We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Patrick Feeney. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Patrick below.
Patrick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Creative flow is a state of immersion so intense that my awareness of the outer world recedes. I lose track of time and experience feelings sparking joy and total engagement. I find my zone of enjoyment while I’m tinkering in my cozy crafting corner, cooking up a concoction in my witch’s kitchen, or experimenting on a digital canvas with cinematic effects for my social media content. When I am not creatively challenged, I become bored. But when challenged too much, I become frustrated. How I get unstuck from a creative block is by accepting that confusions and failures are key ingredients of learning the craft – turning my disappointment around into success and a creative force.
Creative flow occurs when high difficulty is balanced with skill level. All people can produce creative work in their “regular job” or field of expertise. While we may have a dominant side, both sides of the brain work together to stimulate creativity. Many of today’s common inventions were at one time uncommon, newly introduced concepts. So, what makes me truly blessed as both an artist and scientist? It is the gift of neurodiversity – generating multiple ideas or solutions, discovering unexpected connections, and envisioning possibilities by tuning into the imagination. Creativity is our intelligence having fun! Also, our social environment can cultivate creativity and innovation. I learned to trust my creative instinct and gained the certainty that the world I build is not only valid, but necessary if my community, and the whole world is to move forward.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am the mastermind and mood maker behind Petals and Feathers apothecary, specializing in homemade botanical recipes, colorful candles, and artisanal soap. Handcrafted with pride for all occasions, I use intention-backed ingredients, including different parts of plants with aroma-therapeutic and medicinal indications for vibrant health and spiritual healing. In 2019, I launched a line of small-batch Herbal Alchemy candles and dried floral potpourri which has since expanded to include a variety of self-care items, home décor, and more.
I found candle and soap-making was something I loved. As a hobby, it was a great way to focus my creativity as well as connect with other LGBTQ+ artists and makers, helping to encourage each other’s entrepreneurial journey. Since starting my business I have collaborated with artistically-minded fellows whose talents include photography, illustration, costume design, jewelry, and macrame.
At an early age, I fell in love with the visual, performing & language arts, and sociological sciences which led me to make a “regular” career from it. I earned my MBA in marketing from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California. I also traveled to Japan and worked as an English teacher, where I encountered a greater appreciation and reverence for living in harmony with nature. I chose a Japanese cherry blossom – or Sakura for part of my business logo as a symbol of appreciating change and renewal. Because the flowers appear for a short time, it inspires me to be more present here-and-now, and to see the fleeting beauty and transience of life, a major theme in Buddhism.
Why did I choose the name Petals and Feathers for the shop? The arrow and flower wand are symbolic of the power of air and earth, reaching skyward while being rooted in the ground to grow and prosper. The three leaves stand for my charitable philosophy to promote nature conservation, pet rescue, and advancing equality & justice for all!
Outside of my hobby business, I am a freelance infographic designer and statistician; contracted by a tribally owned consulting company to analyze the Government’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Missions for NASA. I also volunteer on NASA outreach projects to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education, as well as intersectional LGBTQ+ Pride and ally campaigns, both locally and nationally.
I currently reside in Lake Nona, Florida with my business partners and besties Michael and Russ, and a busy Boston Terrier named Grimm. While living my best life, I am perfecting my craft as an artist and continuing to share my green path and plant passion for herbalism. I am a runner, biker, foodie, traveler, and obsessed with astrology and star-gazing.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Pay us, not corporations. Cheap mass-produced goods often travel great distances, while exploiting labor and the planet! Support local artists, makers, and designers financially as much as you possibly can. Contribute to creativity by giving them custom commissions and repeat patronage. Shopping small helps someone’s dreams soar. Other non-monetary ways to help our creative hive to thrive include just hyping up a small business owner. Follow, like, and share their content. Leave a thoughtful commentary. Tell your friends and family. Sign up for their newsletter or write a sensational positive review. This engagement goes a long way to boost discoverability, and ultimately sustainability so that artists and creatives can flourish.
Don’t be shy to introduce yourself to your favorite creators. We’d love to hear from you, even if just to express a compliment, question, or concern. Open up the dialogue, share best practices, and cultivate a collaborative rather than competitive environment. The phrase “A rising tide lifts all boats” was made famous by John F. Kennedy and is associated with economics, however it plays an important role in the creative workforce as well. To benefit all participants, always support and respect others! Finally, give credit where credit is due. Give them a shout-out if you borrow inspiration from someone’s original artwork.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Going above and beyond…without receiving the compensation and recognition that I deserved. To avoid burnout from doing extra unpaid work and getting no satisfaction, I had to unlearn always saying “yes” to more and normalize saying “yes” to less. Workplace culture has gone through many seismic shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the “great resignation” and growing trend of “quiet quitting.” Hard work is rewarded…with more hard work. I started to realize this after experiencing mounting levels of stress, overwhelm, and anxiety at my day job. Setting healthy boundaries helped me regain some control, managing my corporate career plus my side hustles, and the never-ending demands of life. Additionally, I recommend carving out time blocks for relaxation, and realigning how work fits into our lives and not the other way around – to better support work-life integration.
Contact Info:
- Website: petalsandfeathers.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/petalsandfeathersshop
- Facebook: facebook.com/PetalsandFeathersShop
- Other: tiktok.com/@petals.and.feathers
Image Credits
@viktor38b, @mikel_m_designs, @bulldogpunk, @givememooreart, @venusenvydrag, @dollya.black