Jessica McClain: Working with Resin

Did you think of yourself as a creative kid? What does creativity look like for you these days?

As a child you would always find me with my nose in a book or a pencil in my hand. At one point I truly believed I would write poetry and become famous for how my words impacted others. Words weren’t the only thing that captured me as a child. I’d sculpt with whatever I got my hands on – usually homemade Play-Doh, paper clips, paper, etc. I’d color with whatever was around me. I was proud to be called creative. It was my form of escape. My form of processing life. However, sometime between my adolescent and teen years, I just stopped. I stopped writing, drawing, making, just stopped. Even now, I cannot pinpoint that moment. What I do know, looking back, is that I greatly suffered. I suffered under the weight of what I was supposed to be and do. I spent years denying that I was creative. Then motherhood came and I needed an outlet. A light in the darkness that was my postpartum experience. I tapped back into my inner child and what brought me joy. First it started with creating perfumes for energetic wellness, moved into writing guided meditations, and now? All the above. I do not restrict my creativity!

Creativity these days looks a smidge different and yet the same as when I was a child. I may be using on brand paints and resin now – but the freedom I feel when creating is very much there. In the famous words by Sesame Street – “I wonder? What if? Let’s try!”

Tell us about a day in your life, how do you fit in creative moments?

 “I am a stay-at-home mom by day and business owner by nights and weekends!” You can hear me say to potential customers at markets and events.

You’ll find me creating my resin pieces long after my children are in bed or in the care of my husband. After donning a respirator, gloves, and turning on my office’s air purifier, I only have an hour or two to create. While I cannot actively work with resin with my children present – I can daydream and plan other parts of my business which includes writing guided meditations, creating workshops, writing drafts in my blogs, and planning for art I have yet to create. I fit those moments in when I can. Daydreaming while picking up yet another fallen yogurt cup. Jotting down an idea in the middle of a make-believe restaurant. Sending myself a voice memo shuttling the kids around. It all happens in random moments when they can! Then all of those ideas can come together when I am able to MAKE the time. Something I am still struggling with almost 5 years into motherhood despite a partner and support system who can give me the time.

Within all of those moments are moments of creativity and inspiration I have with my children. Creating an awesome Magna Tile tower to be knocked down, rolling out an endless supply of snakes with Play-Doh, playing monster attack using play couch cushions as a fortress. My children provide so many opportunities to get on their level and just PLAY. When I feel so stuck in my own grown-up created ruts, I am reminded just how much actual playtime can shake out the cobwebs!

What do you hope your kids will learn about creativity from you?

I have two wildly different children. The oldest being my very physical nearly wild child and my youngest being focused and equally chaotic. One thrives in gymnastics and the other dance. Both equally creative in their own precious ways.

I want them both, and even their friends, to understand that creativity is not only in the form of art, dance, literature. It can be found in the form of problem solving, building blocks, finding a route across a river. We are all creative. Even if we aren’t creative in the “traditional” sense. I want my children to learn that practice does not make perfect. Instead, practice makes better. I want them to strive for satisfaction instead of a never reaching goal of perfection. Ultimately, I don’t want them to wind up like me for so many years – in a box with no outlet.

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Jessica resides just outside of Seattle Washington with her husband and two young children. Her four and a half year old son and recently turned two year old daughter gives her a run for her money daily. When she isn’t balancing all of the hats that come with her personal life from mother to wife – you may find her at a local art or metaphysical market where she shares her gift of insight as well as her art; snapshots of fantasy, reality, and the duality of it all within epoxy resin. Someday soon you will find Jessica supporting others in finding their own sense of self through workshops and retreats. You can follow her journey on Substack, join her Facebook group, or find her on Instagram.

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