We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Courtney Utter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Learning? I’m still learning lol! I really started to dive into my artistic side after I lost my left arm. I wanted to feel like I did pre-accident so I just tried experimenting with different mediums. I get my inspiration from other artist and while I make them my own, I think that’s how a lot of artists get inspired.

Speeding up the artistic process probably would have come earlier if I felt more confident in my abilities. And to be honest sometimes art supplies are expensive!

Obviously the obstacles in my way were working with one arm. It’s extremely frustrating at times but that’s the cards I was dealt and it’s not like my arm will grow back!

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 started making art after my Christmas Day 2016 accident when I lost my left arm. I needed some outlet to feel whole again and started with resin. From there I started experimenting with different mediums such as acrylic, spray paint etc. I’ve used old pages from books as a backdrop for some of my acrylic work which makes for a unique look. I love color and like to work on larger pieces. A lot of my work is abstract because we all are a little abstract, aren’t we?

I’d like for people to be inspired by me and my work. If I can create art with one arm I want others to feel like they can do something that seemed impossible.

We’re all unique and different but I’d sure like people to know me and my art. I’m most proud of my attitude and the not going to give up outlook. If someone were to buy a piece of my art I’d love them to tell others they got it from that one-armed artist!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Previously I mentioned my accident. It was Christmas Day 2016. My then 10 year old niece wanted to ride in our side by side all terrain vehicle. The wind was blowing hard that day and it ended up rolling the ATV onto my side. My arms were flung outside of the vehicle and we slid along the street pavement.

There was talk of me being airlifted to the hospital but the EMT’s could get me there faster. I spent 2weeks in ICU. I was sent home on a Sunday. On Wednesday I had an appointment to follow up with my trauma surgeon. While getting ready to leave the vascular graft in my arm broke. I was bleeding out. My husband acted as my human tourniquet and rushed me back to the hospital where I had emergency surgery.

The doctor came out to talk to my family after my surgery only to tell them my arm was dying and needs to come off.

Two days later on Friday January 13, 2017 my left arm was amputated changing my life forever. It was unthinkable.

I needed to feel pre-accident Courtney so I started working with different art media. I was encouraged by what I could do and kept experimenting.

My resilience after my amputation has kept me going. And hope gain some new admirers!!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me personally is seeing the finished product knowing I did that! A lot of times I’ll gift my art to friends. The appreciation they have for what I’ve done is certainly motivation for me to keep pushing myself and to see what else I can do!

When I have a piece commissioned taking it to the client and seeing their response is quite overwhelming. I’m very pleased that I can, in some small way, help their vision come to fruition.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtney_utter_texas
• Facebook: Courtney Utter

Image Credits
All were taken by me or my family