Congratulations to artist Desiree Lynn, our latest Instagram winner! A self-taught, mixed media artist from Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia, Desiree creates using traditional art materials combined with woodworking and natural elements: "I live in a rural forested area, so I love incorporating things found in the nearby forest and playing on the natural element while adding a whimsical touch."
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
To see more of Desiree's work:
Follow her on Instagram: @artbydesireelynn
Does where you're from or where you currently live influence your work?
Yes, my artwork is influenced by the beautiful pacific north west. From the ocean to the mountains, I find inspiration in all of my surroundings.
Are you a full-time artist or do you create around work hours?
I create art on the side of my full time job.
Describe the type of art you create.
I create pieces using various mediums from resin, alcoholic ink, acrylic paint, clay, woodworking, gold leafing, and lots of natural elements. I live in a rural forested area so I love incorporating things found in the near by forest and playing on the natural element while adding a whimsical touch. The sunshine coast is known for the most artists per capita in Canada, so I knew I had to do something different to stand out.
What do you love about the mediums that you use in your work?
I love working with many mediums because it gives diversity and more interest to the eye. People often ask about the process of resin and i think that's one of the most important parts of art, getting people involved with the process and asking questions. Resin has been such a cool medium because it gives a new life to anything you add it to.
When did you discover resin?
I discovered resin in 2018 after I had just had my son and wanted to do something from home that I could make some income while being a stay at home mom. It started with acrylic pours and then I saw an artist bring their pour to life and add a top coat of epoxy. Then went down a rabbit hole on resin and here I am now.
I discovered resin in 2018 after I had just had my son and wanted to do something from home that I could make some income while being a stay at home mom. It started with acrylic pours and then I saw an artist bring their pour to life and add a top coat of epoxy. Then went down a rabbit hole on resin and here I am now.
How has resin impacted your artwork?
Resin has impacted my art work in so many ways it pushed me out of my comfort zone of abstract art and made me try so many new mediums. I've started painting, woodworking, playing with alcohol inks all because of resin. It has also allowed me to be creative in other aspects like foraging for foliage, mushrooms and becoming a collector of inscets, antlers, driftwood, rocks you name it. It makes me see things in a new light where anything can be art if you let it.
Resin has impacted my art work in so many ways it pushed me out of my comfort zone of abstract art and made me try so many new mediums. I've started painting, woodworking, playing with alcohol inks all because of resin. It has also allowed me to be creative in other aspects like foraging for foliage, mushrooms and becoming a collector of inscets, antlers, driftwood, rocks you name it. It makes me see things in a new light where anything can be art if you let it.
Can you provide a brief rundown of your process?
My process is very flow, I never have expectations when creating I always just let the piece create itself in a sense. I find there is quite a bit of preparation that goes into resin work so I always make sure to have everything I need ready but other than that its very uncontrolled, almost like a form of meditation for someone like me that can be a perfectionist at times. It allows me to trust the process and just let go and if you don't like it then add another layer. It's more about getting it out and expressing than having a certain outcome in your head. I think people often think that resin work looks hard or they can't do it but anyone can do it you just have to let go of expectations and let it flow, it will come naturally.
Why do you want to make art? What motivates you to create?
Like I said in the last answer it's like a form of meditation or therapy, it's a release, almost like when you scream at the top of your lungs and just let everything out. That's art, it's a allowing you to express, and the opposite of express is to depress. That's why art is a form of therapy because it gets you into flow, into letting things out that can easily be bottled up inside and creativity isn't something learned. We all have the ability to be creative, we just have to learn to let go of the judgement of others and create from the heart.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Art does help me in other aspects of life, it makes me see the whole world differently and makes me more understanding, loving and non-judgmental. It's my release from living inside of my head all the time and it's a way to connect with others, tell a story and open your heart.
What do you hope someone sees or feels when they look at your art?
I hope my pieces give people a range of emotions -I don't want to just make people say "wow, that's pretty." I want it my artwork to raise questions and inspire people.
I hope my pieces give people a range of emotions -I don't want to just make people say "wow, that's pretty." I want it my artwork to raise questions and inspire people.
How do you define success as an artist? What does that look and feel like for you?
I think success as an artist is different for everyone. Success in my eyes isn't about being popular or making lots of money. Success is small wins, Success is inspiring people, and not losing the reason why you started in the first place. Finding what makes you happy, creating pretty cool pieces along the way but also "resin"ating ( haha ) with people on a deeper level. Questioning the status quo and making people go beyond their comfort zone and pushing boundaries. Anyone can call themselves an artist but a successful artist is someone who never loses themselves or their passion and creates for them and not just what everyone wants to see. That is success in my eyes.
To see more of Desiree's work:
Follow her on Instagram: @artbydesireelynn
Congratulations on your win, Desiree!
Every month, to celebrate our community of artists, ArtResin will send out a 32 oz kit to two lucky people who have tagged us on Instagram, showing the work they've created with ArtResin.
ArtResin: Made For Artists, By Artists
