We were lucky to catch up with Baret Boisson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Baret, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
Thanks for the opportunity to answer this question. Being generous not only materially but in being present for others, in giving of your time, is the way that I believe is most important. In that way I love to share my story about how I found my passion, and to help others recognize their unique gifts and sense of purpose.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m delighted to have this opportunity to share a little about what I’m working on. I’ve been enormously fortunate to be able to do what I love- to make art and see my pieces come to life in the home of my clients.
Now, I’m going to be holding a series sessions in my own artist studio that encourage others to tap into the wonder of creating art. The feeling of getting lost in the process of creating is such a beautiful one, empowering and transcendent and freeing, and while children fearlessly lose themselves in their artistic imaginings, as adults we tend move further away from this ability to create playfully and unselfconsciously.
The sessions are designed in a way that from the minute they enter the studio, students are provided the inspiration, support and encouragement they need. Each student will be able to express themself in a unique way without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated. Indeed, the tiny feeling of nervous energy one might get when starting on something new will be quickly replaced by one of joy, playfulness and freedom.
Music, wine and pizza are included. I’m very, very excited about this new project.
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?
I have to say that I get a lot of who I am from my mom. My mother Judi Boisson is a brilliant artist, a collector of antiques and folk art, and is generally radiant in every way. She’s lived a most colorful life, and brought my sister and me along for the ride. She encouraged us to use all of our senses, to appreciate the beauty that was all around us. I get my sense of wonder, curiosity and playfulness from her. My appreciation of art, children, nature all come from my mom. She is spontaneous, enormously expressive, generous and has an enormous appetite for all that is beautiful.
As fortunate as I am to have had such a wonderfully unique influence, I never really had much professional guidance. So I’ve had to be very mindful about creating structure in my life while maintaining my playful and artistic spirit. I’ve asked questions and been open to receiving advice from those whose professional lives I’ve admired. Today, I am often asked about my own journey and am always happy to share guidance when I can.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
My friend Kathy Ireland championed my work from the beginning and commissioned a number of pieces for herself and to give as gifts. In fact, for Warren Buffet’s 90th birthday a few years ago, Kathy commissioned me to create a portrait to commemorate this momentous birthday.
When I first decided to embrace the idea of making a living as an artist, my friend Kathy Ireland recommended the book, “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield to me. She said that it was recommended reading for her team, and suggested that it might help me develop important (and even basic!) professional tools.
Reading that book, making lists, creating structure and really leaning in to the parts that resonated with me was a turning point professionally. I learned so much from that book and now recommend it myself to others. I recently picked it up again, and although I see it through different eyes now, there is so much good information in that book and am so grateful to have read it when I did.
The most recent book which had a tremendous impact on me was “The Creative Act” by Rick Rubin. I saw myself in every phrase. I was overjoyed to feel so “seen” and highly recommend it to everyone everywhere.
Contact Info:
- Website: baretboisson.com
- Instagram: baretboisson
- Other: linktr.ee/baretboissonart
Image Credits
Chloe Ireland, Ella Rocker
