We had the good fortune of connecting with Paula Freeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paula, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I truly believe risk is necessary and that we all take part in some form in our lives. Early on in my life and career the choices didn’t seem too risky. I had time to change direction if my choices didn’t work out but I still tended to make a safer choice or tried to balance my risk with a safety net. Art school felt risky but teaching art felt safe. For me it was a great place to begin. I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a fine arts degree and teaching certificate in hand in the mid nineties. I loved teaching art because I got to do it all. I could explore painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics and more right along with the students. I began a mural painting business and loved meeting new people and clients. I started a family and continued to teach and work my business for the next 20 years.
So much time condensed down into a simple sentence or two but at this time I was not really focused on myself like so many moms. I had three children in two years and raising them was the most amazing journey and blessing. Being present for their experiences is not something I regret but the empty nest loomed large for me.
Then Covid. Empty nest and covid both happened at the same time for our family and this was a real turning point for me. I started counting down the time left with my kids years in advance to try and prepare myself (not something I recommend) but covid gave me some real time to think and CREATE. I was able to find my art again. Not what others were commissioning but what I wanted to make. Teaching art online had stolen the best parts of my job but I had time to paint which I had missed so much. Not too risky, creating at home with no one to see, but once the world opened back up again I decided to roll the dice on my business again. Without telling a single soul I started reaching out to shops and galleries to carry my work. I started putting my art into the world again.
This was risky! And scary. As a creative it was so hard for me to open myself up this way. Our art is a window into who we really are and a no in general is tough. A no to your art can really mess with your mind. Critique I understand and appreciate but a no stings a bit. It created a avenue for me to get better. This risk was the beginning of a whole new life for me I just didn’t know it yet. That risk has lead to some great rewards. I was able to build a community of fellow artists and I found a shop that was tailor made for my work. At this point I was doing it all, teaching art online, painting seven days a week, promoting my work and it took a toll.
So, I took another risk; I quit teaching. This is probably one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I had been a teacher for 20 years. It was a huge part of who I was. Teaching shaped me and I was good at it. The guilt for leaving my school community, my amazing students and friends at school threatened to pull me under. The self doubt was such a burden to carry and at times still is. Risk is a funny thing. The ups and downs that come along with it. You feel like you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing but have an amazing amount of doubt at the same time. Mastering my mind and what I was telling myself became something of a full time job. This was the first time that the risk had no parachute, no safe way to balance my decision other than the support of my family cheering me on. I just had to jump.
At times I look at my decision and think what are you thinking? This is a lot of work! And then I think how am I so lucky? I tell myself that everyone has these same thoughts because we are all more alike than not. I am still finding my way through a full time art business but when I really look back I am astonished at how far I have come since that first mural to now with a full time art business.
In the last several years I have completely upended and changed my life but now I am building something that has so much value to me. I love sharing art, the joy and connection it brings to people. Talking to clients at shows and getting to see them connect with something I have created and share a love of something we have in common is one of the best things about my job. I am excited for the next risk that will build my next step forward. It doesn’t matter if you are young or old. There isn’t a perfect time. I completely changed my life at 48. Take the risk.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is always evolving but the things that stay constant are color, joy and a love of the ocean. I have lived by the water my whole life in a small coastal community. I grew up chasing sunsets and finding hidden beaches in the marsh. Still to this day when I paint what I love it is about the water. But I also love the colors in flowers and a really cute dog! I hope that my work shares the joy and peace that I find near the water.
I am currently painting full time after teaching for 20 years. Was it easy? In a word, no. It is hard work but I love it! I am so happy to paint and find success in what I love. I feel truly blessed. There are challenges as I continue to grow. But there are challenges if you chose not to grow so I chose to keep moving and growing. When I fall I try and evaluate what I can change and do differently. I have people around me who can help critique and people around me that are cheering me on. I value both groups.
Lessons from a 51 year old artist and mom….Lessons along the way can come through hardship so pay attention the first time! Learn something from the failure because everyone has failures. There is no normal so just be yourself but be nice! We are all alike but there is no one like you. Being successful takes hard work so don’t quit.

I hope that my work can bring joy and connection to people. I want my work to connect people to each other and people to me. I love people and how much we all have in common. I am absolutely thrilled when my work bridges the gap between strangers and builds connections. I want people to know from my story that your life has different chapters and you can change your path and rewrite your book as many times as you like. We don’t have to feel trapped or stuck. Figure out a way to rewrite your story and keep evolving. It’s ok to take your shot there is room for everyone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welcome to Poquoson Virginia! It is a small community that is almost an island it is surrounded by so much water. Spending time on a boat, exploring in and out of the waterways and marsh is a beautiful way to spend a day. We are surrounded by multiple military bases including Langley NASA. Historical Yorktown and Williamsburg are just a few miles North. You can explore Williamsburg for shopping, art, craft beer, Buch Gardens and The Cheese Shop is a must! A few miles South you will find Virginia Beach. It is a thriving beach city with festivals, concerts and amazing food. Restaurants on the boardwalk are my favorite. And of course, shopping at the local owned small business of Sunshine and Sweetpea Coastal Decor for my favorite art.
A little less than two hours away you can spend a wonderful weekend at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This is where we love to spend time at the beach and watching the wold horses. Time seems to slow down here as you rest your feet in the sand.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
At 51 the list is long! I have an amazing family who has never doubted me. My husband cuts surfboards, and trees, builds custom frames, carries and lifts and generally helps in everything that doesn’t require a paintbrush. Without him I would be half way here. So a big Thanks to Mike Freeman for those precious words: ” I don’t need to retire early, I think you should paint full time. You have a chance to do something really special” I love being a part of an amazing shop in Virginia Beach called Sunshine and Sweetpeas Coastal Decor. Steff Speirs has held my hand a time or two over the last few years.

Website: paulafreemanart.com

Instagram: the_artsyfreeman

Facebook: the_artsyfreeman

Other: https://sunshinesweetpeas.com/collections/paula-freeman-exclusive-painting-mural-artist

Image Credits
Paula Freeman Steff Speirs

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