We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tricia Faulkner. Check out our conversation below.
Tricia, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Who are you learning from right now?
Good day and thank you for asking! Currently I am learning a great deal from artist Christopher Remmers, my art mentor. After taking a self help course on manifesting my destiny; I realized I needed a mentor. Christopher is an oil painter and has been assisting me in finding my true voice.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My business is currently Tricia Faulkner Art. I have been painting primarily portraits and animal life since 2020. However I have had a constant nagging to go deeper into my psyche and develop stories in my artwork. This interview has caught me in a crossroads of leaving acrylics and moving into a new body of work using oils.
My brand is capturing the essence of how people lose their individuality in relationships. This can range from losing self esteem to deep downward spirals but also involves humor, love, and the regaining your true self.
Currently I am in the sketching phase while I master the techniques and fundamentals of oil paint.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Due to my upbringing in religion I was expected and molded into a “woman’s role”. In my mind I was unable to voice an opinion, had no authority over a man and was told I am unable to teach men. The only person who tried to show me otherwise was my grandfather. He was a WWII survivor. And every summer he took me fishing, hunting, & let me run a roadside veggie stand. I cut grass on a riding mower, helped plant and pick vegetables, pears, peaches and grapes out of the garden. When each summer ended and I had to go back home it felt like I was in the tunnel of doom again. I could not speak my mind, grow my mind outside of elementary school—which I found extremely boring. I was held back from having my own philosophy or opinion. I was unable to pursue my passions. My grandfather died when I was 9 years old. And so ended my life of discovery that he allowed me to have- a love and power he gave me that I have never forgotten.
His influence stuck with me although I felt lost in how to handle relationships due to the belief that I had no voice of authority over a man. It took many years of moving and navigating emotional abuse, physical abuse, and financial abuse before I broke free and was alone for 3 years. I rediscovered who I was always meant to become. I feel like I fulfill a purpose each day of my own volition and not at the bequest of others. I am still learning to NOT over function to be loved. And this is the first best time in my life I can say I love me for who I am and what I will extend into the world.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My childhood aforementioned were some of the defining wounds in my life. But I don’t see the pain anymore. Often as I reflect I do realize that every scar was a step in the molding of my mind, passion, and creativity. Each step was one more up the mountain of growth. I am still walking up that mountain, but now I take breaks on a mossy rock and sip the cool spring water flowing beside me.
I cannot be phenomenal without experience. I cannot be brave without failures. And I cannot attain greater spirituality or emotional intelligence without the tribulations that occurred throughout my life.
I healed them through prayer, perseverance, along with faith and hope. For without hope, we have nothing.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Ha! The public version of me is the real me… I mean… yea you may not see me with the messy hair and mascara scrubbed all across my eye sockets at night, but I am who I say I am. I am goofy, I am honest, I am a seeker of Spirit and love. And I want to help others feel that spirit of love. It is so damned valuable!
My dear husband once accused me in an angry voice saying , “you’re always trying to save people”. And I am not a good quick responder mostly. I like to let it soak in and build a war machine in my head before I speak.. lol….I do. When I spoke I said, “If I am put on this earth to show people how to love, and how to SEE themselves and situations by wearing the shoes of others then YES that is me saving people! I call it an inspirer! So let’s reframe that. I am truly and encourager.
Sometimes the only way to show others you “get them” is to show them that hey, “I’ve been down that road! I know how it feels…”. it is in my artwork. Not always depressing, sometimes quite humorous but the point is I want humans to LOVE better and do better and stop being so selfish that others bury themselves.
I have always valued integrity and honesty in all relationships. And the older I get the less I dance around telling people what they need to hear – if they ask (mostly).
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I deeply understand the frivolity of life on Earth. If you take a look back at history, the British et al wanted the land of the now USA because there were wide open fields, unspoiled forests of trees- fresh water streams. So they got here…along with my Irish ancestors and farmed and felt free. Then here along come city builders and men & women who value material things, ease of life and uber eats (even I like a good uber eats free from cooking night). Then we had to have Taxes to pay for city plumbing, electric, conveniences and the spoils.
What are we doing people? Social media is fake, suicides are on the increase, kids eat and sit all day. Soon walking outside in the woods will soon be a thing of the past. Jealousy…. People see and want what others have without actually working to get it. Do you know there are only 45 years left of fossil fuels? Better go buy a horse and learn how to churn butter from an udder. I’m just sayin.
It’s a tough thought isn’t it? We created our own demise as humans and we seek to go back to the simpler things when we take vacation. Who is ready to change it? Why or why not?
Imagine if we lived 100 years ago. I couldn’t do this interview. No one would know who I am except the people I lived around and could get to and back in one day on a horse. Sometimes that is not a bad thing.
It is mind boggling if you think about the pro’s and con’s.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.triciafaulknerart.com
- Instagram: tricia_faulknerart
- Linkedin: Tricia Faulkner
- Facebook: Tricia Faulkner
Image Credits
Tricia Faulkner
