Jessica Serra Huizenga: Making Beautiful Messes

How does art enrich your life? How does being a mother enrich your art?

I believe art is what unlocks magic deep in our hearts. It speaks to us on a level we sometimes can’t even consciously realize, but it has us confront a range of emotions from joy to comfort to curiosity and everything in between. Whether creating art or collecting art, if we surround ourselves with things that speak to our souls, we’re that much more attuned to discovering inner happiness. As a mother, I find myself confronting even more emotions than usual (beautiful, messy, profound, and scary), which I think brings my art to a much deeper level of exploration. It’s no longer just about me and me alone - it’s about healing myself to be a better mother and to have more to give, while also leaving a legacy for my daughter. 

How did motherhood change your creative practice? 

While I still try to maintain some creative time that’s just for me, my favorite thing now is getting time to be creative WITH my daughter. I set up a small art table in our dining room that has a big paper pad, pencils, crayons, markers, and watercolor paints so she has the freedom to make art anytime she wants. She often asks my husband or I to join in, and allowing space for us to get silly and have fun with no rules or expectations is so liberating! As an adult it’s easy to put pressure on ourselves to create something perfect (or profitable), but watching my daughter be so open and free is a humbling reminder to sometimes create just for the sake of creation, not for any particular end result.

What helps you make time and space for being creative? How do you avoid burn out?

Honestly, since becoming a mom I find it harder to make time and space for being intentionally creative. What used to be a more spontaneous, fluid process now feels more scheduled and structured, but I think that’s part of finding my groove in this new season of life. Transitions are rarely comfortable, but I try to be more aware that change is necessary for growth and evolution. Avoiding burnout means putting a lot less pressure on myself to create within a certain scheduled timeframe, so if that means more time passes between creative practices than before, that’s okay. I sometimes need to nudge myself a little more to begin (when it would be so much easier to just crawl into bed), but I also never force it. When inspiration strikes, I just try to lean into it as much as feels possible and safe in that moment.
 
Who would you love to collaborate with? What’s a dream project for you?

Working on a project  with Tiffany Pratt would be a dream - I can only imagine how magical it would be! I also think it would be fun to do a collaboration with Little Words Project. I really enjoy not only their product, but their mission and brand as well. 

How would you like the world to see artists and mothers? 

I would love to think the world could see mothers and artists as integral, valuable, contributing members of society. I think both perform a lot of “behind the scenes” functions that would really help everyone to thrive. Raising the next generation of humans and making the world a more beautiful, thoughtful place may not be currently seen as important as it really is. The people and things we surround ourselves with are so important to how we decide to show up in this world - both as individuals and collaborators - so in order to thrive as a society…as a culture…as a species…we need to start valuing deeper connections and showing compassion (for ourselves and others). We need to be able to tap into the nurturing, creative sides of ourselves in a way that feels productive and cherished.

“In these critical times of stress, financial struggles, and mental chaos, it seems imperative that genuine compassion for ourselves and others becomes the focal point for an evolutionary shift in our society.” - Patt Lind-Kyle in Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace, and Presence

How can we support and encourage each other more?

I think trying to get back to genuine, meaningful connection is key to finding (and providing) support and encouragement. In a time where we’re more “connected” than ever (to devices, to social media, etc.), we’ve never been more disconnected from our own selves. Inner work must be done before we can begin the outer work, but once we’re each able to discover our own unique spark, imagine the collective light that can shine.  

Being open, honest, and vulnerable can feel scary, but I think the more we share our stories with each other, we all feel less alone. 

If you had a million dollars to make the world a better place, how would you spend it?

I’d revamp an ice cream truck to turn it into a mobile confetti bar and travel around the country, inspiring others to make & embrace beautiful messes while simultaneously investing in people & businesses that have a heartfelt vision to also help make the world a better place. :) 

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Jessica Serra Huizenga (aka JSH) is an artist, author, and photographer based in CT where she lives with her handsome & helpful husband, their delightfully daring daughter (age 2.5), and one curious cat. She runs The Confetti Bar, a lifestyle brand and artistic confetti studio that believes in making & embracing beautiful messes. She delights in creating unique, bright, and engaging content that makes people smile. At the core of everything she does is her mission to spread magic, color, inspiration, and, of course, confetti. You can find personal updates on Instagram at @jessicaserrahuizenga, plus follow her adventures in Confetti Land at www.theconfettibar.com and on Instagram @theconfettibar.

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Hi! I’m Heidi. Writer. Editor. Mother. I’m interviewing 100 creative mothers, because I believe the more we see other mothers making beauty and meaning in small moments, the more we will be inspired to make our own kind of art, whatever that may look like during this intense season of life. Support the project by sharing with a friend.