Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lorraine Padgett. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lorraine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I am currently in the middle of quitting my regular 9-5 job as I write this. Not because I plan to pursue being an artist full-time (at least not yet), but because it wasn’t fulfilling me. It was draining me, and draining my creative spirit. I’ve been a creative my entire life, from the time I was coming up with stories using random objects around the house as a child, to when I got my first camera at 12, to when I started writing fictional stories on my mom’s laptop. I have always been drawn towards the creative ways of expressing myself, as those were often the only times I felt that I could express myself authentically. So yes, I’m very happy to be an artist, and whether or not I can pursue it full-time, I will continue to find ways to create no matter what. It gives me purpose unlike anything else. Working a regular job while trying to balance my creative passions is incredibly hard, and some days I have zero creative energy. However, I try to remind myself that this is normal; that the inspiration to create ebbs and flows with life. It’s hard being an artist in a world where working a “regular” job is the only way to live comfortably and is what is expected of you. I hope that one day I’ll be able to focus solely on creating- whether it be writing a book, pursuing photography as more than a hobby or selling my jewelry at a larger scale.

Lorraine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Lorraine Padgett, and I’m a small business owner, photographer, writer and social media marketer living in Soquel, California. I graduated with a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Up until recently, I have been working as a Development Assistant in the Arts at the University of California, Santa Cruz, however I decided it was not the right fit for me. I will be starting a new job soon as a Social Media Marketing Specialist for several restaurants in the area, where I’ll get to use my creativity and small business skills. I’ve been a creative and artistic person my entire life, however my passions were truly ignited during my time at UCSB and during the COVID pandemic in 2020. At UCSB, I joined the photography club and began practicing portrait photography, which I soon realized I loved. During the pandemic, I had moved back home to Santa Cruz and was looking for creative projects to work on during lock down. One night I decided to try making polymer clay earrings just for fun. After posting about it on Instagram a few times, my friends expressed an interest in buying the earrings. From there, I began selling earrings casually through Instagram, but after a few months it blossomed into a full on small business. I came up with the name “Rainbow’s Clay” because “Rainbow” is one of my nicknames. Soon, I started doing makers markets in town, and using my photography skills to take product photos. I have a Shopify website and once I started getting online orders, I was shipping all over the country. It happened so fast, I can still hardly believe it. What started as a creative outlet during a really difficult time turned into something I had never dreamed of. Somehow, being my own boss just felt right. I had to learn how to do everything from designing products, to marketing, to taking inventory, to packaging and shipping, etc. It has been an amazing learning experience. Once I started working full-time at UCSC, business slowed down, but I still make time for it. It has truly been one of the most fulfilling things of my life, and I often don’t give myself enough credit for how insane it was to start a small business during a pandemic.

Besides my jewelry business, I reignited my passion for photography during the pandemic as well. I started taking film photos, and more recently, have done an engagement and maternity photoshoot for close friends. I forgot how exciting it was to direct a photoshoot and to see how happy people are with the results. So, I decided to publish a new photography website and am going to attempt booking clients and doing it for real. On top of this, I recently started to re-write an old fictional story I started to write when I was about 11 or 12. I’ve been itching to write creatively again after having to write for academic purposes for so long. Writing is one of the best ways I can express myself – it comes much more naturally than speaking to me. I’ve been story telling in some capacity since I was a young child, and I’ve always dreamed of being a book author. I hope to achieve that goal someday, no matter how long it may take.

Basically, I have a million different passion projects and ideas and can never focus my energy entirely on just one. I think this is simply the life of an artist, and I’m okay with it. I may have to work a “regular” 9-5 job for a while longer as that’s just the reality of living where I live and having the life I want, but I will always make time for art. Without it, I don’t know who I would be.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is being able to see a vision come to life, and witnessing the reactions of those who get to experience or purchase or be involved in your art. When I have an idea for a new earring design for example, and then a few days later that design comes to life, it’s extremely rewarding. What’s even more rewarding is when I promote that new design to my followers, friends and family, and they’re just as or even MORE excited than I am about it. Seeing that excitement from people and getting to share that with them is one of the best parts of being a small business owner. I wear all the hats, and it takes a lot of time and energy, so when the result comes out exactly as you had envisioned (or sometimes even better), there’s no feeling like it. It’s always worth it. When I’m selling my jewelry at markets and get to see people looking at my work, complimenting it and genuinely supporting me, all of the hard work is immediately paid off. This goes for photography as well. Having an idea for a photoshoot and then executing it and getting to go through the photos and edit them later – it’s such a thrill. When I get to send my friends their final edited photos, such as my friend who recently got engaged, their reactions of joy and excitement make me feel so happy. That’s a feeling that never gets old!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I am actually in the middle of a major pivot right now. I’ve always been torn between working a “regular” 9-5 job to make a stable income and save for my future, which is what you’re expected to do, or taking a risk and pursuing my creative passions full time. It’s a scary thought, but I have seen it work out for so many people, so it’s always in the back of my mind. For a year and a half, I’ve been working an administrative job at a university. It’s my first full-time job after college, so it’s been a big learning experience for me and has tested my resilience. It’s in a field I never once thought about, but I pictured it as a good stepping stone to whatever is next. Plus, it helped me move out of my mom’s house and into my own apartment. As a creative and a Sociology graduate, my “career path” has never been clear. However, it is clear to me that this job was not right for me. Instead of feeling motivated, I felt downright exhausted and drained and like no matter what, I was never doing enough. In the last month my mental health has taken a serious hit, and I decided I had to take action for my well-being. I have decided to leave that job and pursue a social media marketing position because it will allow me to utilize more of my creativity. It won’t be as stable, and is only part-time at first, but I still know in my gut it was the right decision. Plus, it will give me the gift of time to work on my creative projects that I haven’t had the energy for. This is a major pivot in my life, and I have no idea where it will take me. However it was necessary for me to step back and re-evaluate where I want to go and what I want to do. Change is scary – but I don’t have any regrets. It’s important to listen to what you need and switch things up if it isn’t feeling right. I’m excited to be on a new, more creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rainbowsclay.com
• Instagram: @lorrainboww, @rainbowsclay, @lorraineslens
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-padgett-she-her-6a200014b/