We recently connected with Beth Fields and have shared our conversation below.

Beth , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been one of the most interesting investments you’ve made – and did you win or lose? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

I’ve never regretted a dollar I’ve spent on workshops and classes that support my growth as an artist. I’ll give a special shout out to Wanderlust, the mixed media art journaling course offered by Everything Art. It’s a yearlong course with weekly lessons exploring a wide range of mixed media materials and techniques. You have lifetime access to the coursework so you can pace yourself as you complete the lessons. The community of people I’ve connected with has been so supportive, including a group of us who bonded back in 2021 and have made trips together to create our own art retreat experiences drawing on concepts learned in the course. Every time I’ve stepped out of what I’m usually working on to seek out a learning opportunity, I have seen a direct effect on my work. In person workshops, online classes, YouTube videos, artist demonstrations – the options are endless as well as endlessly rewarding.

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

I am a potter and mixed media artist. The diversity of working as a multi-medium artist allows me to create encaustic collage and acrylic pieces that feature vintage ephemera as well as hand built pottery pieces with architectural details inspired by a love of old buildings, including my signature “D’ornaments”. My love for these elements also comes through with my Artfully Remade Journals, photo prints of historic building elements, and stitching pieces with vintage themes that whisper of a past repurposed. I’ve always been crafty and creative but only gave myself the freedom to call myself an artist about 5 years ago. The incredible support I’ve received along my artist journey inspired me to collaborate with Andrea Holmes to found My Fairy Art Mother, a source for tips and advice for all those creatively inclined. We look forward to publishing our book on art mentorship and the power of the individual artist’s journey and welcome the opportunity to serve as Fairy Art Mothers to those needing a boost of support on their own creative path.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

There are many layers of support a society can offer for artists and creatives in order to build a thriving creative ecosystem. It begins with the big picture view of communities and schools prioritizing access to the arts. Keeping museums open and well funded with activities to entice art lovers of all ages, protecting art education programs and making sure emergent creatives are nurtured as they grow into the creative pursuits that inspire them.

I’m lucky to live in McKinney, TX, which has a designated cultural district that makes supporting art a priority. I had the opportunity to collaborate with our Historic Downtown McKinney for a public art installation of over 50 tiny doors around our charming square. McKinney Tiny Doors gave me the opportunity to leverage my love for doors into an installation that elevated the work of our vibrant creative community. I served as the Artist Coordinator, pairing artists with businesses and supporting the installation process while also producing doors to contribute to the installation. Now that the doors are installed, visitors of all ages are captivated to see these miniature works of art attached to the historic buildings of our square. Having this kind of art investment in a community helps to center art and creativity in the public sphere and cultivates a sense of whimsy and wonder in these shared spaces. It sends the message that art can elevate our day to day lives and that the creativity that others express can inspire us for our own creative pursuits.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I have always been drawn to creative pursuits but I struggled with thinking of myself as an artist. In my mind, an artist was someone with an MFA who created art full time and was well established with artwork in museums and galleries. I was a dabbler, I was crafty, I was creative, but to say Artist seemed to imply a level of achievement that I didn’t have the training or accomplishments in order to deserve the label. As I made more space in my life for art making activities that put me into a flow state, my brain began actively asking for “more of this, please.” It made me realize that the artist identity came from the making, and if I was making art then I was an artist. It motivated me to make a major job change so I could clear more space and time for art in my daily life.

There’s so much in our culture that gatekeeps around art and tries to define creativity in a very narrow way. Many people have stories from their lives when someone told them their drawing wasn’t good or their body wasn’t right for dancing or they shouldn’t raise their voice to sing. Artists that meet our society’s definition just persisted in practicing despite what others had to say about the validity of their interest or the size of their talent. People may say “I’m not very creative” but then they spend their free time planting an amazing garden, writing a computer program, or tinkering in a workshop. Connecting with pursuits that bring your brain into a flow state is a form of creative expression, even if there isn’t a completed painting to hang in a museum at the end of your session. Learning a more expansive definition of being an artist is one of the biggest gifts I’ve given to myself and I love watching others open up to their own creative expression as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bethfieldsfineart.com/
• Instagram: @bethfieldsfineart
• Facebook: Beth Fields Fine Art
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-vJZau5dvdgAPm8HZvugg
• Other: My Fairy Art Mother: www.myfairyartmother.com McKinney Tiny Doors: www.visitmckinney.com/mckinneytinydoors

Image Credits
Renea Dominique, Beth Fields