ARTIST HIGHLIGHT
CAITLIN (CREATE ON CANVAS)
Hi Caitlin, tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Cait and I am an artist from the Shenandoah Valley. I am a wife of 12 years, mother to an 8 year old daughter and two fur babies, and a full time passionate eighth grade Physical Science teacher. I have lived in and traveled the east coast before my family and I finally settled in Virginia. I have always loved painting with acrylics, but the past couple of years I have been exploring pour painting and I love it!
How long have you been creating acrylic pour art? What inspired you to become an artist?
I have been creating acrylic pour art for about 2 years now, but have been painting for much longer than that. My path to becoming an “official” artist started with a conversation between my husband and me. I am a full time middle school science teacher who has always had a passion for STEAM, but I felt that I needed to explore my art passions on a deeper level. My husband asked what I would do if I didn’t teach and I told him I would be an artist YouTuber. This is how my channel, Create on Canvas, was born. Although I am still teaching full time because I love what I do, I am also freelancing as an artist. I even bring art into my classes. For example, this year we built catapults and painted a large canvas drop cloth by launching paint filled water balloons at it. We have also done pendulum painting!
What does art mean to you?
Art is my escape and pleasure. It is the time I set aside for myself and create, experiment, and decompress. Art evokes emotions and can be so powerful when you truly let your imagination go free. Art is everything to me and the world is a better place with art in it.
Which type of pour do you enjoy creating the most?
My favorite pour is the Dutch Pour or Air Swipe. I have experimented with many different types of pours, but I always seem to be drawn to the dreamy movement of a blown out painting.
What is your favorite GenCrafts Acrylic pouring paint set to use?
I love the Neon and Metallic pouring sets best because I appreciate the bright neon colors and the shimmer in the metallics! I also love the natural cells that come from using this paint!
What advice do you have for beginner artists?
Allow yourself to be free and don’t be afraid to “fail.” Art is freeing and therapeutic and is not meant to be frustrating and stressful. Sometimes I fail 3 or 4 times on the same canvas before I get something I am happy with and that is okay! Also, don’t be afraid of color. Different colored paints have different densities and often play well with each other for some cool effects.
Overall, what is your favorite part about the creative process?
My favorite part of the creative process happens when I think I have a plan for a painting, but when I start the process, the paint and canvas just speak to me and the work changes direction completely. I love the surprise results that can arise from fluid art. The scientist in me loves experimenting with different techniques, mediums, paints, and tools as well!
Tell us an interesting fact about your art!
Some of my favorite pieces of art are the ones that I did not originally love right after painting them. I always give myself time to come back to a painting and reevaluate. I often see or feel something that I didn’t the first time and I am usually grateful that I didn’ paint over it!
What has been your greatest accomplishment thus far, being an artist?
Besides just following a new dream halfway through my thirties, I am very proud of my YouTube channel, Create on Canvas. It is certainly challenging at times to run a channel and teach full time; however, I am proud that I reached over 1000 subscribers at the beginning of this year. I love sharing my art with the world and I am happy to be doing that.
YOU CAN FIND CAITLIN (CREATE ON CANVAS) ON:
• YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreateOnCanvas/videos
We’d love to see your artwork on Instagram - Show us your talents!
Post your artwork on Instagram, be sure our product is featured in the photo, tag us, and use the hashtag #gencrafts
As always, CREATE, SHARE, & INSPIRE!
