Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daylynn Drever. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Daylynn, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I feel like I’ve always been more confident than not throughout my life but that’s not to say that I haven’t struggled with self-doubt and questioning myself. That happens to everyone no matter how confident you are. I’ve struggled in the past about making sure whatever I’m working on is “good enough” before I show or tell anyone about it. I’ve come to realize that way of thinking is a losing battle because nothing will ever be “good enough” for everyone. And that’s okay! If it’s something I’m excited about it, then it’s worth sharing! It doesn’t matter if it’s not up to someone else’s arbitrary standards – it only matters if it makes me feel excited.
When I was younger, my parents played a big role in building my confidence. They always encouraged me and supported me in whatever I did. My mom always preached about being yourself and that’s stuck with me throughout my life. When I paint, I create things that I love by enjoying the process and I think that translates to my audience. I’ve always been of the belief that if you show up genuinely, good things will happen for you. I’m not naive in thinking that there will never be rejections or hard times but it’s being able to remain hopeful and optimistic during those struggles that can really build your resilience. When I’m putting myself out there and applying/reaching out for opportunities in my art and life, I always think that the worst thing that can happen is that I’ll be exactly where I was before so there really is nothing to lose. A year ago, I reached out about an opportunity that I truthfully did not think I would get but I tried to remember that it never hurts to ask. And because of that risk that I took, I will be having my own solo show in the Fall! If I had listened to what my mind had been telling me in the moments before I asked, not only would I not have the opportunity but I wouldn’t have even KNOWN if I could have done it which is almost worse. With a rejection, it might have hurt but I could have asked more questions about what they were specifically looking for and worked towards it. Not even knowing would have just left me completely in the dark and I would’ve been haunted with the “what if’s” of it all.
In addition to being an artist, I’m also a nurse and that has definitely shaped my mindset into what it is today. I’ve been with people on their worst days and experienced people’s regret secondhand when they’re at the end of their lives. I think having seen that and intimately knowing that we really do only have one life to live, it’s easier to take risks and be confident in living your life the way you want to live it. Life is too short and you never know what will happen in the next decade, year or even month. So just take that risk or go on that trip or make that change – whatever you’ve been thinking about, just do it!
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born and raised in small town Saskatchewan and moved to Calgary, AB about 6 years ago. I’ve always been creative throughout my life and realized that it had taken a backseat while I was in college as I was starting my career as a Registered Nurse. I decided to start watercolour painting in the Fall of 2019 in order to relieve stress and have some sort of an emotional outlet that balanced my work life as a nurse. About a year later, I started experimenting with acrylics and creating mixed media pieces. Ever since then, I’ve been splashing paint around and creating things that bring me joy. I approach creating with a mindset of just letting go and having fun. I like to think there are no rules when it comes to art and I often experiment with different mediums and projects. I love when my art is able to connect with others and remind them of memories that make them feel empowered and happy or inspire them to create something of their own. Whenever a piece leaves my studio and goes to its forever home, I like to think that it takes that spirit of fun and magic with it.
I’ve been featured in a few art shows over the years but my most exciting opportunity so far is coming up in October of this year! I will be having my very own solo exhibition at Fluevog in the Underground Gallery here in Calgary for two months! It’s been such a fun thing to plan and work on and I couldn’t be more excited to go bigger than I ever have before and really put on a show that represents me and who I am as an artist.
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 would say the three most impactful areas for me would have to be experimentation, consistency and showing who you are. Experimentation is so important if you are just starting out as an artist. It helps you find your own unique voice and what you truly love to create. Try out all sorts of mediums/techniques to see what fits and it might surprise you what you end up enjoying! If you’re creating something that you love, that will translate to your audience and they will in turn love it even more. Once you find what you love doing, it’s important to be consistent and build your skills. Sometimes it can be difficult to be consistent because of life and everything that can keep you busy but if you carve out time for your art (even if it’s just an hour here and there), you’ll be amazed how much you can grow. Last and definitely not least, showing who you are is a key piece to being able to reach your audience. The more you can let your followers or audience in on who you are and why you do what you do, the more trust will be built between yourself and your audience. People are always more willing to support a person that they relate to before a business. By sharing who you are, you will be able to build relationships that can lead to even more opportunities.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
The biggest challenge I’m facing at the moment is being able to find time and balance working on my art with the rest of my life. I am so busy and always have a lot going on so it can be hard to find time to create when my schedule is so full. Even when I do find time, sometimes I’m not in the right mindset to create. I don’t ever want to feel like I’m forcing myself to paint because I know that I won’t be creating anything worthwhile if I’m feeling like that. So in order to overcome this, I’m working on being okay with not being productive. Sometimes I need to rest and take some time to do nothing in order to reset my mind and body before I can go to my easel. I am also trying to not overextend myself. I tend to be a “yes girl” and never want to turn down an opportunity or an event but I need to realize my boundaries and only take on what I can handle.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.daylynndrever.ca
- Instagram: @artmadeinmycondo
