Fran Simon – Inspiring Creative Stories
Fran Simon and I met through through Flourish: The Art of Creative Living in 2018 and 2019 and her enthusiasm, prolific output and zest for creating dozens and dozens of paintings is infectious. She lives in Washington DC, USA and has worked in the early childhood sector for many years. She wears many hats and, like many creative hearts, she is multi-passionate. Amidst running a couple of online businesses and a consulting practice, Fran also loves to express herself through painting.
Fran took some time out of her busy schedule to answer my interview questions and I’m so thrilled she did. Getting an insight into her creative life is inspiring! I think you’ll love it, too.
Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your paintings? I would love to know what led you to pick up a paintbrush.
As a child, I loved to draw and color and create. I remember my preschool teacher giving me coloring pages with drawings that I was supposed to color in the lines. I would purposely scribble all over the drawing and then say “I messed up” and asking for a blank page to draw my own designs.
I spent a lot of time alone with a nanny, and my favorite pastime was “coloring.” I lived on a hill in a suburb on a quiet street, and I would tape up all of my drawings on the huge bay window facing the street with prices written on them, hoping people would pass by and want to buy them.
My parents eventually put me in a private painting class where I was supposed to paint a still life. True to form, I insisted on creating my own abstract and ignored the instruction. My mother ended the classes because I was not following directions!
I applied for a fine arts high school and got in by the skin of my teeth. It was a split decision. One teacher wanted to give me a chance, the other did not. I learned to push myself harder then, but I never was a disciplined artist. I never learned the basics, but I was in a zone when I painted. I feel free and almost in a trance. Everything fell away and I was “in” the painting. I would return home covered in paint from head to toe, but I never even noticed.
After starting college as a painting major, I realized my work was not as good as my peers, and changed my major, which led to a meandering, but exciting career. It wasn’t until I was 56 that I picked up paintbrushes again. My best friend and I took a live course, and then took Nicola’s course together. I rediscovered my joy and the ability to revel in the process again. I also was excited about the results.
I painted every night and sometimes snuck away from work to paint during the day. I developed 50 pieces in just a few months, and most were pieces I was proud to hang in my home. I’ve taken a bit of a break due to circumstances related to work and home life, but I am planning to start again in a few weeks.
What do you love most about being creative?
It’s like a drug to me. I have to be creative for my work as well as when I paint, and I get completely immersed in the process of creating. I feel exhilarated and soothed at the same time. Time falls away. I like solving problems that arise as I create. I love the challenge.
Can you please describe your creative space? Where do you like to create?
In an ideal world, I would have a loft with large windows and skylights with a cement or wood floor and a huge laundry sink. But my studio is a large bedroom in the basement. It’s nicely finished with white wool carpeting, recessed lights and a small window: Exactly opposite of my ideal space. But, I am grateful to have the space.
I try to organize it, but it is always very messy because I am so lost in the process, I don’t stop to clean. At the end of every session, I do care for my materials, but nonetheless, it is always messy. I had all of my pieces on display, but recently gave one away and began displaying others.
Has anyone ever made you feel discouraged about your creative expression with their criticism – I hope not – but if so, how did you navigate that experience?
We had regular critique in art school, so I was accustomed to that. I actually enjoyed and learned a lot from that experience. Later, I worked at a publishing company where the editors redlined everything. I actually like to learn from the critique. That never hurt my feelings.
BUT, I did have one very formative experience with a cruel peer. I had painted an abstract expressionist painting with oil paint. Obviously throwing oil paint at a canvas was going to technically fail. A big oily blog appeared and over time, slid down the center of the canvas, never drying. It was a mess. A girl in my class said “I love your painting. My Dad said I could commission you to paint one for my room.” Being the naive and technically unproficient student, I said yes! I didn’t realize the sarcasm until days later.
What is your creative process like? Do you work in seasons, picking up and putting down your creative projects, or do you have a consistent routine?
I am sporadic. I go on jags like an addict goes on bings. I am a binge painter.
Does your creativity support you? If so, how do you feel it supports you?
I am 100 times more happy, enthusiastic, and relaxed when I am being creative.
Have you experienced any gifts in the midst of deepening your relationship with your creativity?
I have found strength. I am surprised by the confidence I have gained. I’ve always been pretty confident in life, but I feel so even more now.
What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone wanting to deepen their relationship with their creativity?
Trust yourself and just jump in. Don’t worry about rules or doing it right. Play. You will not break anything or hurt anyone. Be naive.
Last year, I had the pleasure of interviewing Fran on video about her experience with Flourish.
You can tune in and listen to her story below. In this video, Fran shares how Flourish: The Art of Creative Living supported her to rekindle creative practices in her life, after years away from her art.
If you prefer to read, you can find the full post and read the transcript of her video, in this article here.
Thank you so much for sharing your creative life with us, Fran!
Flourish: The Art of Creative Living is open for early bird registration from 15-31 October 2019. You can join the adventure now in the Art of Creative Living: Free 7 Day Introductory Course. I would love to paint with you and support you in your creative life. xx