You are such an
interesting person, and your work is whimsical, magical and ethereal. How does
your creative process work? Do you call these things into the world, or do they
seek you out?
The creative process is
sort of like a maze. It's riddled with a network of 'inspiration-sparks' and
laced with interconnecting ideas. Collecting all these bits and bobs are like
putting together a puzzle, except that you have no idea what it's going to look
like. That's all part of the fun -- the discovery; the not-knowing what the results
will be or what message it'll communicate. The creative process is akin to
unearthing and exposing hidden parts of the self. It's an intimate experience
with mind and spirit.
You've been drawing from a
young age. Did you know from the beginning that you were an artist?
I think that my innate
desire coming into this world was to be a 'creative channeler' in some sense.
From the age of two, I kept myself quietly preoccupied for hours, drawing away
in my own little world, and soon after making folded and stapled books with
written stories accompanying the drawings. I don't think I ever thought of it
in terms of whether or not I was an artist, because I think we're all generally
born artists of some kind or other whether we realize it or not. As long as
there's a passion, it's what you do with the natural creative spark that
matters. It's all about nurturing and cultivating that spark.
What artists or
individuals serve as your muse?
I especially adore the
classic and imaginative works of Aubrey Beardsley, Arthur Rackham, Kay Nielson,
Sumalith Wulfing, and Gustav Klimt. Musicians have always served as my muse in
a big way as well; I listen to music while drawing and painting. Writers such
as Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft really spark my imagination, too.
It seems that energy work
is related to the artistic process. Where does your own Reiki practice
intersect with your art?
It's difficult to do your
best work when you aren't feeling at your best. Reiki is energy healing; it's
pacifying, it's rejuvenating, it repairs and energizes body, mind and spirit.
When I'm pumped with a sense of boundless energy and feeling super-fantastic,
the creative fire within is ablaze and I'm more able to reach above and beyond.
How did you become
involved with the paranormal/ghost hunting community?
I've always had a keen
interest in paranormal studies since I was a child. There were unexplained
things happening in the house while growing up. However, in today's community
sense, I would have to say that my involvement began in 2004 when I was asked
to do a segment on a Canadian TV show called Shadow Hunter. I presented my art
and talked about the fae for their episode on faeries. Ever since then, I've
made solid friendships with others embracing the world of paranormal studies.
It's a fascinating time in history as the veil between worlds thins, revealing
things that blow our minds. And the more we discover, the more questions we
have. And the more questions we ask, the more we all evolve.
I asked Tarot artist
Jackie Williams this question, now let me ask you: how does Tarot art differ
from the other work you do?
Art, in general, requires
zero guidelines. Art simply is what it desires to be. There are no limitations.
With tarot, however, there are standard guidelines that apply. A tarot card
requires fundamental symbolism that needs to be weaved into the image so that
it's useful and meaningful to the tarot reader. The interpretations of each
card's basic structure can be unique and personal, but the representation still
needs to be effective.
You also compose music and
write poetry. Does this all come from the same creative source?
It's inter-connected. All
of these varying facets of creativity are reflections of the others. I see my
music as an extension of my visual art, a soundscape to the little worlds I do
my best to bring forth. I draw and paint every day, which is why I need to take
mini-breaks from my art so that I can come back to it the next day with a fresh
outlook. The music and the writing shift my creative focus and expand my
perspective; sort of like jumping from hilltop to cloud to star to moon, and
back again. I find little trinkets in all these places, and store them in the
subconscious.
Describe how you work -
what is a day like for you?
Once I'm up, ready, and in
my art studio, time as we know it takes on a life of its own. I put on the
music -- or Coast to Coast AM - or Darkness Radio - and I work, work, work. By
the end of the day, the table's are covered in sketches, most of which will
never be seen, just for the record. Some days are exciting, and others are
downright frustrating... but I wouldn't want to be doing anything differently
than creating.
What is in store for
Paulina Cassidy?
Being courageous. Pushing
myself to reach beyond my comfort zone. Surprising myself. Continually evolving
as an artist and a person. Never ever stopping. What is inevitably in store?
Paulina Cassidy will become stranger as time goes on. And I say this with a
wink and a smile in my heart.
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