We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bayda Asbridge a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bayda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
Being an Arab women raised in the Middle East, I didn’t have a lot of say on what or where to study or what career to pursue in the 80s. I wanted to study art, but my father wanted me to study English literature because he could see more doors opening for me if I did. Financially children are tied down to their families too, so I had to follow my family’s advice. I finished my BA in English lit, Masters in TESLOL and started my PH.D. in Linguistics, which i never finished. I loved my field of study and I excelled but I was very miserable.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I worked as an ESL teach most of my life. I was still dreaming of going back to an art school and earning a degree in Fine Art. Then in 2010 I met a friend who loved my art and encouraged me to make art regardless of earning a degree. At that moment, once I went back to my passion, I felt fulfilled and satisfied. I was happy at last and focused on what I love most, being creative and making art every single day.
In 2016, I retired from teaching. Now, in the morning, I work as an Arabic interpreter at the local hospital. I love my job but it can be draining so I make sure I work part-time and the rest of my day is devoted for my art and creativity. Some artists mention that sometimes they suffer from art block. I don’t recall I ever had a problem with that. I have so many ideas but unfortunately I don’t have enough time to execute everything I sketched in my book.
I come from a family of artists. when I was young, I used to draw large figures on the walls of our home and that made my parents very proud. But that was not the right career for me, they thought. This didn’t stop me from pursuing art at the local institute where I learned sculpture, drawing and sketching.
I grew up to respect and cherish art and craft by placing both on the same pedestal. Objects my grandma held in her hands are as beautiful and precious as any piece of fine art.
I always admired Da Vinci and wanted to learn about anything and everything. so I am not comfortable with the compartmentation of art. I think of myself as a multi-media artist to level that space open for me to continue learning and experimenting with new aspects of art.
Even though I appreciate aesthetic art, my background channeled me towards social, political and human rights art to satisfy a need in my soul.
I am not religious but spiritual, and my art shows my appreciation for Asian art and high respect for mother nature and this wonderful earth we live on. most of my inspiration for my art (and my resources) come from nature, so I’m very thankful.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I think despite all odds, I found my passion in art after many years of waiting for the right moment. I was quite unhappy while waiting for the right moment to go back to an art, until I decided that there is no time to do that. I just have to make art and it has to be now. Since then, I haven’t stopped making art and I’m very content with where I am now. I wish I made that decision earlier.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
the most rewarding aspect is a spiritual one. I get a wonderful satisfaction after I finish a piece of art. I also enjoy the process and the challenges along the way. I wish I could make a living from my art to support myself financially, but that doesn’t stop my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.baydasart.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063673895547
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-bMDeUjTZo
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZKdKJPucU0