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Writer's pictureDevyn Penney

#43. revelatory creativity, alone time & being joyfully free within yourself




Age: 26

Relationship Status: Single!

Occupation: Artist + Art Educator

Income: $47,000

 

What is the first thing you do when you wake up?

Shower! It wakes me up and provides a very quiet opportunity to think through my day; everything from setting intentions to schedule changes, something that, as a teacher, I have very few moments for when I get to work.

 

Have you ever felt genuine fulfillment? When?

Yes - it’s what keeps me going. I feel fulfilled most when I know I’ve made a difference in how others think or feel about themselves and helped them realize their full potential.

 

What is your most repetitive, negative thought?

That I am frequently misunderstood by those I love most, or that I somehow am not adequate enough at what I do, or that I’m not making a difference. I’ve heard this referred to as “Shit FM”...you just have to learn how to dial the volume down and change the channel.

 

What is your most repetitive, positive thought?

That I am confident, intelligent, and talented. These are words that I try to instill in myself, especially when I feel too tired to believe them.

 

What is one thing that surprised you about adulthood?

That challenges come in waves. I think we grow up with an idealistic picture in mind of what being an adult looks like– the house you love, the fulfilling job, the close-knit friend group, and the adoring pet (or spouse). What everyone fails to tell you is that it’s going to be really hard and that you have to choose your challenge each day. Some days, you feel so happy to be alive and that you’ve done such a great job in life; on others, you feel like you’re drowning in small things like bills, to-do lists, or the “I think forgot to unplug my straightener” and the, “...did I forget to switch the laundry?”.  You have to remember that not everything will get done, and not every day will feel as fulfilling as the previous, and that’s okay. You still showed up, courageously and unabashedly and dared to make it worth your while. Oh, and for Lord’s sake, did I not thank my parents enough? … that too.

 

What are three things you want to put every woman onto?

  1. Emma Thompson– this woman says everything we need to hear and more.

  2. The Color Red– it complements any interior, outfit, or lip.

  3. Devotions, A Collection of Poems by Mary Oliver

 

Rank the following from most to least important:

money, food, sex, love, and laughter (feel free to explain or don’t).

  1. Love– where would we be without it? Familial, Relational, Romantic.

  2. Laughter– call it our energy and learn to use it in the face of both joy and disaster.

  3. Food– need I say more? There is nothing sweeter than breaking bread together, and there is so much symbolism in what we choose to eat and how we choose to eat it, especially as women.

  4. Money– you’ll always make more. Use it wisely, thoughtfully, and generously for the betterment of those around you. Therein lies your true power.

  5. Sex– never be ashamed of female pleasure, and know that it can never be taken away from you.

 

How has your relationship with your parents/ guardians changed in adulthood?

I’ve always had a deep-found respect for my parents. They sacrificed everything for me to be able to pursue a life where I was at the helm of my own ship. Now, as an adult, I am even more grateful to them because their sacrifice seems more raw and relatable. Sometimes, I genuinely don’t know how they did it. I also feel that recognizing them as human beings with real emotions who make real mistakes has helped me see them through much more gracious and patient eyes.


When do you feel most like yourself?

When I’m in my studio – absolute bliss. It’s a very meditative state, art-making and creativity, which I’m also lucky enough to call my profession. It provides a safe space to explore every facet of thought and opinion, which can be extremely revelatory if you let it.

 

What is the best compliment someone has ever given you?

That I’m good at what I do and that I make a difference, especially when I hear it from my students.

 

How do you feel about falling in love?

I love the thought! I think we fall in love with many different things every day. It doesn’t always have to be romantic. You can receive just as much pleasure enjoying a meal with friends, wearing a killer outfit, cuddling with your pet, or spending time with yourself. When it does come to romance, I firmly believe that it will happen in time… or it won’t. And that’s okay too. As of now, I’m perfectly fine with being single!

 

What is one thing you’re sick of hearing?

The mournful sound of the “that’s okay, you’ll find the right one” when someone finds out that I am 26 and still single. eyeroll yawn.

 

How often do you feel alone?

Pretty often, actually, though I rarely feel lonely, which is different. I spend quite a lot of time in my head, and I have never fully felt understood or like I was on the same wavelength as others, but I’m at peace with that. As for loneliness, I spend quite a lot of time by myself and I think that’s very healthy for creatives and artists alike.

 

What is one thing you hope everyone experiences in their lifetime?

To feel absolutely joyfully free within yourself– to dress, and live, and eat, and work exactly how you want, without worry or shame– and to feel fulfilled in it.

 

What is one thing you hope no one has to experience in their lifetime?

Extreme regret or hopelessness.

 

What is the best decision you’ve ever made?

To pursue a creative career, instead of settling for what was easy.

 

When do you feel most at ease?

When I’m with my family– I am fully myself, and I know I can’t pull anything with them.

 

What does having a successful life mean to you?

Having love and fulfillment in what you do… to feel that you make a difference in the lives of those around you, especially if it means getting to use your gifts and talents to do it.

 

How often do you think about your body?

Every day– women are conditioned this way. But, I am fortunate in that I’ve never struggled with body image. I try extremely hard to view my body with grace and dignity, even on the days when it’s difficult, and to be grateful for what my body can do for me, instead of focusing on what I can do to “fix” it. Our bodies are our only homes; at the end of the day, they’re all we’ve got. They are born with us, and then they die with us, but in the middle of all of that, they get to live with us– to celebrate with us, to love with us, to move with us, to laugh and eat and cry with us. That is a truly powerful thing to hold onto.

 

When do you ask for help?

Not enough. I’m very independent, as well as the oldest sibling and a perfectionist. It is very hard for me to ask for help because it means I might not be in control of everything. That’s one of the biggest things becoming a teacher has taught me–to ask for help.

 

What is something you feel strongly about?

Not shaming younger generations for what they might lack in knowledge or experience. We should always use everything as a learning and teaching opportunity. When I’m older, I will certainly try hard to make sure I treat anyone with less life experience with respect and grace. Only then can we advance forward as a society.

 

BONUS: Tell me something good.

It’s almost art festival season! Support your local artists and creatives this fall and winter by attending local craft fairs + purchasing their work!

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