This post originally appeared on Anna’s 1st blog, Annamotion.

Introduction

E.P.I.C. Stories have returned and I am delighted to introduce you to a highly talented artist and creative, Jennifer Conley! Just from my short time of talking with her I can sense her big heart for others and adding beauty to this world. For any person who has even one ounce of creativity in your body (I believe everyone does!), you will greatly benefit from Jennifer’s story and wisdom!

You can view her art on her website and you can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

K-oodi Magazine recently featured one of her paintings for their Prince tribute edition!!! You can check it out here! Her painting and written tribute can be found on page 102-103.

Tell us a little about yourself. Who are you? What should we know about you?

“My name is Jennifer Conley, though most know me as Jenn Toothaker. I got married about 5 months ago, so I’m still transitioning and adjusting to the new name. I’m 42 years old, a mom to two boys, ages 18 and 8, and have been artistically inclined since high school.

I am a multipotentialite/polymath/scanner/Renaissance person, which basically means I have a variety of curiosities, interests, and pursuits that have shaped who I am today. I have a bachelor-equivalent degree in Photography (meaning I’ve got enough credits for a bachelor’s degree, but went to a school not accredited for bachelor’s degrees. That’s a whole other story! lol), an associate’s degree in Art Therapy, and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I got about a year into my master’s in Forensic Psychology before realizing I was super interested in the information I was learning, but had no desire to do it for a living, and so I quit.

I have been a substitute/home instruction/online teacher, a professional photographer, and the supervisor of a group home for abused teenage girls. I’m a self-published author; I’ve written and illustrated a children’s book inspired by my youngest son, as well as 2 adult coloring books (you can find Jenn’s books on Amazon), and a full time artist for the last 15 months.”

B Inspired

What is the meaning and motivation behind your Facebook page, “B Inspired”?

“I’m glad you asked about the meaning and motivation behind my FB page, B Inspired. So few people know the meaning behind the name. I love doing a play on words, so that name has two meanings. I wanted a name that would pay homage to my inspiration, as well as one that would (hopefully!) inspire others to find their creative outlet.

My husband represents the “B.” If you fill in his name, it would read “Brent Inspired”, since it was him and his love that gave me the space, courage, and joy in my heart to start creating again after years of depression and upset. The other meaning is more obvious and just a clever way to say “Be Inspired”…whether by my art, my writings, my story, or other things (besides my husband! lol) that I find inspirational.”

Creativity

What is your favorite (if you can choose!) use of your creativity?

“My favorite use of my creativity is creating something useful or beautiful out of nothing. There is something utterly satisfying about turning a blank canvas into a window to somewhere else, or being on a shoestring budget and still creating a useful thing or gift (I’ve made key hangers, coasters, decorative boxes, curtains, throw pillows, afghans, etc. using recycled/repurposed materials I had on hand). I like making things pretty…whether it’s my home, or garden, or painting rocks and leaving them for strangers to find.”

What inspires you or sparks your creativity?

“Like most artists, I take inspiration from everything: from music, art, nature, literature, poetry, people, television, videos, books, colors, things I find beautiful, and emotions. I have paintings that are purely inspired by color and how we perceive it, ones inspired by poems by Robert Frost and Edgar Allen Poe, and many others inspired by my love for nature and trees. A friend that had lost 2 babies in infancy inspired me to paint my first portrait as my way of trying to ease her grief, and I’ve made paintings expressing my own grief and heartache.

There’s so much inspiration and beauty everywhere that sometimes I get overwhelmed by it all, and it makes my heart feel like it’s going to burst.”

The Inner Critic

Have you ever struggled with doubt or discouragement as an artist? How do you silence your inner critic?

“‘Have you ever struggled with doubt or discouragement as an artist?’ All the time! I’ve experienced both. This kinda ties in with your next question about silencing the inner critic…the inner critic and doubt and discouragement are all best friends. They hang out together and egg each other on.

Doubt and discouragement are a tag team that make me feel what I make isn’t good enough, that no one will like it, that I’m wasting my time, etc…the inner critic verbalizes those sentiments like this: “That sucks. You know that sucks, right? No one is going to like that. Why don’t you stop wasting time and money on this crap and get a real job? Blah blah blah…” (yes, there’s actually a voice in my head that says those things, and worse. It’s brutal in there lol).

So how do I overcome it? One painting at a time. Each time I complete one, I’m better at it than I was before. When people connect with what I’ve done and love it so much they want it in their home, I’m proving that voice wrong.”

Advice for Pursuing Creativity

What advice would you give to someone who also wants to pursue their creative interests?

“I’d advise them to go for it, learn everything about and practice their craft as much as they possibly can. One of the most gratifying feelings is doing something and doing it well. For a painter, many of the things we paint don’t exist except in our minds…when you can get what’s on your canvas to look like what is in your head, there’s a feeling of pride and accomplishment that’s tough to find in other areas of life.

I’d also advise to identify and ditch the toxic and negative people in their lives that try to discourage their creative expressions. Nothing kills creativity faster than nasty, mean people saying nasty, mean things about something you pour your creative energy into.”

Reaping the Benefits

What have been some of the most rewarding parts of sticking with it and growing your creativity?

“I think the most rewarding part about sticking with it and growing my creativity is the connections I’ve made with new people, total strangers, because of my art. Art has the ability to reach people on an emotional level and, when I’m lucky, I get to touch their hearts (which are usually so guarded!). That’s a pretty amazing and beautiful thing. ”

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If you’ve found any kind of encouragement from hearing Jenn’s story and words of wisdom, please share it and pass it along to spread the creative inspiration!

If you’d like to support Jenn and become a patron of the arts, you can check out her Patreon page.