The Soaring Artist's Voice: An Interview with The Spirit Dancer, Amy Riddle



Interview with Artist, Amy Riddle

I discovered Amy Riddle, The Spirit Dancer & Artist, through a tremendous group of artists who make it a priority to support and uplift one another (and I am so lucky to be a part of this amazing group!). Amy is a tremendous force of positivity and love. Her story, and recent discovery of her calling with art and helping others, is truly inspiring. Please join me in discovering what makes this artist soar...

Amy Riddle

 Q:Hi, Amy! Tell us a little about your background, and how you began your artistic journey as a candle maker, jewelry creator, and mixed media artist.

We would have to go back in time to the year 2001. What started out as what I thought was the worst year ever, ended up being my best year of self discovery. I went through a divorce which caused me to dive head first into Me. I took a spiritual development class. I spent time discovering what was important to me and who I was. During that time my mom came to visit. She taught me how to make jewelry. I loved it because I could make whatever I felt drawn to. I started creating my own necklaces to empower me with this new found spiritual energy. Candle making followed a few months later. Through the years I've picked up other crafting passions like knitting and creating purses from old cigar boxes. I also create my own herbal remedies and flower essences. Painting is new to me, I started dabbling this past year after I picked up Kelly Rae Robert's book, "Taking Flight".

Q:I love that you bless your beautiful necklaces, and inspire magic into your candles! Can you share with us the kind of good energy you put into your work?

Sure, I believe everything is made up of energy. When creating a necklace I may choose tiger's eye beads which represent courage...as I bead the creation I think courageous thoughts. I may come up with a simple mantra like, "I am courageous." If it is for me, I visualize myself doing the task I need extra courage for. This makes the necklace even that more powerful. I believe visualization helps manifest your reality.

I love using energy work with candles. Candles are so transformative. I can take old icky candles scraps (my candles are recycled) and from the energy of fire, new luminations are born. With the candles I use color magic. For example, if I'm crafting red candles, I think passion, action, and movement. When the wax has melted I meditate on these attributes and then release that energy into the wax. I firmly believe the more you put into something, the more you get out of it.

Q:Of all the creative outlets you have, do you have a favorite form of expression?

My necklaces. Definitely.

Q:Your Pin Up cards are unique and naughty in a good old fashioned, healthy way. Smacks of the good old days when life was less complicated, and more honest. What inspired you to create these cards?

I'm a huge fan of the classic pin up. Pin ups are reminders of our unique beauty as women. We should never be afraid to be sexy and beautiful.

Q:I read on your blog that you are going to become a Life Coach. Very exciting! What does being a Life Coach entail? And when do you think you’ll start accepting clients?

I'm super excited about becoming a Life Coach. I want to be someone's personal cheerleader. I will inspire others to find their calling and listen to their authentic voice. I can help them set goals and achieve them. I want people to know they hold the power to their happiness. My Life Coach training is February 22-24. After that I can start accepting clients.

Right now I've been focusing on raising the funds for my Life Coach training through my campaign on indiegogo. Thank you Alisa for being the first contributor! I was so glad the $0 didn't stay up very long.

http://www.indiegogo.com/AmyRiddle

Q:Your background is so interesting! A degree in alternative medicine (cool!), and a Reverend? Tell us how you incorporate these things into your art work, and as a Life Coach as well.

I approach everything I do holistically. Everything I create I add energy work. As a Life Coach, I'll be able to incorporate all of my talents into helping others. I can create the client an intention candle with a personal affirmation. Maybe we both sit down together and craft an empowering necklace to get them through that job interview. I will also be using flower essences in my coaching. Flower essences work energetically on the user and are fantastic aids in helping with emotional aspects of wellness.

Q:What is the worst advice someone gave you?

The worst for me isn't really advice...but the "Are you sure that's what you want to do?" That question always annoys me. Yes, I'm sure or I wouldn't be doing it. I got that a lot before I moved to Asheville, NC. I lived in Orlando, FL and was working at the same company for 10 years. When I was making my big move out of FL and to the mountains, some folks acted shocked. "Are you sure you're going? Are you sure you want to quit your corporate job? Are you sure you want to move with no job in this economy?" UGH.

Q:What is the best advice someone gave you?

My mom always told me I could do whatever I wanted to do. I've always believed her.

Q:Do you have any wisdom you’d like to share with your fellow artists?

Once you have found your passion, go for it. Pursue it with gusto. If you want to be happy, then BE HAPPY.

Thank you so much for this interview. It was tons of fun.

*****

Thank you, Amy, for such a great interview!

Amy's link to indeigogo - find out more about this wonderful artist! Perhaps you'd like to contribute to help this artist toward achieving her dream:

http://www.indiegogo.com/AmyRiddle

Amy's links below:

*****

Let me inspire you.

spiritdancercreations@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/spiritdancercreations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Backtomywings
http://onajourneybacktoherwings.blogspot.com