Emily Watts on Overcoming Illness with Creativity
06/15/24 • 68 min
How do you keep your creative spirit alive while facing the challenges of a chronic illness? Emily Watts, an accomplished animator and passionate quilter, shares her personal journey, balancing her artistic passions with the realities of debilitating fatigue and vertigo. Growing up with a love for art, her parents once advised her to keep it as a hobby, but Emily defied that advice, transitioning from a corporate job to a thriving career in animation. Her story is a testament to overcoming both personal and professional hurdles, drawing strength from her creative endeavors.
Emily’s life is woven with the threads of digital animation and tactile quilting. Discover how she found solace in quilting through the Santa Monica Quilt Guild during her toughest times, and how the physical and community aspects of quilting complemented her digital work. Emily offers a candid look into the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition, the complexities of differentiating between symptoms, and the comfort she finds in her creative projects despite the limitations imposed by her health.
In our conversation, Emily also talks about the profound impact of her plant-themed quilt, a year-long project that became a symbol of perseverance and personal growth. Initially overlooked for its simplicity, the quilt resonated deeply with many due to its heartfelt backstory. Emily reflects on the value of simple connections, the universal experience of self-doubt, and the importance of patience and perseverance. This episode is an inspiring exploration of redefining identity, embracing change, and finding joy and meaning in art and adversity. Join us for an enriching discussion on the intersection of creativity and resilience.
You can follow here on @emilywattsquilts on Instagram
How do you keep your creative spirit alive while facing the challenges of a chronic illness? Emily Watts, an accomplished animator and passionate quilter, shares her personal journey, balancing her artistic passions with the realities of debilitating fatigue and vertigo. Growing up with a love for art, her parents once advised her to keep it as a hobby, but Emily defied that advice, transitioning from a corporate job to a thriving career in animation. Her story is a testament to overcoming both personal and professional hurdles, drawing strength from her creative endeavors.
Emily’s life is woven with the threads of digital animation and tactile quilting. Discover how she found solace in quilting through the Santa Monica Quilt Guild during her toughest times, and how the physical and community aspects of quilting complemented her digital work. Emily offers a candid look into the emotional toll of living with a chronic condition, the complexities of differentiating between symptoms, and the comfort she finds in her creative projects despite the limitations imposed by her health.
In our conversation, Emily also talks about the profound impact of her plant-themed quilt, a year-long project that became a symbol of perseverance and personal growth. Initially overlooked for its simplicity, the quilt resonated deeply with many due to its heartfelt backstory. Emily reflects on the value of simple connections, the universal experience of self-doubt, and the importance of patience and perseverance. This episode is an inspiring exploration of redefining identity, embracing change, and finding joy and meaning in art and adversity. Join us for an enriching discussion on the intersection of creativity and resilience.
You can follow here on @emilywattsquilts on Instagram
Previous Episode
Threads of Emotion: Sarah Hibbert's Personal and Artistic Growth
What happens when bold, vibrant quilt designs meet a quiet, humble artist? On this episode of Breaking the Blocks, we welcome the extraordinary Sarah Hibbert. Her stunning creations feature whimsical elements like coffee cups and fried eggs, reminiscent of Andy Warhols flair. We discuss her unique artistic voice, shaped by her upbringing with a graphic designer father, and how she overcame shyness and creative blocks to express her true self through quilting.
Sarah opens up about her journey through the quilting community, where she battled imposter syndrome and found solace and acceptance. Quilting became her therapeutic refuge during difficult times, including miscarriages, and a way to connect with others. Learn about her ongoing hand quilting project, "Wild Blue," a meditative practice that serves as a personal journal of her life's experiences and emotions. Through Sarah’s story, we explore the powerful themes of healing, storytelling, and the strong sense of community within the quilting world.
In our heartfelt exploration of Sarah's artistic journey, we discuss her transition to working with linen, her unique use of color, and the deep influence of her graphic designer father. Listen to her touching anecdotes about incorporating her father's drawings into her quilts and the emotional process of letting go of such personal pieces. Sarah reflects on her achievements, the lessons learned through friendships and teaching, and her openness to future possibilities. This episode promises an inspiring and intimate look at an artist who has turned her creative blocks into stepping stones.
You can follow Sarah on @quiltscornerstone on Instagram and her book is titled: From Collage to Quilt
Next Episode
Quilting Through ADHD: Kate Sandford’s Creative Lifeline and Journey of Self-Discovery
What happens when quilting becomes a lifeline for someone managing ADHD? Artist Kate Sandford joins us on Breaking the Blocks to share her transformative journey. She recounts her path from art college to embracing quilting, highlighting how this creative outlet helped her navigate the complexities of ADHD while raising young children. Listen as Kate reveals her early memories of making things and her passion for art, explaining how quilting offered a structured yet expressive way to channel her energy and creativity.
Returning to art after intense self-doubt and a recent ADHD diagnosis at 48, Kate offers an emotional and candid look at her struggles with feelings of inadequacy. She discusses the significant role of hormones, how her children's experiences with autism and ADHD influenced her self-understanding, and the importance of seeking help and support. The episode touches on the challenges of growing up as a creative child under pressure to conform and how these experiences shaped her approach to parenting and personal identity.
Kate also opens up about the therapeutic power of crafting in managing mental health, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-expression. From the excitement of attending a two-day masterclass to the mixed feelings of receiving an autism diagnosis later in life, she reflects on the continuous process of healing and self-discovery. Join us for an inspiring discussion on the transformative power of art, the necessity of understanding one's unique neurological wiring, and the value of finding supportive communities.
Follow Kate on @katemustsew on Instagram
Breaking the Blocks - Emily Watts on Overcoming Illness with Creativity
Transcript
Hello and welcome back to another episode of Breaking the Blocks . I'm your host , rachel Pierman . I absolutely loved the conversation I had with today's guest , emily Watts . You can find her on Instagram , emilywattsquilts , if you'd like to follow her there . She is a quilter , but she's also a full-time animator . What I find fascinating about Emily is how she is being . What I
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/breaking-the-blocks-482546/emily-watts-on-overcoming-illness-with-creativity-64498367"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to emily watts on overcoming illness with creativity on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy