We were lucky to catch up with Etoile Stewart recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Etoile, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Simply put, my resilience comes from something much higher than myself. I have come to find my artistic expression largely through my intense struggles with illness. I fell ill when I was 15 when I had my colon removed and fought for my life for years. Now that I have healed myself, I am so grateful for life and have been close to that which breathes life into me – giving me an extreme desire to create and express my experience here on earth
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?
I fell in love with pyrography art, when I was looking for my purpose. I have a strong passion for healing work and holistic nutrition which is my ultimate goal. While studying, I found woodburning and was instantly obsessed.
Woodburning has allowed me a different type of healing, in my ability to make talismans for people through spirit animals and the like. This craft has stuck with me more than any in the past because it is sustainable, creating almost zero waste and allowing the pieces to remain somewhat alive and return to where they once came from eventually. I love to share the therapeutic nature of working with the earth by teaching kids and adults how to transfer images and Woodburn them.
Another great thing about pyrography is that you can burn many earth materials such as canvas, leather, bone, paper, wood, and more!
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?
One of the most important things I’ve continued to use throughout my journey is not to focus on the end product but to be present in the process of creating my art. Being constantly aware of my state of mind and what energy and thought is being put into these pieces of art will continue to emit that frequency in whomever home they land.
Another great philosophy that I’ve retained is the importance of putting my all into each piece as I am creating it. Staying open to change. It is easy to become stagnant while making mass amounts of products to sell but I am always reminding myself to follow my heart and not focus on ‘what sells’. Change is always guaranteed!
Sharing my art through festivals and markets has also allowed me to see the beauty in people. Speaking to so many people and hearing their stories and perceptions or interpretations of what I’ve created makes me realize how vastly different we all are. It gives me a great appreciation for my individuality, even in my flaws and less becoming traits.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
I hadn’t lost anyone major in my life until last March (2024) when I moved in with my father and the first night I spent, he passed. My world has been flipped upside down and the world is now much bigger-looking without him. The loss of my dad has made me question a lot. What my purpose is here on earth and what allows me to keep going? I am in a huge state of transition even a year later. I am so grateful for what he taught me. He was very patient and wise. He taught me how to question the things around me subjectively and form judgments without reaction. I think that is a very important skill as an artist because it allows for a more broad interpretation.
Although I am facing great grief, I am experiencing life fully and it is quite a gift to be here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://RootedImpressions.com
- Instagram: Rooted_Impressions
- Facebook: Rooted Impressions
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