We recently connected with Carol Roullard and have shared our conversation below.
Carol, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
It may sound peculiar, but as an artist, I’ve often vacillated in my search for purpose. Early in my art career, I would discover it, only to lose it. However, I have recently found a purpose that I love and which will sustain me. This year, I applied for and was awarded a grant to teach fluid acrylics at my local Boys and Girls Clubs. Teaching something I love is very rewarding. I’ve always found public speaking to be fun and exciting. It’s a form of teaching, and hands-on teaching is even more thrilling and fulfilling. Teaching fluid acrylics is exciting as many times the students initially are mildly interested, but their excitement intensifies when they see the paint spread across their canvas. They get so excited. Their joy is a fantastic reward for me.
Over the years, I’ve actively sought opportunities to display and demonstrate my art. I’ve spoken to several organizations and identified venues for exhibiting my art. I’ve realized that I cannot find purpose within myself alone. I’ve learned I need to share my enthusiasm, receive feedback, talk with people about what I do, and demonstrate techniques to feel a sense of true satisfaction.
I’ve received feedback from collectors and art aficionados, telling me that my art inspires them and gives them a sense of peace. That is precisely what I want my art to achieve! Bringing joy, happiness, and well-being to others creates the same feelings in me. It inspires me to continue, keeps me motivated, and fuels my passion for creating art.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Sure. My first career was in IT. I started as a programmer and moved up the ranks into management. I’m a very detailed, type A personality now working as a creative artist with free-flowing crystals and paint. It makes me laugh because in many ways, such personality traits seem contradictory. But I actually think there is a common theme that runs through both careers: both result in improving and providing purpose. My greatest joy has been realizing something or someone is better due to my efforts. Going back to the first question, this gives me purpose.
I started my writing and photographic career two days after retiring from my IT job. So much for retirement. My husband and I started writing photography-related books together. We completed nine books in about six years with two different publishers, one in the US and another in the UK. It was a wonderful and very rewarding experience but it was also very time-consuming and exhausting. The last book was the hardest because by then we were exhausted by the 24/7 aspect of writing in order to make publication deadlines. But it did help jump start my next career, becoming an artist. I started growing and photographing crystals through the microscope. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was accepted into several art associations. I started printing my micro-crystal art and exhibiting them in shows. My art received several awards in photography, they started to sell and my art career started to grow. It was a constant string of ‘one thing led to another’ happenings. My art was licensed to several companies, showed up in several print and online magazines, and for a while, I had a small clothing line.
Several years ago, I expanded my art into fluid acrylics. Both mediums have similarities. They both have the element of the unknown where you don’t really know the final appearance of the art. Both also have the sense of movement from one color and structure to another. Only in a general sense do you control the medium. It’s an adventure and I love that aspect. I constantly feel surprised, thrilled, and exhilarated by seeing the results.
I recently expanded my artistic goals by teaching fluid acrylics at my local Boys and Girls Clubs. I was awarded a grant to teach at least 260 hours by The Picerne Family Foundation. They cover my supplies and pay me a stipend to introduce art to kids that may not normally have the opportunity to experience it. I thought the students would enjoy learning and trying to create fluid acrylics. So far, I’ve conducted almost 100 classes and reached over 200 students, typically between 7 to 11 years old. Only a handful know what fluid acrylics are, so my class was a novel art form for them. I would start each class telling them this could get very messy. They love hearing that! Their eyes would light up, and almost invariably a wide smile would come across their face. I tell them I’ll demonstrate the process first. That usually wipes the smile off. But it comes back as soon as I start the demonstration and allow them to select the paint colors.
I involve them at multiple points in my demonstration. It helps keep them focused. Then it’s their turn to layer their paint colors. Some race forward and complete the task. Some hesitate and aren’t sure what colors to use. Often, there is discussion going on between the students as to what color paint to layer next. Sometimes I help them decide. I’ll admit that I do some color guiding, like don’t layer two dark colors together because you might not see either one when you pour the paint. Or don’t layer green with orange unless you want some brown in-between.
Once everyone has their paints layered in their pouring cup, I make them stop and wait their turn. I keep the class size down to 5 kids so I can work with each child individually. They pour the paint on the canvas, and together we get the paint to spread out and spill over the canvas’ sides. It is messy process and they love it!
My goal is for each student to love their artwork. A few times, someone is not happy with the results. That means we have to take some extra corrective action. We discuss what they don’t like and what to change. Once I have an idea what they want different, I tell them “let’s fix it”. They always seem surprised by this option. Together we work on it until they are happy with the results.
I might feel tired before the class and exhausted afterward, BUT I am always energized during the class working with the kids, seeing their eyes light up, hearing what they are saying about the process, discussing things with the other students. After each child has poured their canvas, they are then given the option to go play or stay around to see how the others turn out. It’s about 50/50 as to who stays, but almost always, those that didn’t stay come back to see the other kids’ results. Lots of discussion continues.
Sadly, my time with the Boys and Girls Clubs is coming to an end. This teaching opportunity has given me another purpose. I plan to start teaching out of my studio in Thousand Oaks and hopefully take my teaching on the road. There are many locations I would love to check out and teach. Maybe I will even have online classes. Time will tell.
My teaching has also inspired my husband to resume teaching, and last summer we taught art and science in a series of courses the librarians called Microscope Mondays at our local public library.We hope to expand this event at other local libraries and maybe take this project on the road too. Right now, 2024 is looking to be a very exciting year built on this.
Yes, I love selling my art as it keeps me going financially, but what give me so much joy is seeing people’s eyes light up when they own a piece of my art or I help them discover and learn new avenues for expanding their artistic horizons.
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 believe I have several qualities that have served me well in my art career. I definitely have determination, a willingness to try new ideas, and an ability to pivot and let go of things that are not working or are no longer enjoyable—although I will admit letting go is difficult.
It was a disappointment for me to let go of my small clothing line during the pandemic. I knew it was the right thing to do. Once the pandemic hit, there were too many problems with the printing company to make it work. I put off the decision, but eventually came to my senses and realized I had to pull the plug. I still think about starting it up again, but I’ve also moved on to other avenues, so whatever time I had to put toward restarting a clothing line is already allocated to other enjoyable activities. Not the easiest decision, but I’ve learned that one must be adaptable and be willing to abandon nonproductive ventures.
I’m constantly thinking of new art projects, things to try, and opportunities to explore. I’m more afraid of not moving forward than I am of failure. This does mean I can fracture my time so much that I neglect business tasks, but I try to keep in mind that my art career is meant to be fun. I am supposed to enjoy this part of my life. I recommend to anyone who is starting their journey that they should develop three things. The first is curiosity. They must always be learning and experimenting. The second is adaptability. They should evaluate whether they are making progress in their goals and if they are not, be willing to try new things. The third is determination. Personal growth is always marked by setbacks and I keep reminding myself that true strength is obtained by persevering.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
There have been a couple of influential people. I have an artist friend who has become my fluid acrylic mentor. She has taught me so much about how to use the paints effectively, apply different techniques, and has constantly encouraged me to see the value in my artwork.
Second, my parents were always there to encourage me. They had been one of my most ardent cheering sections. My father passed away eight years ago. My mother followed six years later. It’s been hard for me not to have their constant encouragement and advice.
Third, and the most important person, has been my husband. He has patiently listened to my ideas, complaints, and excitement. He has been my rock, coach, strength, teacher, and therapist — my unwavering support system. We are a team, a partnership, and lifelong supporters.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.carolroullardart.com
- Instagram: @carolroullardart
- Facebook: @CarolRoullardArt
- Linkedin: carol roullard
Image Credits
All of the images are mine.
Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
