Inspiring Artist: Natasha Reilly

Bursting into the “Inspiring Artist” interview scene this week is the Cartwheeling ball of Sunshine. Natasha Reilly.

Please introduce yourself and your art a little bit.

I am Natasha “the Mad Cartwheeler” Reilly. I could tell you that I received my MFA in Writing from the New School in NYC and that I currently run my own business teaching writing and art but that would be boring. I’d much rather tell you that I am a colorful sidewalk drawing, a firework the moment it explodes in the air, a cloud that changes shape, laughter over a pint, a peanut among pistachios, an umbrella in the rain, the curl of a wave before it meets the shore, a destructive, raging flame to all labels, the wings of a butterfly – yellow and purple in color and playtime personified.

What else can I tell you? I have a blog – although I like to call it my playground – called Creative Nachos where I invite people to create new artworks based on a weekly theme. Want to play??

For me art is…

exploration, salvation, inspiration, conversation, masturbation, declaration, liberation, and celebration.

What are you currently working on?

Personally I am working on a large writing project as well as designing two new courses. I just created “The Storyteller’s Village’ which is a space for writers, artists and creatives of all kinds to come to play and see projects through to the end because isn’t it hard to keep going through an entire creative project?? Stop by if you have a chance – it’s a GREAT group of people. http://creativenachos.com/blog/2011/05/04/the-storytellers-village/

Can you tell us a little bit about your Art Journals?

My art journal is my friend – we talk all the time. I had been art journaling for years before I knew what I was doing. I had been writing and drawing and sketching and then one day I added color and my world EXPLODED. It’s never been the same. I can sing in the pages of my journal and capture those moments – because life is really all about moments, is it not? – that leave a profound mark on me, the ones that tell the story of what it means to live my life.

Who has inspired you?

I am hopelessly inspired by so much …SARK, Matisse, Picasso, nature, a baby’s cry, a woman sighing, Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, a hand being held, a thunderstorm, a random word, a tear drop, a laugh, Judy Blume, Dave Matthews, U2, every artist or writer who shares their passionate soul, YOU…I could go on for days. Everyday is something new.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

My beautiful friend, Jennifer Bond Schildknecht , shared this quote recently and it has become my absolute favorite.

“You can choose right now to make a choice that will honor your magnificence. Once you make the choices that honor you, you call upon the higher powers within you. You activate invincible strength, love, and wild magic. If you knew the significance of this choice, really there would be no choice.”

~ Tama Kieves

Are there any tips to living a creative life that you’d like to share?

YES – STOP living for others. WHO cares what other people think…if you write for an audience or paint for your audience you will never, ever share YOUR true authentic voice! When you paint or write because YOU love the words you are stringing together or you feel so moved by the colors you are using then and only then will you attract people because despite all our societal labeling and constraints we all secretly root for the person who lives outside the box, the one who is different. They scare and excite us. They illustrate the idea of hope, surprise and possibility. They make us want to test our own limits and push beyond our own boundaries and when we do we feel more alive, don’t we?? BE the fire in the world – burn bright, cross boundaries, dare…risk it all – the ONLY thing you have to lose if you do?? Nothing! The only thing you will lose it you don’t – the chance to be more fully alive than you ever dared to dream!!!!!

Where can people find you and your work?

Come on over and play anytime. My door is always open.

CreativeNachos – http://www.creativenachos.com

Creative Nachos Fan Page – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Nachos/177831198931817

Twitter – http://twitter.com/natashadoodle

Natasha, thank you for such a fantastic interview! My all time favorite part was your creative advice. Seriously, I might need to inscribe that onto my desk top.

I just love ya, Jeniffer!!! AND thank you again for the opportunity to be interviewed!! -Natasha

Click button to view past interviews.

“Inspiring Artists” is an ongoing artist interview series at JoyfulArtsStudio.com.  Join me Mondays for a weekly dose of creative inspiration.

The series will continue as long as there are artists wishing to participate.  If you are an artist and would like to share your story, please contact me at jhutchins@joyfulartsstudio.com.  I’d love to hear from you.  Thank you!!!

Love & Blessings,
Jeniffer