the years I’ve hoped to make a living with my art. In the last few years I’ve come to realize, it really is a lifestyle for me and if I can make enough to get by that would make me happy, too.
MC: With two grown sons, I admire the way you’ve balanced roles as a mother and an artist; how do you do it?!
WS: Oh, I wish I had a balance secret. I think I just keep going and try not to drop the balls too often. And when I do drop a ball or two I just pick it up again and continue to juggle. For me it’s not about fitting it in; it’s about it being part of my life. I’ve learned that I just don’t feel well and nothing goes well if I don’t make room for creating most days.
MC: Where do you find the inspiration for your work?
WS: I think inspiration is everywhere, everyday. I’m never really sure where my creations come from. Even when I start with an idea it rarely comes out anything like I thought it would. Lately I’ve been reading about living intuitively and I think that is how I create. I just let things do what they want to and try not to get in the way too much.
MC: Whose artwork inspires you?
WS: I’m inspired by so many artists and non-artists. It’s so easy to get on-line and find inspiration these days that sometimes it can be overwhelming and I have to make myself stop looking and start making. Even when I teach workshops I’m inspired by my students work.
MC: Speaking of workshops… what’s your teaching style? What are the benefits of teaching for you as an artist?
WS: I don’t think I’ve really been aware or thought about what my teaching style is. I think for the most part, for me, teaching is about giving people time to be creative when they wouldn’t otherwise be. When I teach, it varies depending on the workshop and the group. I think as a teacher I’m aware of what the students need which is always different. Some people come to class wanting to learn a technique; while others want to make something they can say is their own. I could probably go on about this! The benefits of teaching are enormous. It makes me feel wonderful to share my knowledge with others and to help them find creativity within themselves that they may not have known was there. I also find it inspirational and uplifting to be with a group of creative people. I’m usually very motivated to create after I’ve taught a class.
Wendy Southin's studio is a dream come true. Last year she relocated it from the basement to the first floor of her home. It’s a big, bright cozy space for creating in and hosting workshops.
This concludes Part I of Wendy’s interview… if you’d like to learn more about her workshops be sure to check out her upcoming Workshops Schedule on her Dragonfly Dreamers Blog. I’ve taken a number of them with much success; Wendy’s a generous, resourceful and patient teacher. You can see the links below for my reviews of her embossing and resin jewellery making classes. As well as teaching adults, she also holds great workshops for elementary and high school students. Her fabulous jewellery can be found on Dragonfly Dreamers Etsy Shop. Stay tuned next week for Part II of her interview and find out why the Dragonfly holds special meaning for her… what superpower she’d like to possess!… advice she has to offer to budding creative entrepreneurs and art lovers alike…and much more.
Other Related Links:
Making Resin Jewellery with Wendy Southin
Embossing the Day Away with Wendy Southin
Student Spotlight: Wendy Southin’s Vision Board Dilemma
Great interview! This is so Wendy. She is a very laid back teacher, praising and encouraging. She seems to intuitively know when her students need that little push to get their creative ideas out and into their projects. I have taken many classes from Wendy and I go home just bubbling with ideas. I admire her creativity and passion for creating in any medium.
I absolutely agree, Ruth! I think she also creates a great atmosphere for students to become good supporters of each other… it was thanks to Wendy that I met you! Have a good one and thanks for your comments. warmly, Michelle