An Authentic Artist

I am most excited to introduce you to my sister Carrie (@carrieneissart) who I believe is an authentic artist.

Call me biased, if you must, but there are a handful of reasons why I call my sister an authentic artist. Of course, her work is breathtaking. Take a look at question 3 and see for yourself.

But here are the real reasons:

Being true to herself. Listening to her gut instincts. Blocking out all the outside voices that may deter her from what she directs her paintbrush to create on the canvas. Taking care of herself and allowing her art to guide her.

This is the meaning of an authentic artist, and how could I not include someone like Carrie as one of the mentors in the book Get Up?

When I asked Carrie answered the question: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR TEENAGE SELF? I knew I was going to get one heck of an answer. And I was right. Anyone who continuously makes a deep dive into their subconscious to find their “why” before making any move, will always have some juicy wisdom to share!

And here it is.

Who is Carrie Neiss?

Carrie is a seeker, and artist, who loves to learn and transform herself every day. My search for inner truth is a deep dive into all of who I am, which gets revealed slowly, step by step, with self-compassion and lots of processing.

How did you become an artist?

I became an artist over time, as it was revealed to me. It was like sculpting my identity by chiseling away what did not belong until I saw the form before me that felt right. Often, we take on roles in life that society expects of us, and only in seeing what does not belong, can we then give it back, and keep only what is truly in our hearts. 

Please choose a painting of yours and describe it.

This painting is called Lemuria Speaks. The shadow and light in the face are a representation of the light and dark contrasts we experience every day. Our task is to unify this duality with our hearts and discover what is truly best for ourselves and others. I call the dark, any feeling we have that might be uncomfortable and painful. This is a signal we get from our bodies that something is out of alignment in our hearts and needs to be balanced. Only when we become vulnerable enough to find the truth in our hearts and discover our self-worth, can we transform the dark into light and feel peace and love. 

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get inspiration from anything and everything I encounter daily. I read non-fiction authors that inspire me with provocative thought, pay close attention to my dreams, and learn from the smallest interaction I might have with someone at a grocery store. It’s all relevant. Sometimes I like to look at other visual artists, but I try not to do that too much because I don’t want it to influence what I do. Interacting with anything in life can become a catalyst for self-reflection and evolution. 

What is your favourite meal and why? 

Lately, I’ve been grooving on raw salads and throwing anything in there. It gives me great energy during the day. I throw in nuts, grains like Quinoa, sprouts, veggies, and an avocado dressing. Lots of vitamins and quick fuel!

List two lessons you have learned from being an artist.

1. The necessity to beat to my own drum. I’ve been given the gift of art to allow for the ultimate freedom of expression alongside the contrast of experiencing the tension from societal expectations. I needed to let go of a belief system I inherited culturally and take on what was right for me. For instance, even with the so-called freedom art can give you, I still wonder what others might like, or what will sell. I need to give myself permission to own my sovereignty. I believe this tension is ultimately a very powerful growth opportunity. In order to appreciate how powerful we can be, we need to experience how easily our power can be given away.
2. I’ve also learned that creativity needs space to breathe. I’ve had to let go of the clock. I understand that not working on a piece of art is just as important as working on it. For me, creativity needs to cook a while internally before it erupts onto a page.

Let’s unpack your quote: Please elaborate on the following.

“No matter what it looks like, everyone has insecurities, we all want to be loved, and we are all created equal. We are all born perfect beings full of love, and it is your mission to follow the bliss that lies within your heart. Shine your unique light onto the world, and be an example of the kind of love that you would like to receive. The universe will take care of the rest, and provide opportunities for you to learn and grow.”

I think ultimately we are here to heal our wounds like fear and judgment in order to become more heart-centered. When we discover and speak our own truths, then follow our passion, it becomes much easier to love ourselves and shine our light on the world. When we experience this peaceful feeling of authenticity, we can demonstrate compassion to others because we have allowed ourselves to have it from within. Feelings like insecurity or shame have taught me to let go of self-judgments and dive deep into what I really need to be happy and then spread that good energy around. 

Thank you, Carrie, for sharing your art and wisdom with the readers of Get Up. We must trust the universe. Follow our gut instincts. Block out what others think we should do. And love and take care of ourselves in the process.

Then watch the magic happen!