Planting an Artist: A Journey of Growth and Creativity
I never thought of myself as a gardener, yet here I am—planting, tending, and growing something every single day. Not just in the soil, but in my art, my creativity, and the quite but fulfilled life I’m building.
The Seeds of Creativity
What inspires an artist to begin their journey later in life? In my case—sanity. I’m not even kidding. After spending tens of thousands of hours working in the high-pressure world of healthcare, I hit my max capacity sometime in late 2023. Healthcare workers like myself (radiology tech in cath lab) and nurses are in the top 5 of ALL careers suffering burnout.
Burnout in healthcare isn’t just about exhaustion—it’s dangerous. If you can’t bring yourself to care about your patients, you’re not going to give them your best, and that puts both them and yourself at risk. Healthcare jobs involve infectious diseases at every turn, sharp objects, combative patients, and the constant moving and lifting of adult patients. I had pushed through burnout before, twice in fact, always managing to mend and continue. But this time, something had to change.
For those who haven’t known me long, creativity has been part of my life since I could hold a crayon. My artistic practice was never consistent—just bursts of inspiration here and there—until the green bike incident (which I wrote about in another blog, if you’re curious).
The real turning point, though, came four years before in late 2014 with the loss of my mother. Losing a parent is hard enough, but it was quickly followed by the end of a seven-year relationship and the death of a close friend to cancer. It was too much to process alone, and therapy became a lifeline. My therapist encouraged me to find a way to honor my mother. The first thing that came to mind? Art.
And so, my journey into a more consistent creative practice began.
Cultivating Artistic Growth (and a Spring Garden)
Fast forward to spring 2024—I was fully immersed in my art. Learning, experimenting, and creating full-time. For the first time in my life, I also had more time at home than ever before. That shift wasn’t without its challenges—financially, I was reinvesting everything back into my art. Sales were happening, but I wasn’t exactly rolling in cash (still not there yet, to be honest).
That’s when my tiny backyard garden started to take root. I had a few potted plants—mint, rosemary, basil, and chives—but as spring arrived, I doubled down in the spring of 2025. If I could invest in myself and my art, why not invest in growing my own food too?
Gardening, like art, is an experiment. You take a risk, nurture something, and hope it thrives. Some things don’t make it—like my cilantro last season (RIP, little guy). But others flourish unexpectedly. My creative practice is no different. Some ideas bloom effortlessly, others need time, and some just don’t work out. And that’s okay.
Overcoming Creative Blocks: When Inspiration Feels Scarce
Every artist, writer, and musician faces creative blocks. That stagnant, repetitive feeling where nothing feels fresh or exciting anymore. I’ve been there.
One of the simplest, most effective ways I break through it? Walking outside with my senior rescue dog. Just 20 minutes in nature, and I feel refreshed—ideas start flowing again. Inspiration isn’t always about forcing creativity; sometimes, it’s about nourishing your mind in other ways.
Other times, inspiration comes from the unexpected—a scent that sparks a memory, the energy of a live concert, the way light filters through the trees at dusk. Those are the moments I chase when my creative well feels dry.
It's not that my ideas are novel yet they do work for me and sometimes each of us needs a little nudge to crawl out of our studio and take in a few steps among nature.
The Role of Mentorship, Education, and Feedback in Growth
Which brings me to where I am right now—standing at the edge of something new, ready to grow.
I was recently selected for an in-person, eight-week artist workshop designed to help creatives navigate the business side of art. Being surrounded by other artists, learning from mentors, and gaining real-world insight has been a game-changer.
At the same time, I’m revisiting an intensive workshop I completed last year. It covered the fundamentals—color theory, composition—but went even deeper, exploring the connection between artist and artwork, and how we bring our full selves into what we create.
Much like tending a garden, artistic growth requires care, patience, and a willingness to keep learning. It’s all connected—walking outside for inspiration, planting seeds, nurturing creativity, and watching both art and life bloom.
Final Thoughts: The Art of Growing
This journey isn’t about reaching some final destination—it’s about embracing the process. Whether I’m watching my backyard fill with new life or pushing through a challenging painting, I’m reminded that growth takes time. Some seasons are full of abundance, others require rest. But as long as I keep planting, I’ll keep growing.
And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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