We’re looking forward to introducing you to Courtney Simone . Check out our conversation below.
Courtney , it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’m definitely wandering through the path I am on. I am paving the way for myself through my career in both my 9-5 as well as my creative career, and it has been quite the journey. No matter the difficulties, I still find myself taking the time to wander, and embark on many discoveries along the way that shape who I am.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Courtney Simone and I am a visual artist currently located in Southern California. I create whimsical art pieces that highlight the uniqueness and beauty of the female form. My art embodies bold patterns, and colors, with an emphasis on subjective storytelling as each piece holds the space for individual interpretation. My mission is to always spark inspiration and creativity in the art pieces I create. I also work a full time job working with individuals with Autism and intellectual disabilities helping to provide them with a life where they are provided independence and autonomy.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
As I read this question, I instantly think of my inner child. When I think about her, I think about the little girl who always lived life on her terms. I think about the little girl who found joy from within and brought that joy everywhere she went. I think about the little girl who would catch butterflies in her front yard after school for hours, only to admire their beauty and then set them free. I think of the little girl who would find adventure in anything, and if there was no adventure to be found, she would create it. She would create a world through her art, through play, through self expression. She was a free, happy, adventurous, gentle, creative, funny, unique, and lived for the moments of “boredom” so that she could rewrite the narrative into a memorable moment. This was who I am at my core before the world told me who I had to be. And even in the heaviness of life, I know that little girl is still me, and I am her.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I find myself constantly missing the nostalgia of growing up in the 90s. No I don’t miss the failed fashion choices, the embarrassing hair mishaps, and constant dread of trying to “keep up” with my peers. But I do miss the simplicity of life then. I miss when having access to technology meant computer lab on the new bulky Apple Computers at school on Wednesdays, or fighting for internet time among your siblings after school as we blocked the phone lines for hours because dial up internet was a thing. I miss always carrying around a sketchbook and colored pencils over a cellular device. I miss how far removed we were from technology, which brought us closer to a form of creativity that cannot be easily duplicated. So if there’s something I miss that no one else is talking about, it would be nostalgia.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie I feel the art Industry tells us is that creativity just comes to you. Though yes, creativity does sometimes spark in the middle of the night where you’re pulled out of sleep to write down your idea before it evaporates from your mind. But often times, creativity truly needs to be cultivated. Sometimes you really need to open up the space for creativity to be invited in. And sometimes you have to make space to be “bored” so that ideas have a place to travel to. I grew up with a dad who always preached that we should never have a reason to stay bored, because there is always something to do. I like to make the mindset shift of “it’s okay to be bored, so that you can find your way out with creativity.” So no, creativity doesn’t always just come on its own…sometimes you might just need to be bored first.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me was that she always pursued her passions. Even when she had to work a 9-5 job, she always shared her creativity and art with everyone she met. I hope people remember me as someone who left them feeling inspired and empowered to embrace their passions, and discover the joy within their souls. I hope I’m remembered as someone who always wanted people to believe in themselves and to dream big.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.courtneysimoneart.com
- Instagram: @Courtneysimoneart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/courtneysimoneart
