We recently connected with NancyJeanette Long and have shared our conversation below.

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

As far back as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be a painter. My mother was a “Sunday Painter” painter herself but she had the eye of an artist. Our home always had reproductions of famous artists on the walls and my bookshelves were filled with books on art. The book the most tattered pages was Janson’s Story Of Painting: From Cave Painting To Modern Times. “The Twittering Machine”, by Paul Klee calls to me and haunts my dreams to this day. However, because “life happens”, and because I was a “good student,” I was directed to more “practical” areas of study. It was years before I could find the courage – and the time – to rekindle my love of art.

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

Giving myself permission to let my dreams come true has been very hard for me. For years I concentrated on work and family with very little time or thought for what I really wanted to do with my life. When my child was born, I suddenly realized that, just as I wanted him to lead the life he dreams of, I, too, needed to re-evaluate my goals and my life path. Where was the art career I had planned?

Starting with just a couple of painting classes, I determined to make time and place for art. With renewed enthusiasm for pursuing my own dreams, I found a job teaching art which allowed me to share the joys of creating with others. Although I do love painting, I think I might be best at helping other artists find their own creative potential. I’ve taught art in schools and privately for many years, and I still follow my former students with pride on social media. It sincerely believe that every one of us has a creative soul to be nourished. If I can be a part of feeding that creative soul in an individual, I have truly achieved something worthwhile in this life.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 1995, I gave up my art classroom to pursue a new direction starting a graphic design/website company. It was rough going for a few years as I tried to balance work and my personal art career. I found myself devoting all my time and energy to running a business which turned out to less about the art I loved and more about technology. I found it hard to give myself permission to take time for painting while I was busy concentrating on making a living. Like many others, I lost touch with my dreams in favor of making money.

It was not until I decided to step back from the website business – working only part time as a consultant – that I began to correct my course. I found the time and space to take my artwork seriously. In stepping back, I found the perspective I needed to continue my own art journey and to contribute new ideas to help other artists struggling with the problems of managing an art career. I still work for 11 Fingers Design, but today, I take pride in helping develop exciting new tools for artists to make it easier for them to concentrate on creativity rather than technology. We’ve just released a new platform called My Artwork Portfolio to simplify keeping up with artwork and art shows. I know this will help artists trying to juggle the process of creating art with the demands of building an art career.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Once I was in the faculty lounge at school and found myself whining and complaining with the others about how much there was to do and where we could find the time to do it. Then one of the teachers said, “Well, you don’t have to do what you have to do.” Everyone looked at her and then we went back to complaining.

I laughed at the time, thinking she was a bit “spacey” and missing the point of the entire conversation.

Years later, her words keep coming to mind. When I start my day by listing the mountain of tasks on my “TO DO” list, I need to hear her words again. I don’t have to do what I have to do, but I do have to do what is important to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DisRemembering.com |  www.MyArtworkPortfolio.com
• Instagram: @nancyjtte
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJeanetteArt/