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

Alright, Jayme thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

One thing is certain in life … we don’t always know which paths we will travel. Looking back, it wasn’t my intention to be sincerely dedicated to both writing books and painting. Over the years, and to this day my creative passions compete for time and energy, yet neither seems to fade away. Perhaps I’m hooked … addicted to these crafts that follow a never-ending learning trajectory–always new skills to practice, concepts to wrangle, and ideas to foster. Perhaps I simply enjoy the challenge, because both writing and art are two of the most difficult endeavors in my life. Call it a crazy dance, but I’m not willing to stop the music.

I learned early on that it’s essential to continually hone skills and knowledge of both writing and painting if I want to grow and evolve in the creative process. Initially, writing books was fostered by highly-respected and notable authors who served as personal mentors. I was fortunate to have people generous and willing with their talents and experiences to teach me. Also, I embraced the reality that being willing to put my writing “out there” for critique, editing, and LOTS of hours dedicated to the writing process was essential to bringing my story ideas to published books. At this juncture in my writing career, I have three traditionally published and award-winning books and am neck-deep in a fourth. Regrets? I wish I could say I write daily and profusely, but I don’t — at least not in the current season of life. Writers need to write. Period. And, if I hope to release the myriad of stories in my head into words, then I must write.

In reality, it’s the same for painting. Blank canvases, jars of brushes, and an array of paint hues beyond the rainbow don’t count for much while waiting for me in my studio. Painters must paint, and like writers, painters must dream. Regrets? I have plenty of unfinished paintings and compositions swirling in my head. Putting brush to canvas is the only remedy to grow and blossom as an artist. Largely, I am self-taught — though really there is no such thing. I’ve studied, appreciated, and learned from other artists, played with color and texture to establish my own style, and both taught art to hundreds (probably by now, thousands) of eager students, and learned just as much from them in return.

So, what could I have done differently to speed up, or possibly change the course of my personal creative process? I could have intently focused on one area — writing or art — forsake one for the “grander” success of the other. After all, we are all only human. But, even as the two disciplines ebb and flow, taking turns with the moment at hand, I seem to land on solid ground–my own little island where writing books and painting are my happy place.

Jayme , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For a long time, my author-self was a separate entity from my artist-self. I had two websites, separate client lists and newsletters, and often, conflicting calendars. However, a handful of years ago, I had an epiphany — though separate creative disciplines, both were merely reflections of me. Thus, my personal mantra, “Loosen the reins and lean into the creative life,” also became the branding tagline for my single, comprehensive website, that now, includes all of me and best serves others who join the creative journey.

My authorship includes both historical and contemporary novels, each containing elements of the transformative power of art. My upcoming release includes a rich dose of art history and the intrigue of art forgery as well. As much of fiction stems from reality, I love to share about the real people, places, and events behind my stories through excerpts, photos, and video. A teacher at heart, I enjoy helping aspiring writers and published authors drill down to the heart of their stories, not so much to edit, but to stir loose golden, story nuggets that must be told. One of the biggest and best outcomes of being an author, is speaking with individuals, small and large groups about my books, the writing and publishing process, and simply share the bliss of reading a good book.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

This is an interesting question, because really, there are many profoundly rewarding aspects to living a creative life. However, I never anticipated the great joy in being able to share my writing and artwork with others–it’s like offering your deepest, soul-filled parts of yourself, and others graciously inviting you in. In turn, readers and those who appreciate, and even purchase art, experience their own level of joy, and even hope. The creative process, though often a solitary endeavor, is very relational.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’ve always been a goal-setter, or perhaps a better way to define that is one who pursues purpose and calling in life. With writing, I’ve deduced that I am hopelessly wired to be a storyteller–from childhood to probably my last breath. The most challenging aspect is the arduous job of morphing seeds of swirling stories into complete novels. It’s the same with painting — images surface, colors catch my eye, and I have to return to the canvas. I’ve heard artists and authors say they must paint or write to be complete … I understand that now.

Do I desire to share the stories and pieces of art with others? Absolutely, as both processes demand a great deal of time and work– a shame if hidden or unknown. Would the benefit of receiving consistent and increasing monetary rewards be welcomed? Of course, as a creative, I consider what I make part of my work. However, ultimately, I will write and paint because … that’s who I am.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jaymehmansfield.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymemansfield/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaymehmansfield
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayme-mansfield-7ba9527b/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaymemansfield
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHog5qLSIkbF7ZtSEQaVaoQ
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/groups/531308627384046/ https://www.pinterest.com/jaymemansfield/