Meet The Artist
It's me, Kathleen Tennant
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Sometimes a passion is ignited purely by chance; an unexpected encounter when, at the time you thought you were just playing with paper, glue and stamps. Several years ago when my neighbour introduced me to the art of card making I told her I wasn't that creative. I told her I wasn't so sure I would be any good at it. Fast forward seven years and I am running my own creative business, which was started by a spark.
At that time, there was something about the creative process I needed. At that time, it was just a hobby I really enjoyed; a hobby that turned into a craving. Soon the craving took over and my supplies outgrew my kitchen table and required it's own room and when I outgrew that room I took over an even bigger room, which I now claim as my "art room". |
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The creative process took my mind to a place inside my heart that hadn't been touched. Creativity had always been there yet it manifested itself with different disguises.
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When I was introduced to the art journaling book Journal Revolution, (by Linda Woods and Karen Dinino) my fire grew even bigger. To see the words "there are no mistakes in art" written in a way that made sense in my mind allowed me to create simply based on a feeling without judgment. Learning to create without judgment was the key that unlocked my passion.
When I left my legal secretarial job back in the middle of the year 2000 a gut feeling told me I would never be back; had someone told me I would be creating art for a living and turning it into products 13 years later I would have laughed. Since I had never taken an art class since elementary school being an 'artist' never entered my brain; little did I know. |
What I've learned since those words...
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"I'm not that creative" first left my mouth is that we are all creative in our own individual ways. From the way we get dressed to the way we decorate our homes creativity is flowing. Perhaps it isn't using paper, paints, inks and a variety of other "tools" like I do, but it is there nonetheless and it heals and nurtures the soul in ways unlike anything else. To see my art finished I am still in awe that I am the artist behind each piece. To see my art transformed into products that people buy is something I am beyond grateful for!
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There is an unexplainable joy I feel when I hear how my art touches another person.
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"To know the art I create which is based on my daily experiences and feelings can touch someone and move them to tears is something I never imagined having the ability to do. Whether it is one of my cards, an original piece of art or one of my notebooks, someone who feels a unique connection to the design chooses each piece. To know that my art connects people in a positive way all around the world is magical to me.
Art has changed my life in ways I could never properly express. I believe the torn edges of life are beautiful as with torn paper, the inner fray represents our inner beings - our thoughts, our dreams our hurts. And, I totally believe the creative possibilities are endless...." 
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