Spring Changes By Sophie Navarro

As the sun starts to come out more, my inspiration grows deeper. The winter provided a time to go inward, focus on self-care and stay connected to spirit. Spring brings out a renewed feeling, a feeling of change and transformation. I look forward to Spring with all the freshness that it brings. My inspiration comes from the simple moments, such as having a cup coffee with a dear friend or creating new art for close friends.

I also love paying close attention to sunrises, sunsets and home cooked meals. There is something to be said about these moments. Colors in new flowers, sounds of birds chirping in the morning and the sound of walking on dirt along the trails. It’s the simple things that bring about the most magnificent shifts in our lives.

Take the time to see the colors, sip that delicious warm drink and laugh more with your children!

Sophie Navarro

What does it mean to be an artist?

Re-inventing the artist By Sophie Navarro

An artist’s life evolves over time. They go through a variety of experiences that shape their perceptions, assumptions and often challenges those assumptions to learn how to stay open. As an artist who is learning to shift from a different mindset that assumes to have it all figured out, I am learning to lean into the discomfort of how to build my business by creating new designs and products and test them with friends and family. I have learned that I will never feel ready when it comes to creating my store. It is an ongoing journey that will continue to test my assumptions, creativity and patience. The win out of this discovery is the process of re-inventing who I am as an artist. The unraveling of who I am meant to become.

The process I am now in is a time where I get to explore my inspiration and create designs that can both be functional, fun and whimsical. I am currently working on flowered barrettes, flower headpieces with LED lights and a variety of magnets. I am passionate about fashion, words, women wearing butterflies in her hair, mixing in textured paper with glittery shimmers, gold paint and love. There is a whole lot of love in each of my designs. This is where I get lost into an hour or 2 and just lose myself into my art. This is what it means for me to be an artist. The sheer love of creating something new and watching it grow into something new over time.

The value of support from friends and family is hugely important. I am finding now that we are close to finishing this year, it’s a good time to appreciate all the ups and downs of the year. I have learned how to navigate through them with a new perspective that involves more patience, radical self-love and acceptance.

I am so deeply grateful for all the work I have done with ArtCity Pro and ArtCity! Charly is an incredible mentor, friend and artist! I value how much ArtCity does for our community. All the events I have had the opportunity to be a part of has deepened my gratitude for all my new connections I’ve made this year. I am also grateful for Lane Arts Council First Friday ArtWalks and the Saturday Market. It takes a certain amount of courage to step into these opportunities and risk. However, through that courage and self-discipline, I have learned that I am stronger than I realize.

May next year bring an abundance of new art, passion for ArtCity and new opportunities to share with my community.

March 18th, 2018 - Changes By Sophie Navarro

On Embracing Changes

As an artist, it can be a lonely path and often times a bit awkward. I am learning to embrace all the emotions that can come up while being on this path.

I have come to learn that chasing your dreams is no easy path. It is a courageous path. It is a path that will challenge every part of your life. I have been working very hard for the past 4 years on my Master's degree in Arts Management and I have to say I am so excited about it!

There is so much I have learned in the last 4 years. I have learned that you're never really ready to start a business or you're never really ready to do a presentation. There is always that little voice inside that says no, you're not ready. Nonetheless, when you push through all that discomfort, worry and stress, huge pay offs do come up in the end. There is nothing like accomplishing a deadline and knowing deep down you did it!

The research part of what I am working on right now is working on creating a guidebook for artists entrepreneurs who desire a career in the arts. My goal is to have a series of illustrations in a graphic novel format with a few chapters. These chapters will give some insight on important goals to have in mind when starting your business and how to sustain your art business.

Stay tuned for new videos and updated blog posts! It's time to honor that creativity!

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