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Can you describe the time when you first realized that creating was something that you absolutely had to do?
I can't pin point the exact moment, but there is this amazing feeling you get when you've been working on something all day and it finally starts to represent your original idea. It is so satisfying having this notion that the ideas that are living inside your head really can be something you can hold, touch or see. I think anyone who feels compelled to create gets addicted to creating in the best sense, we all want the world to know what we are thinking and I think art is a great way of communicating who you are inside your head.
What kind of creative patterns, routines or rituals do you have?
I have my daily routine, which I always start with a cup of tea on my front door step. I like to take in the world around me at the start of the day, and sometimes I will see something that will change the course of creating that day. For example; there was a little squirrel that was dancing all over my front lawn the other day. He seemed so majestic and perky that I started giving him a name in my head and a back story about why he was so chipper, which inevitably turned into me making his likeness into one of my creatures. There is also lots of staring at my stock pile of supplies to say if anything is yelling, "I want to be turned into this guy!"
What is your favourite thing that you have created?
I think my proudest achievement, is probably my colouring book. Ten years ago, before I was really dedicated to my artwork, I had this idea that I would create a colouring book for all of my friends to enjoy and I just didn't have the know-how at the time to complete the project. Last year in December with the help of my Kickstarter supporters and the knowledge of one my friends, I was able to make it a reality. I spent a year drawing the pages, and it was a real test of my dedication to a single project, I was, and am still so proud that I finally finished it and that people actually enjoyed it.
What are you trying to communicate with your art?
I think the main concept of my work is there is this great juxtaposition and duality in people, animals, and our entire environment. For every light and natural creature, there is something dark and terrifying out there and that's the same of people. We all have a beautiful light side, and a dark one that we tend to hide from everyone. I love to incorporate a lot of natural elements. I think there is some visceral part of us that wants to go back to foraging in the woods and sleeping under the stars.
It's this combination of childlike wonder about the way the world looks and feels, mixed with adult understanding of the nature of how our society works, that I want to put out there.
What is the best advice you have ever had about how to be more creative?
Talent isn't just something that happens over night, creativity isn't something that just happens over night. Draw every single day and create every single day. Put out the biggest possible body of work that you can. Eventually, you will start to see improvement, but the most important thing is that you don't give up otherwise you won't get where you want to go. It's possible for anyone, you just have to be patient and want it badly enough.
Where can we find your work?
My work can be found at www.caryscuttlefish.ca for purchase. If you would rather see my work in person, I am regularly vending at The Witchery Market and I also have social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram or even check out my Etsy account!