We recently had the chance to connect with Bethany Owens and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Bethany , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Expanding my business by exploring different art forms. I’ve always had an incredible desire to start my art collection, but, always felt like I needed to have everything just perfect before I do. I have learned that there is no such thing as perfection, and being ready isn’t a feeling; it’s an action! I am ready to embark on that journey and see where it takes me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi Readers!
I am Bethany Owens. I am the owner of Free Spirited Artistry.. My company provides professional face and body painting, body glitter, fairy hair, balloon twisting, and henna! I have been face painting for 18 years and have had an amazing journey so far since starting the business in 2019.
My business is a homage to my grandmother, Gladys Santiago. She has taught me everything I know about art, and I wouldn’t be the artist I am without her. Her best words ever spoken that have stuck with me till this day: “If you create it, you become it. If you become it, then that’s who you are.”
The business has grown drastically, and now I have an awesome team of artists with whom I am thrilled to share this journey. I am proud to be creating a work environment where artistic expression is valued and celebrated. I am excited to be partnering with several businesses, such as The Downtown Cary Park, Phillips Farm of Cary, Marbles Kids Museum, and I’ve also done segments with the My Carolina Show for Halloween!
In addition, I also specialize in Glow UV body painting, which is quite the experience for both myself and the client! I work with people’s unique energy to produce a stunning piece that is specifically for them. It is abstract, bright, and beautiful. I always love how it touches each person in such a special way. I currently offer this service every weekend at Legends Nightclub downtown Raleigh, and I am now marketing this service for wedding receptions, Bachelorette and bachelor parties!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My deepened relationship with God. I grew up understanding religion, but as I got older, I began to crave a closer relationship. It started when I decided to stay sober and stop drinking alcohol, and from there, I started to see myself as God sees me, which is perfect in His image. Learning more about God has taught me so much about myself, and it truly has saved my life!
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The relationship with my ex was definetly one of the most hurtful experinences of my life. I experienced heartbreak, heartache, betrayal, mental, phsyical and emotional abuse, narcissiism, alcoho abuse/addiction and lots of loss in between. What I thought was normal; was far from healthy, loving and wholesome for 10 years. 7 years in I decided to stop drinking,I found an amazing therapist and mentor, worked on my relationship with God, and eventually got the strength to leave the relationship. Through that experience, I learned how to heal from truama, find new methods to maintain healhy boundaries, found love and grace for myself, trust in my intution and leaning on God for guidance and navigation in life. There were a lot of dark moments that I went through and I am so blessed for God’s saving grace and for providing an outstanding support system of friends and family who have remained steadfast through some of the most toughest years of my life. I am now in a wonderful, loving and healthy relationship with the most amazing person, I thrive with my lovey cats and have found my soft voice of truth. Every day I show gratitude for God keeping me close to so I may experience all he has in store for me!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Being emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy, the relationships and people in my life, and cooking for them (haha), God, my cats, and future cat rescue, being an artist, having deep intellectual conversations, knowing the truth, making strategic life choices, and being financially responsible.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know almost immediately. I have a very strong sense of discernment and intuition, and I am so grateful for it because it keeps me constantly aware and emotionally healthy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @free.spirited.artistry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freespiritedartistry
