Meet Abby First

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Abby First a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Abby, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I have always been what most would call a “creative”, but maintaining creativity is not easy. There was a rough patch where I was struggling with PPD and it felt like my marriage was falling apart, and honestly I was full of fear. It’s hard to be creative in that kind of mental place. I was really fortunate, I think, because even when I felt like I had so much to figure out on my own, my friends stepped in and helped me realize that the only way out was through, AND I didn’t have to go through it all on my own. Knowing that my people had my back helped me start processing all of the grief and frustration through art again, and once I started recapturing this creative outlet, it was hard to stop!
Now, I don’t just rely on myself for creative ideas. My whole business is built around helping others identify their vision and capture it on paper or canvas. Being able to connect deeply, not just with other people, but also with my own thoughts, motivations, and emotions is key to creating depth and motion in my art.
Other things that I find to be key in growing my creativity are finding time to be outside, making time for exercise, and creating a routine to get into the creative flow.
I’m not as prolific as I once was, but I feel like my art is not only higher quality, but also carries deeper meaning.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I grew up drawing, then painting. I would draw all the time, and I swore up and down that I would never be a professional artist. When I launched into the online space, I became a general services virtual assistant, and eventually niched down into graphic design, and then eventually into small business branding. I loved that because it was like the perfect mix between psychology and art, and I could still say that I wasn’t an artist. Ha. Each time I niched down, I got closer and closer to becoming a professional artist. When I was on maternity leave with my third baby, I felt a distinct draw to scrap everything that I was currently doing with business and launch into full time artistry. It felt a little crazy and a lot scary, but also incredibly RIGHT. So I did. It’s taken me about a year to feel comfortable telling people what I do, but now I’m excited to tell people that I’m an artist.

I create what I call “anchor art”; art that helps you to find an anchor in the middle of your struggle. We’re all exposed to triggers all the time, and my goal is to help create “glimmers” instead. Glimmers of hope, of joy, of strength, of perseverance, or whatever you need to bolster you. I love this because there is something powerful about sitting down and talking with someone not about their struggles, but helping them to articulate and envision their hopes and dreams. Their reasons to keep on keeping on, if you will. And to be able to actually look at your motivation everyday? It’s exciting to me! And anchor art is not just for those who struggle with something. It’s also for business owners looking to find unique ways to connect to their clients, or for individuals who are looking to create a meaningful gift or celebrate a milestone.

I also offer book illustration services, especially for indie authors – artists in their own right. Books are a labor of love, and books are often judged by their covers! In illustrating books, it’s one more way for me to help someone see their dream come alive.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I think the biggest thing is perseverance. Don’t ever give up. It’s taken me 30 years to acknowledge what I’m really supposed to do, and I’m sure it will continue to evolve. It’s not always been an easy ride to get here, either, but I’m grateful that I didn’t throw in the towel when challenges came up. Perseverance is built on hope. Find what gives you hope and keep it in front of you.
The second is probably developing a love for lifelong learning. I love to learn – about basically anything! I’ve learned about building and running a business, new art techniques, marketing, and maybe most importantly I’ve learned how to be open to deep connections without holding on too tightly.
Third, don’t run away from what you love! Embrace it. You were created on purpose, with purpose, and your dreams are part of you for a reason. They may evolve and change over time, but they are key to what you’re supposed to be doing.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Ha, I am an introverted homeschool mom of 3 talkative little girls. I often feel overwhelmed, and when I do, there are a couple good strategies that I use.
Stop and breathe. Holding your breath will trigger anxiety to increase, so focus on your breathing, deep and slow.
Reach out to your people. I’ve built a pretty strong community (which was hard at first, but like everything, gets easier with practice!), and when life is too much, I have people that I can reach out to, whether I just need to text someone or actual hands-on help. We weren’t created to do life alone, no matter what modern society says. It’s not a shame to ask for help.
Give yourself permission to not do it all. Sometimes, overwhelm happens because we’re trying to make everything at the same level of importance, but it’s really important to prioritize – without feeling guilt about what we choose to do later, or let go of completely.
Bonus strategy… do make time for self-care. That’s not always extravagant spa days. Sometimes it’s just making sure that you do 5 minutes of yoga and take a shower. When you feel good in your skin, it’s easier to roll with life rather than being overwhelmed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dot.cards/theverdantheartproject
• Instagram: @the_verdant_heart_project

Image Credits

Cheyenne Alexander, @freetobeyouphotography on Instagram