Meet Patricia Owens @ Winter Arts Fest
Patricia Owens is an eclectic Artist and Mother, who practices Polyamory and Paganism. For her, art is a necessary therapeutic tool. She earned her Associate’s Degree of fine art in Indianapolis, IN. During this time she delved into every style and medium possible, trying to soak up knowledge like a sponge. Ultimately, it was paint that won her heart.
As someone who struggles with mental health issues including PTSD, she learned to purge negative thoughts and feelings into her work. It’s a technique she calls “painting your demons”, as everyone has personal demons they constantly wrestle with. She enjoys teaching others to express themselves this way as well. Turn up the music and paint what you feel, not worrying about subject matter or shape. Color theory and a little basic psychology will tell the story for you. A concoction of color, mood, mythos, experience, and Healthy coping skills come together to create her otherworldly and sometimes playful compositions.
From 2016 to 2018 She spent her time creating her first characters known as “The Eyesaurs” and attempting to start her own business. The Eyesaurs were created to teach children about mental illness and other conditions or situations that make us seem “weird”, or “different”. The goal is to show children that just because someone is different than they are, doesn’t mean its bad or scary, and to see the beauty in everyone. Patricia also began making natural bath and beauty products and utilizing her art in a more practical application such as making home décor items. It wasn’t until 2020 that she finally got a break at the Chesapeake Flea Market.
Now, she runs Creative JuJu LLC online and from her shop located in the flea market, and vends local festivals and events. Working with a collective of Artists and Artisans, the shop offers a wide variety of handmade items and artwork. New artists are encouraged to display their work in the shop, and learn how to market themselves and share their experience with others. Community is very important and showing up and supporting other creators is strongly advocated. Creative JuJu offers everything from Fine Art, handmade bath and beauty, jewelry, and metaphysical supplies, gemstones, Tarot readings, and if you’re in the mood a wedding or handfasting is even possible thanks to Patricia and a few others being ordained ministers.
No matter what she creating, or who she is creating with, her core drive is self-care. Nothing is more important than our mental health, and how we cope with it. Meet Patricia and learn about her business in person at Art Upstairs, presented by RenewAll Inc and Hattie and Nan's. Art Upstairs is located at the Old Hosey's Building near Thistle Patch Vintage Gardens and Antiques and Mojo's Computer Repair and Electronics Store.
