We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jean McGuire. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jean below.

Jean, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I grew up wanting to be an artist. However, for my generation, this was not a dream that was deemed very practical. The first expectation was that I would marry and be supported by a husband, the second expectation was that is I failed in the first, I would take a practical job. The job choices that I was offered were secretary, teacher, or nurse. None of these interested me, so I fell back on the first expectation. Almost 40 years later I returned to my art and I haven’t looked back since. I truly feel like my first love came back to me when art came back into my world.

Jean, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In 2014 I walked away from corporate without any idea what I was going to do with my life. I gave myself the gift of some time to figure it out while working part-time to help pay the bills. When I started a YouTube channel of yoga videos and a blog to share my thoughts, I had know idea what would come of these creative endeavors, but I knew I was stirring up energy. Six months later I received an invitation to join an oil painting session at a local artists studio. I went to bed that night regretfully telling myself I couldn’t afford the class; I woke up the next morning knowing I couldn’t afford not to. I felt safe in that space and began to get back in touch with my first love, painting.

Within a year, I knew I wanted to focus on my art. As of now, through thick and thin, I have gratefully pursued that dream.

I am an experimental painter who enjoys trying new things and challenging my brain and my skillset.

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

When I graduated from high school I decided that I wasn’t a good enough artist to pursue my art any further. I was convinced that I had only limited talent and besides, I couldn’t make a living with my art, so why bother. Even after I returned to painting, it took me years to silence the voice in my head comparing my work to other artists who I considered better. After all, they hadn’t given up on themselves and they had gone to school and had credentials to prove their value.

After enough self-work and positive feedback, I came to realize that while I couldn’t paint like these other artists, they didn’t paint like me. There is only one Jean McGuire and my challenge is to work the highest level I am capable of on any given day.

It hasn’t been a smooth arc, and there are plenty of times I have to remind myself of this, but it makes a great mantra when I focus on this truth.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Returning to my art later in life has challenged some acquaintances. I have been frequently asked if my art is my hobby. I struggle to keep in mind these people don’t understand the implications of this question. My art is my passion. It’s how I express myself. It’s how I try to show people how I see the world: in colors and shapes that not everyone sees. My art is deeply personal, but also meant to be seen by others.

Another misconception is that producing my work is fun. It’s hard hard when I am told to “have fun” when I tell someone I am going to the studio. For me, my work is gratifying, challenging, and necessary. While having something turn out well is wonderful, this is my passion, and I pursue it daily. I don’t like to consider it work, but my work is born out of a desire to share my vision, not to have fun.

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Image Credits
Photo by Jason Piggie