Tea for Creatives: Sherry Rouillard – Live, Laugh, Love…Create!

Written by Possibiliteas. Posted in Blog

Sherry Rouillard is an artist and an inspiration to hundreds of young people and adults whose lives she reaches through art classes, camps and events in Western New England. Her passion is making a difference teaching art to students whose abilities can range from gifted and talented to struggling to hold a paint brush. Sherry’s verve for life and her desire to be of service are remarkable, considering she is living with Parkinson’s Disease. A dedicated mom, soccer coach, competitive ballroom dancer and volunteer for a number of charitable causes, Sherry finds the “magic in every moment” that life brings to her.

A native of Burlington, Connecticut, Sherry began her interests in art and music at age six. She trained classically for 25 years playing flute and piccolo. When life redirected her musical ambitions, Sherry pursued studies in studio and fine art, art history, and communications. After a number of years in the corporate world, including ESPN, Sherry was drawn back to the arts through a volunteer opportunity with Let’s Gogh Arts. Today, Sherry is one of their most popular Creativity Instructors for school programs, art camps, art parties and face painting at events ranging from marathons to corporate fundraisers. Teaching and having the support of a wonderful group of people has brought Sherry back to what truly makes her happy… living a creative life and sharing special moments with family, friends and “her greatest masterpiece,” her son.

We hope you are inspired by Sherry’s insights on living a creative life.

Define creativity. What does it mean to you?
Creativity is an expression of who you are. I tell people there is no wrong way to do art because they are expressing their individuality. It’s how they feel and how they visualize things. I don’t see [what they see] in their minds…I can guide them to bring that out and I can teach them, but not tell them how to do it or that they are doing it right or wrong. Creativity is about their emotions and the state they are in when they are creating. Here’s an example: I could put an empty vase in front of you but in your mind it may not be empty. It may not even be sitting on the table in front of you. In your mind’s eye, you might see it someplace else. In my mind, the vase would be something totally different…What would it be?  Where would it be? What emotion does it evoke? That is the expression of creativity.

What unexpected directions has creativity/being creative taken your life/career?
I grew up with the arts and music as a part of my life. My mom played flute, my dad played drums and there are other artists in the family. There wasn’t a day that went by that creating, in some form, wasn’t encouraged. Sometimes the way moments collide in life, you are taken off or redirected from the path you thought you were meant to be on. I had auditioned and been accepted into the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. At that time, only allowed one student from other schools in the area was permitted to attend GHAFA. It was unexpected…another student was already attending and therefore I could not go.

During college, I took a job full time in a corporate field and continued that path until, years later, I came across a volunteer opportunity I couldn’t resist with a company called Let’s Gogh Art based in Massachusetts. That experience and the people there have changed my life. They also helped me get back to what is truly important in my life and been incredibly supportive along the way. Now, I am a part of their teaching staff—bringing art into the lives of children of all abilities, and, at events I also get to help adults bring out their inner creative child.

How do you navigate the creative process?
I don’t even know, it’s just natural to me. My students say I have magical powers!

Who or what inspires you?

On a daily basis, my son is my inspiration. We live by a few simple rules:  We have open communication, trust, honesty and absolutely no yelling is allowed. We have been through things together people would never even imagine and it has made our bond even stronger. We also share a “wish list,” based on the book The Wish List and we use that to share all kinds of experiences and adventures in life. It’s been an amazing journey with him and he’s truly learning the meaning of follow your bliss and how to live to make each day count. (photo credit Christina Houser Photography)

Describe the biggest creative obstacle you’ve faced. How did you work through it?
Recently, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and this has forced me to re-evaluate my life and how I do things. I have had to question and examine everything in order to be able to find ways for everything to work—parenting, teaching, working, and being as involved in life and my favorite activities as I want to be. I have had to put things together to work for my son and me. I have to make adjustments that allow me to continue doing things I love at what I would consider as much of a normal pace as possible. I use the word “normal” in the sense that I could continue walking into a classroom whether I was feeling good or bad, and I could continue to create a feeling of  “Yes!  We are going to have the most spectacular day ever!” for every child in that room.

Also, my work has given me a glimpse of every version of ‘normal’—from kids or adults who are have no health issues to those who are diagnosed with sensory issues, ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Anxiety, etc. This has meant adjusting things for the child and still having everyone do the same projects as one team, as I like to look at it. Teaching these children has taught me so much, and those lessons are now at work in my life as I navigate living with PD.

Who is your favorite creative figure? How have they inspired your creativity?
I usually tell people to look no further than the people around you for inspiration. They are the your everyday people but also the most important people in your lives. My favorite creative has always been my Aunt Rosalie. Art was and always will be “our special thing.” She taught pottery at the Guilford Art Academy in Connecticut. She always believed in me and always found the good in everyone. She was the most positive and happy person I knew. Aunt Rosie was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 2013 and passed away in August of that year. Through it all, art was the one thing we shared. After teaching classes, I would share with her all the magical things that happened in class that day, which brought a smile to her face. All around my home, I have her pottery, reminders of her, including my favorite tea mug. Each day I teach class, if I can bring out joy in my students and help them to feel special and inspired about what they are doing, then I have not only done my job I have also brought forth all that my aunt taught me to inspire others.

What quote or theme song would choose as your mantra?
“If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.” This is a Mister Rogers quote and it’s how I try to live my life. And, a theme song would have to be Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.

Do you have a ritual that sustains your creative process?
I have a few things I do, not only for teaching but also for myself as an artist, and to help prepare myself for whatever the day might bring. Before teaching, I have a play list I listen to before and after class. Sort of my gear up/cool down lists. In the morning, I have certain dance exercises I do courtesy of my wonderful ballroom dance teacher. This really helps prepare me, physically. I have been a ballroom dancer for years, and I want to keep going despite my recent diagnosis; it brings me great joy and helps me to relax. love to use charcoal and will often begin with that medium when I am creating for myself, or just simply to unwind.

What character from a film best represents your philosophy on life & creativity?
Mr. Magorium from Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium.  He took every moment to just enjoy life! And, Michael J. Fox has really inspired me through his books and his philosophy on living with Parkinson’s Disease.

What is your favorite Possibiliteas tea and why?
My favorite Possibiliteas teas are Claritea and Creativitea. I love the notes and flavors in both of these teas. Whether hot or iced, both teas are refreshing and soothing. They put me in the perfect frame of mind, body and soul for creating.

Sherry’s parting words of wisdom:
Create a bucket list! No matter how young or old you are, do everything you want during your life. Don’t let anyone tell you something can’t be done. And, remember what it’s like to be a child: play, create, enjoy.

Connect with Sherry Rouillard:

Art Classes & Events www.letsgoghartwestma.com and www.dazzledayfacepainters.com

Blog: www.sherryrouillardlivelaughloveanddance.com

Tags: art teacher, artist, ballroom dancer, claritea, Creativitea, creativity, Lets Gough Arts, parkinson's disease, Possibiliteas, Purpose Records, sherry rouillard, tea for creatives, teaching art

Trackback from your site.