Feeling into Your Art – Bibby Gignilliat – Ep 140
August 21, 2024
ON TODAY’S EPISODE
Bibby Gignilliat had stopped painting years ago because she had a critical teacher who made her feel like she was talentless. So she spent years as a computer programmer, worked in adventure travel, and even ran her own cooking business. By all measures of success, she was successful.
She continuously pushed her dream of being an artist and having her own gallery show aside. Today, Bibby and I are painting in her studio. She’s an accomplished mixed-media artist who incorporates her travels into her art.
It all started because she was willing to push aside what she’d been told about herself and started listening to herself. Bibby shares her path back to her art—and how she let her intuition lead the way—in this episode of the Art2Life Podcast.
Listen if you are interested in…
- Learn more about Bibby’s art and studio [2:26]
- Bibby’s path back to her art [5:45]
- Art is freedom [12:08]
- Letting intuition lead the way [15:44]
- The impact of Covid [27:32]
- Art over energy healing [29:33]
- The creative breadcrumbs challenge [29:58]
- The business of art [33:38]
- What Bibby’s work represents [34:46]
- Bibby’s commitment to learning [39:56]
- What’s next for Bibby? [45:35]
Bibby’s path back to her art
10 years ago, someone told Bibby to “Take a class with Nick Wilton” to get back into art. Right after taking my class, she got a space in my building. She decided it was time to walk toward her fear.
Then she took a class with a collage artist and got great feedback. Eight months in, she sold eight pieces of work. She just kept pushing forward. She took classes with everyone that appealed to her to earn her own version of a Master’s in Art.
And as she dove further into her art, and became more of who she was supposed to be, her art became better. She’s since done two self-directed art residencies where she finds a location that inspires her and goes and paints for two weeks.
Bibby creates large pieces of work that she’d love to get into more galleries. She’s currently working on a commission for a hotel and would love to do more. Bibby isn’t afraid to branch out, try new things, and continue to let her intuition lead the way.
Letting intuition lead the way
Bibby knew she wanted to start teaching but didn’t feel ready. After running into me and explaining her feelings, I told her to start before she was ready. So she practiced with some friends and dove in. She’s been teaching classes ever since.
Bibby believes that when we paint, something higher than ourselves is coming through. The more we can clear the vessel, the better the work is. Your thoughts create your reality. They create your emotions. They create your feelings and moods. Your thoughts impact everything.
After attending a Joe Dispenza retreat, Bibby decided to focus on connecting with other artists and people coming into her studio. She wanted to focus on joy. She wasn’t going to worry about sales. The vibration she was putting off was a high frequency. That year, she sold 30 paintings.
Feeling into your art
Bibby’s work brings her complete joy. It’s a deep connection with something bigger than herself. Her work incorporates layers and textures, representing the conscious and subconscious.
Bibby paints from a place of pure freedom. She knows something is “working” intuitively. She feels it in her body. A painting is never really done. You could look at it six months later and want to change it. A painting is a diary of the moment. In the moment, it feels done.
What if you’re really thriving? What if you make your art from a point of flourishing? What if you’re able to let go and feel into your art?
Resources & People Mentioned
- The Academy of Intuition Medicine
- The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
- The Portland Art Gallery
Connect with Bibby Gignilliat
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Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.