This month, we wanted to shine the spotlight on some of the brilliant women working for The Social Element, taking a look at what side-hustles and passion projects members of our team are involved in.
Today, Libby Rule, Social Content Creator tells us all about her passion for painting.
Libby Rule / @libbyrulepaints
Libby has always been an artist.
“My dad is a painter and graphic designer, and I picked it up after him. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing or sketching. But it’s never been so much about expression for me, it’s been about capturing and representing something that already exists. Like a little challenge to draw a picture as accurately as I could.
I was an animation student in college, but I still painted for fun. When COVID hit I started painting even more. Then, when I saw Live Painting on TikTok all the pieces fell into place and I started that particular leg of my artistic journey.”
Libby’s inspired by the joy her art evokes. She uses her skill in live painting to capture people’s special moments – such as a bride being walked down the aisle.
“I have people come up to me and say “you’re creating an heirloom.” And it just never escapes me that it is such a blessing to be able to be here and capture the love between two people who are committing their lives to each other. That’s crazy!”
Although Libby made her hobby into another job, it made her realise how important it is to have a hobby you’re passionate about.
“It’s important to keep your hobbies. Something that you don’t have to monetize, and can just dive into and enjoy and get a little lost in. One day I’ll have the time to draw and paint for fun again and I will savor it! There’s something beautiful in making a little thing and not having to show it or share it— you just made it because you wanted to!”