Wendy Southin in her beautiful country garden… after I snapped this photo, as if on cue, a dragonfly came and rested on her hand... it was like something right out of fairy tale!
At last, the highly anticipated second half of Wendy Southin of Dragonfly Dreamers interview…
MC: Wendy, images from nature abound in your mixed media art and jewellery. What attracts you to nature? Does living in the country have something to do with this?
WS: Yes, I think nature influences me a great deal. I can’t imagine not living in the country. I guess it gets into my work without me really being aware of it.
MC: The dragonfly is an important symbol to your brand – what special meaning does it hold for you?
WS: When I named my company Dragonfly Dreamers I wasn’t aware at all about what it meant or why I chose it. I think this is just a reminder that I’ve been living and creating intuitively for some time. I realize now that the dragonfly is about the changes within me that were happening and are still happening. For me it’s about finding my true self, accepting it and letting others see that side of me.
A beautiful gate-fold book crafted by Wendy Southin… she gives a great workshop on bookmaking. See Other Links below for samples of fabulous books made by her students…
MC: Some people feel words have no place in visual art; that the images speak for themselves. Words play a significant role in some of your art. Why do feel it’s important to incorporate them into your pieces? What’s your favourite word?
WS: I think I use the words as reminders to myself and I think others need them too. Words are powerful and if used properly can uplift us or bring us through hard times. My favourite word right now is “Believe” – I always need to remind myself to believe in myself and my dreams.
MC: In terms of a medium or style, do you ever step out of your comfort zone?
WS: I think you always have to get out of your comfort zone. In art I think that’s how you have to grow. When I take a course or workshop it’s about stepping out of my comfort zone and learning a new technique. I recently took a course in torch-fired enamelling – now all I need to do is to push myself to set up my torch! (Laughing)
MC: If you had a dream project, what would it be?
WS: I find I’m always working on small projects with a particular purpose, for example, for a workshop or a show. So I think right now that would be to give myself time to create something new. I would like to create some wild new jewellery design – preferably without a budget! (Laughing) I think ultimately working on a dream project, for me, has to do with having unlimited time to create a project to see where it would go.
MC: What advice would you give to someone entering a creative field like yours?
WS: Be true to yourself. If you’re true to yourself, things have a way of falling into place. And don’t give up. If things don’t work the first, second or third time, figure out what’s wrong and try fixing it until you get it right. Most importantly, if you want to make a living with art, know that making art is a business – it’s not just about making your art; it’s about being able to sell it, too! Take the time to look at the whole picture of what it means to make and sell your art. Find somebody that’s doing something similar to you and begin seeing all the sides of how they set up their business. For example, how they market their art. Ask yourself: are you willing to go all the way to become a working artist? Maybe you’re not meant to make a living with your art; perhaps you just do it for fun, to enjoy yourself and that’s fine, too.
Wendy Southin's hands… small, delicate yet also strong and agile… these fingers can do the most intricate bead and jewellery work.
MC: If you had a superpower what would it be?
WS: To clean the house in minutes so I had much more time to create! (Laughing)
MC: What can’t you do without?
WS: My studio space… having a space that’s always there for me.
MC: What are your professional goals for the near future?
WS: Right now I’m letting things develop as they will. I guess at this point, I’m working intuitively and it feels like it’s working for the moment. Things just seem to be falling into place for me without me saying this is where you’re going exactly. In the last year I’ve been working this way because being goal-oriented hasn’t worked for me.
MC: What’s your favourite quote?
WS: My art business tag line: “Live a creative life.” – it goes hand in hand with my thoughts about living my art.
I’m constantly amazed by Wendy’s ability to be such a multi-talented artist. Wow, what I wouldn’t give to have her superpower too! Geez how would you make that happen, Wendy? – wiggle your nose?! You know, while I always feel a sense of satisfaction cleaning my place, sometimes I sure wish I had more time to simply relax or create. I bet so many of us would also love to have her fantasy of having some quality time with no budget to create something out-of-this-world! I’ve always wanted to make a music video– what about you?! Wendy’s business slogan of living a creative life really resonates with me – I whole-heartedly agree that creativity extends beyond the studio into our lives… into our kitchens when we’re tweaking recipes; into our closets when we’re choosing what outfit to wear or in our living rooms when we’re re-arranging things for a fresh new look. Nurturing our sense of creativity in the studio can enable us to enhance so many areas of our personal lives thus creating an overall sense of well being. Thanks for an insightful interview Wendy! It was such a privilege to learn more about your perspective as a creative. I’m so lucky to have you as a friend and colleague.
If you’d like to reach Wendy Southin to enquire about purchasing her pieces, securing commissions or taking workshops, you can email her at: wendysouthin@gmail.com. If you’d like to learn more about her world, be sure to check out her Dragonfly Dreamers Blog. She’d also love to have you visit her Dragonfly Dreamers Christmas Arts & Crafts Open House on Sunday, November 10, 2013 – a warm, down-home affair with lots of great gift ideas and tasty (healthy!) holiday treats!
Other Related Links:
Interview with Wendy Southin: Living the Creative Life, Part I
Dragonfly Dreamers Gate Fold Book Workshop: Students’ Pieces
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