Brie McWade is an artist and creative entrepreneur whose work is deeply influenced by her lifelong passion for the arts. At 45, she bravely launched her professional creative career, demonstrating that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. In this interview, Brie McWade shares her insights on inspiration, overcoming challenges, and finding balance between her creative and personal life.

Discovering a Passion for Creativity

Brie’s passion for creativity has been a constant throughout her life. She describes herself as a lifelong creative, feeling as though her love for art is just part of her DNA. From an early age, Brie took various classes and courses to refine her skills. She discovered that drawing was not just a hobby, but a crucial form of self-care. “When I’m stressed, drawing has been a lifesaver,” she says. Her creative journey has evolved naturally from these formative experiences.

Sources of Inspiration

Brie’s work is inspired by a diverse array of sources. She finds beauty and motivation in architecture, nature, history, and signage/typography. These elements provide a rich tapestry of ideas for her art, allowing her to explore different styles and techniques.

Challenges on the Creative Journey

Starting a professional creative career at the age of 45 has not been without its challenges for Brie. Balancing the desire to create with the practicalities of life—such as bills and responsibilities—can be difficult. She has also faced impostor syndrome and self-confidence issues, which are common hurdles for many artists. The lack of a creative community has made the echoes inside her solo practice feel particularly loud, though she is actively working to build one.

Overcoming Creative Blocks

When Brie encounters creative blocks or periods of doubt, she turns to nature for distraction and recalibration. “I try to remove all thought from my mind,” she explains, acknowledging that while this is not always easy, it is a reliable method for her to reset and find her creative flow again.

Advice for Aspiring Creatives

Brie McWade has four pieces of advice for aspiring creatives:

1. Just create: No matter what, keep creating. Experiment with new and different mediums or styles while continuing to refine your preferences.
2. Find and lean into a creative community: Having a network to bounce ideas off of, support each other, and motivate one another is priceless. “You don’t have to create alone,” she emphasizes.
3. Trust your skill and practice: Brie waited until she was 45 to show her work publicly for fear of criticism. However, the reception she received was incredibly positive. “I wish I had had the insight or mentorship to have started sooner,” she reflects.
4. There are no rules in creativity: Be new, different, unique, classic, trained, avant-garde, eccentric, introverted—whatever feels right to you. “Be confident that what you have to offer is exactly what it needs to be for the people who need to see it.”

Goals for the Future

Looking forward, Brie’s primary goals are to become self-sufficient as a paid illustrator, to successfully build a creative community, and to find a supportive network of fellow creatives. These aspirations are a testament to her commitment to both her personal growth and the enrichment of others in the creative field.

Creative Influences

Brie’s biggest creative influences include Shepard Fairey, children, Billy Schenk, and Andy Warhol. Each of these figures has shaped her perspective and approach to art in unique ways, inspiring her to push the boundaries of her creativity.

Balancing Creative Work and Responsibilities

As a single mom, business owner, and creative, Brie understands the importance of balance. She respects her creative practice as a priority and mainstay for her mental health and self-care. “I carve out time each week for art,” she says. Keeping her art supplies accessible and in view allows her to create spontaneously whenever inspiration strikes.

Favorite Creative Project

One of Brie’s favorite creative projects has been serving as an elementary art docent. “The kids taught me as much as I taught them,” she shares. Seeing young students express themselves and embrace their curiosity has been a deeply rewarding experience for her, melting her heart and inspiring her own creative practice.

Finding Balance in Life

In September, Brie reflects on the theme of finding balance. To manage her personal and professional life, she relies heavily on list-making and organization. “As a single mom, a business owner, and a creative, I have to prioritize through scheduling,” she explains. Stress management for Brie involves tuning into nature, unplugging, and disconnecting from the digital world. The sights, sounds, and feelings of nature provide her with a much-needed mental break.

Strategies for Self-Care and Mindfulness

Brie incorporates self-care into her daily routine by avoiding over-scheduling and learning to say no without justification. She listens to her gut and recognizes the signs of stress or agitation, which signal a need for self-care. Mindfulness plays a vital role in her life, helping her stay focused and self-regulated. “Focusing on journal prompts or letting my mind be free of thought can lead to better insight and self-regulation,” she notes.

Challenges and Benefits of Balance

Balancing competing responsibilities is one of Brie’s biggest challenges. Unexpected needs and events can disrupt her carefully planned schedule, leading to frustration. However, by setting boundaries and protecting her time and energy, she has experienced significant benefits. “Self-confidence has come with the boundary setting,” she says. Aligning her priorities has brought a sense of calm and clarity to her life.

Ensuring Passions Aren’t Sacrificed

Brie ensures she doesn’t sacrifice her passions for the sake of balance by having regular self-check-ins. “Having a weekly and monthly self-check-in ensures I’ve met some personal goals in my passions,” she explains. While she may occasionally slack off on day-to-day management of her passion, she does not allow too many days to pass without reconnecting with her creative side.

Advice for Those Struggling with Balance

For anyone struggling to find balance, Brie offers this advice: “It takes time to find a system that works for you, but it’s so worth it and extremely valuable. It’s easy to be and do and go as much as possible, but there’s magic in slowing down and focusing on less.”

Connect with Brie McWade

To explore Brie’s art and learn more about her journey, visit her website at www.advisoryhousedesign.com/art.