We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mary Rose “Mosie” Branchaud . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mary Rose “Mosie” below.
Mary Rose “Mosie”, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity is something that is deep inside of me. I come from generations of creatives across different realms of visual, spoken, and musical arts. When I don’t find a creative outlet, I become anxious and frustrated, and find myself craving the need to make something.
When it comes to keeping the creativity alive, I find my strongest source for fueling my fire is going to nature. I try to get out into nature daily, whether it’s gardening or walking on the beach or in the woods to source inspirations or actual pieces for my artwork. I like to sit and listen to Mother Nature, and I’ve found that through that connection I not only find peace, but guidance to many of the objects that I use in my mixed media art. It’s my way of honoring the ecosystem – all of those tiny, little creatures that make our own existence possible. To be a part of this planet, creating the art I’m honored to design, is something I have unexplained gratitude for.
Not only do I find creativity living throughout nature, but I also find the inspiration for it within my hair clients. Conversation and collaboration to deliver their needs and desires invigorates my ability to overcome challenges throughout my naturally shy nature. I’ve built many deep friendships throughout the last 20+ years of doing hair/running salons on both the west and east coast.
As a single mother of a fierce and beautiful, art loving daughter, I find it extremely important to teach how to find and nurture creativity in herself.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am so grateful to have a very special role on this Earth, which allows me to deliver “art” for my hair clients, as well as manifestations of my own artistic visions while building amazing relationships with them.
I can still remember some of my struggles as a little girl, being the “odd kid out”. As a child of two creative and artistic parents, I found myself more comfortable and drawn to expressions of arts through self-driven projects and classes, rather than connecting with peers my own age. I can still recall adventures from a Montessori preschool, where we’d go into nature and identify and scavenge for edible organics, which birthed my fascination in nature itself. I have always been extremely thankful for my parents who both whole heartedly supported my artistic endeavors, which allowed me to realize my own talent. What started as a child’s interest in art, grew to a passion throughout all of the different stages of my life, and here I find myself still an imaginative seeking to share with the world my little bit of oddity.
My style of art is something that changes. Dependent on the resources, many of which come directly from nature such as organic matter, bones, and carcasses, the type and style of art pays homage to what the universe has presented me. I have a strong draw to the metaphysical realm as well (that I take with a big grain of salt) When it comes to my hair clients, I have always been drawn to styles and services that are more edgy and niche. Don’t get me wrong – I love the classics such as ‘bobs” and “long layered cuts” and “natural color”, but the challenge of curls, the fascination with fun, vivid hair color, or the journey of delivering a true personality-changing hair style is invigorating. To watch a client’s face light up, and to see their confidence and happiness come through in an intimate, shared moment between us is something beyond reward.
This year I’ve had the opportunity to participate in the “World Oddity Expo” in Richmond, VA, along with features in local art shows and multiple galleries/shops in Outer Banks (North Carolina), where I’ve featured art beyond the jewelry that many have known me for. I’m passionate about honoring the idea of recycling what nature has given us – my organically sourced and adorned skulls are a true representation that. In addition, my vintage letter press boxes feature many little treasures that most people would walk-over on a daily basis. Now it’s such a joy to have friends and clients take notice of things like bones, dead bugs, other pieces of oceanic debris and bring them to me to feature in my art. Another favorite piece to create is my “oddity bottles” which feature little bits and pieces of my collections such as porcupine quills, sea glass, tiny shells, animal teeth, plastic figurines, and dried flowers for example. These are all unique, and each shares its own story in a tiny bottle.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I was a kid, I watched my Dad craft art projects that had me convinced “he could make anything”. On top of that, my Mom recorded several CDs, filling our house with the sounds of music, vocal and instrumental. Growing up under that influence was a driver in my own artist journey. I found my first leadership position in high school when I became President of the Art Club (in the 11th grade), and through this was able to cut across many of the typical high school stereotypes, bringing together different types of people and cliques through the love of art. As I became an adult, I enrolled in the Penland School of Arts and Crafts, located in the mountains of North Carolina. This was a completely different cultural experience, basically cutting you off from regular society, and engrossing you into this world of natural art full of iron workers, glass artists, wood workers, and more. This was where I discovered my obsession with flame-worked glass, which seemed like a natural progression from my love of ceramics. It was here at Penland that I realized, you could live in and contribute to this world as an artist.
If there’s any advice that I can give to someone early in their art journey, it would be to just keep doing the art you love. It sounds cliché but it’s so darn true. Don’t fall victim to non-supporters or individuals who don’t believe in your passion, the ones that are truly your people will support you till the end.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I’ve learned first hand through conversations with my hair and art clients, that everyone, from all walks of life, deal with different situations of being overwhelmed, anxiety, depression, etc. For myself, I have found that connection with nature, especially in combination with breath-work and/or yoga can help decrease feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. When it comes to feelings of being overwhelmed or “stuck” in my own art, I will often take a break from a piece and move on to something completely different that will help reignite the creative passion. One of my own personal challenges is that I am extremely hard on myself and my expectations are always high. I have to remind myself that I’m human and I need to give myself a little grace. I am continuously reminded when I’m giving clients advice on being kind to themselves, where I realize this is also applicable to me and my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/mosieatstarbabystudio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starbabystudioart/
Image Credits
Actively Awkward
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