Art has always been an intrinsic part
of my being. From a young age, I saw the world in shape and color, texture and
pattern. I marveled at the beauty in our little garden and created worlds
within my mind. My mother always said I had “an overactive imagination”! Little
did I know that this passion for art would lead me to the career I have today.
Looking back, I see that it was no
co-incidence that after graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, that I
somehow landed a teaching gig. I had the privilege of creating an entire art
curriculum at a private elementary school and for the first time, my artistic
ability was combined with educational instruction! I deeply loved the process!
However, life took me in many
directions and I dabbled in several creative careers including, interior
design, running a vintage Etsy shop and even creating my own organic skincare
line! One day, I decided to take an online art class and my life has never been
the same!
Now as a full time art instructor, I
not only get to share my love of creativity but have the honor and privilege of
leading others in it. Teaching and sharing my work online has brought me an
amazing opportunity to connect with others. Each day, I am astounded at how I
learn about myself through the process of teaching too!
Being online means being vulnerable
which means I am pushing up against my fears with each post and with each class
that I release. This has forced me to grow and expand in ways I never thought
possible.
My art feeds my teaching and my
teaching feeds my art. It has become a precious symbiotic relationship that has
nourished me like no other endeavor has before.
It is both the connection and growth
that I am experiencing now in my life that inspires me to do what I do. My
students share not only their art with me but their stories as well. Art
connects us deeply and through it we can open ourselves up in ways that no
words can. Like a sisterhood, it is this creative spirit that bonds us
together.
The beauty, magic and kindness that
is seen within the creative community is an endless inspiration to me. I am
grateful I can do the work that I do, while caring for my family, finding
incredible satisfaction in my artistic life and connecting to artists all over
the world. My hope for the future is to travel more, continue to grow as an
artist and meet more of my students in person!
This
is Week 35 of 52
Artists in 52 Weeks. Thank you for reading and sharing Ivy's sharing Ivy’s story today.
To connect with her and see more of her work, please visit the following links:
Website:
www.ivynewport.com
1 Blog:
www.graceandivy.wordpress.com
1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivynewportartist/
1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivynewport/
1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivyartis
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ivynewport/
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