Her name is Becca Metzler. She's a mommy first, a career woman second, and an artist through and through. For this dynamic woman, art is an intense passion at the pit of her stomach; something she can't shake no matter how hard she tries. "I will seriously get a feeling down in my gut that I need to create something," she writes, almost certainly while trying to balance a child with one hand and type her email to me with the other.
A project of this size can take a long time, but Becca's hard work has clearly paid off in the end.
Becca has a small child who is right at that perfect (and absolutely adorable) walking and talking age. Without a doubt, he is her world. She often posts on her Facebook profile that she is "in love." It takes exactly three seconds to know who she is referring to: Her fluffy haired toddler with intense blue eyes (who could resist falling in love with a boy as cute as that?). As much as she loves her child, there is always room in her heart (and mind) for art. "It's the first thing I want to do when I get off work or when I have a free weekend," she says.
Creativity can be provoked by anything and everything. Becca finds inspiration for her work in an array of media and pop culture. "I'm always Googling images for inspiration or looking at books and magazines. I save pictures or cut up magazines and combine ideas here and there..."
But even the best artists can get discouraged. I asked Becca what keeps her from losing motivation for a project. "If I start a piece and then decide that I don't like where it is going, I'll set it aside and get back to it later. Sometimes I even paint over it and start fresh."
Art Escape is all about finding people who have been able to use art as an escape from the chaos of daily life. But for some people, art can become more than just a hobby. While Becca needs a career in order to support herself and her son, she explains that art is about self expression. "I don't know that I'd give up my career. I like to make the art that I like, which I've learned doesn't always sell. But it makes me happy. I am lucky to have an 8-5 that I love and still have the energy when I get home to take care of my son and create my art."
**Becca Metzler is in the process of finalizing her new website. Check back for links to her work.**
Art Escape: Embrasse-Moi
It's great to see such talent leave Kansas...sorry Kansans but we had to get out. Thanks for staying and holding down the fort, but really...
Anyway. Here is one super talented woman who is kicking ass in New York. I can't say I have kept in touch with Mrs. Iannazzi but I randomly ran across her site a while back and it looks like she and her team are on to something -- and plus, who can't appreciate great lingerie? Thanks Kristine Iannazzi. Maybe my girls and I will make it up to Embrasse-moi.
