We caught up with the brilliant and insightful October Whispers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, October Whispers thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I have developed my own techniques over trail and errors, and have found what works best for my creative process. In a painting, I am most comfortable working with acrylic paints but I have been known to intertwine watercolor and acrylics in some of my work along with adding other details with markers and other items. I use my hands a lot in my work. I like to feel the paint on the canvas and I sometimes use my fingers to blend the paint. I am a hands on learner, so getting my hands on a painting during my process helps me to find where the painting is taking me.
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.
As a self-taught artist based in Fort Myers, Florida, I specialize in acrylic paints, paint markers, and watercolor pencils. I also organize artists in Bootleggers Alley for artwalk and music walk events, providing them a platform to showcase their work. My artistic journey is driven by a desire to refine my skills and craft pieces that foster emotional connections, encouraging viewers to explore their feelings positively. Through vivid strokes on canvas, I delve into the depths of human emotions and mental health, offering a bridge to those who resonate with unspoken turmoil and inviting viewers to embrace vulnerability in shared experiences.
Furthermore, I aspire to create pieces that people can readily relate to. I want my art to serve as a comforting presence for individuals navigating difficult emotions. When someone encounters a certain feeling, I hope they can turn to one of my pieces and find something to connect with, enabling them to express and understand their emotions more deeply.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
As an artist, the most fulfilling aspect for me is when someone deeply connects with one of my pieces. My work isn’t typical living room decor; they evoke something personal, they are often found in more intimate spaces like bedrooms. Sometimes they’re not conventionally pretty; they can be dark and messy. And it’s those pieces – that make people stop in their tracks because they resonate with it and they feel a connection through my work. I want to create things that people can relate to so that when they are having trouble with a certain feeling, they can look at one of my pieces, and have something to connect with and express those feelings. So when that connection is made between someone and my pieces- it is something truly magical.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Creating art is more than just putting paint on a canvas or lines on paper. It’s a journey. Artists build their identity, tell stories, and express emotions through their work. It’s not easy; it takes a lot of internal work to create pieces that deeply connect with viewers. These artworks aren’t just decorations; they’re parts of the artist’s soul laid bare on canvas.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/october_whispers?igsh=MXNpdTVqNmV1c2o4bA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Octoberwhispers?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@octoberwhispersart?_t=8jh4TE9MWcM&_r=1 Linktree: https://linktr.ee/october_whispers
Image Credits
Ash-Marie Hernandez – Art With Love Photography