Emily Stam Finds Art Both Challenging and Rewarding
Updated Jan 2023: Maker’s Tech U is no longer open.
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Maker’s Tech U Member Spotlight SERIES
Artist chat with Emily Stam, a mixed-media artist living in Utah. Emily has always been drawn to creativity and the arts, even as a little girl but it wasn’t until college that she got serious about drawing and painting while in a scenery design class.
In this interview we chat about Emily's art, how she find art both challenging and rewarding, how her experience in theater arts has shaped her creative journey and how being a member of Maker's Tech U has helped her grow her online presence and so much more!
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How would you describe your art?
I consider myself a mixed-media artist. I’ve dabbled in many different types of art over the years, but I enjoy mixing different types of mediums the most. I like to see how paints and materials play together and how they look.
What is it about creating that lights you up?
I have always loved learning and when I master a new skill, I feel accomplished. Art is challenging and rewarding at the same time. Art soothes my soul and makes me happy.
How do you live a creative life?
I try to do something creative and artistic at least every weekend. Lately, I’ve been trying to work in my studio for at least a few minutes each day. That can be anything from painting and drawing to sorting and organizing.
How would you describe your creative process?
The process varies with the project. Sometimes, I get ideas in my head and they swirl around there until I create a piece and get the ideas out of my head. Other times, I look at pictures other artists have created or videos to help spark some ideas.
What is your biggest obstacle when it comes to creating?
Definitely time. I teach Language Arts online full time and I have three kids still at home. By the end of the day, I’m pretty tired. :)
Do you ever experience creative blocks and what do you do to overcome them?
I experience creative blocks often. If I haven’t created for a while, I get out some paints and alcohol inks and make painted papers to use for collage.
How has your creative journey changed from when you first started creating?
My creative journey has been a long time coming. I taught an exploratory art class several years ago and creating the lesson plans helped me realize how much I love art. I found Roben-Marie and friends in 2014 and started learning a variety of art techniques with The Documented Life Project and created a planner/art journal. I also joined an art group on Facebook and discovered artist trading cards. Those two endeavors led to trying new things and here I am.
Has technology been a struggle for you in creating an online presence or selling your art online? In what way?
Technology is a challenge for me when it comes to the art world. I originally had a personal Facebook and Instagram page and posted things about my family. I opened an Etsy shop and have been fortunate enough to sell a few things, but I’m not familiar with all of the settings in Etsy and I know I don’t maximize the shop as much as I could.
What has benefited you the most from being a member of Maker’s Tech U?
Since joining Makers Tech U, I have an Instagram and Facebook page for Some Art Designs and a Facebook for Art-On-the-Go so I can get the word out about my paint parties. I’ve learned so much about Instagram, hashtags, stories, highlights, and algorithms. I’ve used Canva for my job and online classes I am taking. With the help of the tutorials and Roben-Marie, I created my own website after struggling on my own for years.
How has your online presence changed since you joined Maker’s Tech U and applied what you have learned?
I actually have an online presence now and I look forward to continuing to move forward and create blog posts as well as setting up my online shop.
What advice would you give to other creatives struggling to move forward for fear of technology?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I struggled with my website for years. I wasted so much time and money trying to do it on my own and it was all so quick and easy after joining Makers Tech U.
What changes would you like to make in your creative journey over the next six months?
I want to set up my online shop and create artwork to sell. I also want to publish some blog posts about my art process. I would like to record some process videos since I haven’t yet ventured into the video aspect of art creation yet. Long-term goals include teaching classes and more paint parties.
What fun activity comes second in your life to creating?
I love to have movie nights with my family and when I have time, I like to get lost in a good book. I also like to digitally scrapbook on my phone.
Describe your workspace or studio…
My workspace started as a closet in our guest bedroom. SInce then, I have worked in our second garage-turned-playroom, the bed in my room, the living room floor, and eventually the dining room table. After using the table as my art space for a few years, my oldest moved out, the second oldest moved into his old room, and my husband and boys turned our office/front bedroom into a beautiful studio for me. The room has wood flooring, the accent wall is faux white-washed brick, and my artwork is hanging up now. I bought some cute curtains and added decorative touches to the shelving and storage they added to the room and I am now surrounded by artistic things that I love. I have a work desk and a rolling art table with room for several artists, or children. It is definitely my safe space and full of creative inspiration. It will soon be organized and more efficient. :)
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Emily Stam
Emily Stam has always been drawn to creativity and the arts, even as a little girl. It wasn’t until college that she got serious about drawing and painting while in a scenery design class. The assignments were challenging and she loved everything about the design process. Soon after, she was hired as a prop master and scenic artist while as a student in the theater department at Southern Utah University. The artistic skills learned while in college were useful when she started her career as a theater teacher in Las Vegas, NV.
Originally called Sm’Art Cards, Some Art Designs originated as a hobby in 2001. Scrapbooking eventually morphed into card and tag making. Many friends and family members were looking for a personal touch in the greeting cards or gifts they sent out for Christmas. They were excited to custom order their handmade cards. The company was created to share handmade, custom cards with the extra personal touch mass-produced greeting cards often lack. Several people ordered sets of cards, but card making and art was still only an occasional hobby.
In 2008, Emily interviewed for a Language Arts position at a new school in St. George, UT. The principal looked through her portfolio and offered her a job on the spot. The position was not the one she interviewed for but he instead asked her to teach Exploratory Arts and open the school as the first yearbook advisor. While preparing lessons for art class and helping students design yearbook pages, she realized how much she loved creating and teaching art. When the class title changed to theater arts, art once again slipped to the back burner and became an occasional hobby.
In 2014, Emily saw a post on Pinterest about The Documented Life Project and joined the ladies of Art to the 5th in a year-long art journal/documenting project, which continued for a couple more years. The idea combined her love for scrapbooking, journaling, and memory keeping with artistic techniques. Around that same time, she went to a “found art” workshop and learned how to create art from items found around the house or classroom to be used in school lessons. Her love for mixed-media and art journaling was born! Thanks to artists like Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman, and Sandi Keene, she was able to learn new art techniques and work toward finding her own art style. Building Some Art Designs and creating became relevant in her life again and was the perfect outlet for stress-relief.
After teaching theater and language arts for over twenty years, Emily decided to take some time off and focus on her art, her health and being a wife and a mom to four boys. During that time she was accepted into Makers Tech U as a beta tester and has since then has been working toward improvement as an artist.