Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wendy Angle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Wendy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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 started painting about 7 years ago. While I have always been interested in the arts and have dabbled at numerous mediums throughout my life, the turning point came when I was introduced to resin.

I am a sign language interpreter by trade. It does not seem to be a coincidence that many other interpreters have an artistic/creative side. An interpreters work is quite unique in that a good interpretation channels the words and intentions of those you interpret, putting your own identity on the backburner.
Creative outlets seem to be a way for many of us to express our own thoughts and feelings. (Most of my interpreter friends do some sort of knitting, crochet, drawing, photography, etc. )

After my children were born I cut back from full time interpreting but still needed that need for self expression. With two little ones and two different sleeping schedules, I found myself up at all hours of the night. I would find myself watching endless hours of people creating on YouTube and stumbled across acrylic pouring. If you know anything about me, you’d know that once I decide to do something, I’m in , 200 percent. So I bought all the materials and would spend any free time playing with the paints. I love the science and art of fluid painting. Discovering color theory and playing with the densities and additives to the fluid paintings are so hypnotic and peaceful. I expanded to alcohol inks, textured medium etc. but would always be saddened when the liveliness of the colors faded when they dried. Watching more videos, I discovered that you could coat the paintings with resin to bring them back to life. I was hooked!

Soon, i put the acrylic aside and opted to dye my resins. I added mixatives like mica, glass, mirror, sand, shell, pretty much anything I could. I am a Florida girl, so of course I am drawn to the ocean and making “resin wave” paintings. Though I mainly focus on oceanscapes, I am constantly learning new things. My best techniques have been learned through my mistakes and things not going as planned. I have learned that trying to force a plan in an intuitive art form will lead to paintings that are stunted and unnatural. Funnily enough, as I’m sure other artists can agree, its the “ones that got away from me” that end up getting the best response. Years later and I am still learning that once you learn the rules of the trade, you can then release them. That is where the real art is found.

Wendy , 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?

My materials are both found and purchased. I try to reuse any supplies I can, as resin work can be both an expensive and wasteful artform. The tempered glass I add in my work is mostly salvaged from people renovating their homes. I bring home the glass panels, clean them up and break them. Watching a huge panel of safety glass become a thousand little “diamonds” is so much fun.

Since I am local to the beaches, I incorporate local sand/shells in many of my paintings. Collectors have also given me sand and shells from their journeys and I can put those in their pieces as well. Adding their treasures bring a special connection to their piece. I love doing that.

Because my paintings are mostly beachscapes, I love to work on a large scale. Some of my paintings are 6 foot high by 4 foot across. My favorite compliment is when people stand right up against them and say they “just want to walk right in”. That always brings a smile to my face. Painting bring me a peace. It helps me disconnect and feel more connected all at once. Being able to provide someone that sense of escape yet connection is what makes me feel like an artist.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I don’t want to be tied down to one specific style or category of art. While I have a distinct style, I love the ability to explore a range of styles and mediums. It makes me happy that when my genre of art changes, people can still find me in each style. I think going from medium to medium keeps things fresher for me and an idea or technique in one area, gives me the inspiration to try and incorporate it into the next style. I have had more than one person tell me that the progression of my pieces in their home looks like it was done by several different artists! I love hearing that.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I feel so connected to the collectors who show my art in their home. While I am always proud of selling a painting, it can be a little sad to let some of them go, and I am in awe that I have always felt like they are going to good homes. I have made so many new friends since beginning my art journey. Collectors as well as artists and those in the art business. We are all kindred spirits that depend on each other. No one being more important than the other. It is a family and I cherish all those involved.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wendyangle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyangle.art/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wendyangle.art