We recently connected with Adrienne Pratt and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Adrienne, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I am very happy and satisfied with my career as an artist. It satisfies my creative expressions, and it “feels” like it what I should be doing.

The word Risk is defined as “a situation involving exposure to danger”. Does that mean risks are dangerous? I think of the definition for myself as more as a leap of faith, or taking a chance, as well as being true to myself. Maybe risk taking seems dangerous, a possibility for an unknown failure. My dear friend says “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no”, and I really try to consider this when options for risk taking are in front of me.

Risks do not mean impulsivity; consider the options, meditate if it’s the right decision for you at the time (sometimes you have options, but they may be for years or months from now). Ultimately, I think it’s about listening to your gut, being true and honest with yourself for what you want.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

From when I was a child, I always would envision myself as a painter. I imagined a white room with green plants, and an easel, with paints, next to a window. It has been my dream to be an artist from that time on. I had the gift of attending a high school where I could start to form that dream, and have been maintaining the goal of what I envisioned as a child.

I was working more of a jobby job when I met my husband, who had an art gallery. We created some very well received shows, and it reignited my passion to create art for myself. As we were curating shows, I would ask myself “why not me”? I like to help people find their creative expressions- with invitations, website building, logo and designs, but I would still feel something was missing.

They say find something you love, and although I have tried other careers, I ALWAYS come back to that dream. The pandemic was a gift in the aspect that my custom art jobs dropped to zero during this time (weddings cancelled for invitations, people closing businesses); my part time corporate job ended 2 weeks before the pandemic. I had the gift of time to really sit and think of how I wanted to continue my artistic career, which led me to stop doing the art jobs that I found to no longer be satisfying. I was able to look at what I REALLY wanted to do for myself, and started to paint as I wanted, not for clients. Best decision ever! Finding my own fulfilling happiness, having customers really support it and like it as a result was the cherry on top.

Although I did find when my clients were happy with my products, it was of course fulfilling, but it was more fulfilling when I started to create JUST for myself, to see where it would take me. And wouldn’t you guess- that changed was well received, and my art was the most popular and successful than before.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

yes. The one I have cultivated for the last 3 years- to Thine Own Self Be True (Gotta love Hamlet)!

Am I compromising my goal for someone else?
Am I open to feedback and suggestions?
Did I do my best? Can I walk away knowing I did my best?

These are some of the questions I try to ask myself. One cannot live in a hermetically sealed bubble; I find inspiration everywhere I choose to look. I try to keep my thoughts and ideas for a clear review for myself and work (if that makes sense). Try to make sure my work is a reflection of the above questions.

Also- be cool and gentle with myself. If that means I start something, and if it’s not what I want, I will put it to the side to look at it later, to look at with a clearer eye. It also means I may take several incarnations until I get where I want to be artistically- and that is ok! Art for me is a process.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Embracing my creative expression is a rule I try to live by.

I also truly believe that anyone can be creative- It takes willingness, time, and being kind to yourself. We all have the power to achieve and create, and art is everywhere! It is like that for everything we do, you just have to be open to it, and the time, willingness and self kindness is key.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.porkchopstickstudios.com
• Instagram: @porkchopstickstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/porkchopstickstudios/
• Other: I am in the process of opening a new Brick and mortar shop in Stonington, called the Ship Shape Shop. It will be a studio space, retail space, as well as offering fine art appraisals. stay tuned!