We recently connected with Samantha Boyd and have shared our conversation below.

Samantha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

The kindest thing someone has ever done for me is hard to narrow down. So many people in my life, especially now, have been so kind and supportive of me through so much throughout my life, both good and bad. I know that many think of acts of kindness to others as monetary or material things, but I also feel like having someone believe in you in just the moment you need it is extremely powerful as well. So, with that being said, I feel the kindness thing someone has done for me is to believe in me. For a long time, I stopped creating. It wasn’t because I didn’t love creating anymore, far from it actually. I absolutely love and adore being able to create different forms of art with my hands and from the heart. But I stopped. I stopped while I was trying to heal mentally, physically, and emotionally from some very trying times that had turned my life upside down. I just couldn’t bring myself to make anything, even though it was a beautiful form of expression, and even therapy, for me. The desire was there, but the energy to get everything out and just make something wasn’t. My husband, my partner, my family, and several of my closest rallied around me and encouraged me to just pick up a paintbrush for a bit again. They got me little art things for gifts, supported me through my healing journey, and encouraged me to just try for myself, no one else. I was routinely told (and still am) that my art was wonderful, and even if someone didn’t purchase it, it still should be shared with others in some way. That little shove, that little bit of belief in me, helped me slowly dive back into the depths of creation again. So now, because of that support, whatever free time I have from life, school, parenting, etc., I am creating in some way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Samantha Boyd, and it is wonderful to meet you all. I’m a lot of things in life. I’m a wife, a partner, a mother, a daughter, a friend, and a confidante. I’m neurospicy (Autistic, ADHD, OCD). I enjoy being outdoors; it is my happy place and being in dirt, around plants, and in nature in general allows me a peace that I can’t find in other ways or even put into words sometimes.

I’m an Artist (a creatrix at my core), Full time student (working towards my undergrad in Environmental Science), Intuitive Mentor, Teacher, Reiki Master, Consultant for Authors using magic in their works, slowly working towards my certification as a Yoga Instructor, Clairvoyant, Clairsentient, Medium, and use different forms of divination in all aspects of my everyday life. Working with energy is my joy, and it is energy that we all are and eventually go back to.

My creations, practice, and my journey throughout the years has fluctuated a lot with what I needed, where I was, how I perceived myself and surroundings in that time, and who was around me. Over time I learned, as many learn, that while situations, surroundings, and individuals can influence how you live and how you practice, it’s not the end all be all. You need to be willing to learn from those moments and find your own path through it all. We all stumble and fall, but picking ourselves back up can be such an amazing feeling and accomplishment when you don’t know which way is up or down. Everything I have gone through in life has helped lead me to where I am today. Were those things meant to be? Who knows truthfully. But I do know that for myself at least, that even through the bad things that I have experienced in my life, it allowed me to dig deeper into myself and create a more fulfilling, joyous, and amazing life. Will everyone have that same outcome? No, probably not.

Creating is where my heart is. Sometimes, when I sit in front of a canvas, I have no idea what I am going to create, I just let the energy lead me. I enjoy not only creating for myself but creating for others as well. When someone asks me if I am willing to do a commission for them, often they will come to the table with the phrase “create something for me from the heart, follow the energy”. So, that is primarily what I do. The type of work I do varies on what I happen to pick up in the moment, or whatever may be requested for a commission. Sometimes they are acrylic pours, watercolors, abstract, or a combination of all of them. But whatever medium I am working with, it is always a joy to do so. I have been creating in one way or another since I could pick up a crayon when I was a toddler. My art has shifted and changed over the years, much like I have. But I feel those shifts and changes allow for a beautiful form of growth to come forward, a way for us to connect with ourselves and others more openly and deeply.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Supporting an artist or other creative doesn’t always mean monetary. While yes, many of us absolutely appreciate and definitely do need that financial aspect of support through purchasing our art (we have bills to pay, too), there are many other ways that you can support another creative. Share their social media posts, comment, and interact with them. If they ask for input, be open and give it. If they are showcasing their art somewhere and you can go see it in person, go and check it out. If you know an artist personally and have been able to experience and appreciate their work, then share your experience with others. Even saying “this looks amazing” or “great job” can go a long way. As creatives, we are our worst critics more times than not, so sharing encouraging words can be extremely helpful. Sharing and interacting literally takes a click of a button, commenting and a kind word takes a few seconds. Support in any form can mean the absolute world to a creative and can even be a matter of them continuing to create or never creating again.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I feel like this can vary from creative to creative. Each of us have different types of journeys and reasons as to why we do what we do. But one thing I can encourage non-creatives to think about is to be open and understanding. Yes, our journeys are different than yours, and we take a path that is not known as “secure” to many in careers and financial aspects, but it is what our hearts call out to; it is part of who we are. Think of it this way. We constantly tell our children or other children around us to chase after their dreams, reach high, to do what brings them joy. Some want to be doctors, astronauts, scientists, singers, dancers, ride horses, play sports, and yes, even create. We don’t discourage them then, so why discourage those same individuals when they are older from chasing after what calls to them, what they desire to do? If they have the ability to do it, if it is something they want, it takes nothing for you to just support them and lift them up. We all were once children, dreaming big and reaching for the stars. There is no reason why we can’t still do that now, regardless of our age or where we are in life.
Creation can be soothing, calming, inspiring, encouraging, life changing, and lifesaving. This goes not just for the individual experiencing the art or creation, but also for the individual creating it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wildonerising.com
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• Twitter: @iamsamanthaboyd
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