Navy spouse Andria Williams' novel and stories create communities of freedom and support, and life imitates art in the supportive communities she's built into the Military Spouse Book Review and The Wrath-Bearing Tree. Williams also shares a sneak peek at her latest novel manuscript while being open about some of the sacrifices made when drafting.

Experiences and new environments shape our views, inwardly and outwardly. Air Force spouse Alexa Bonney uses art to open up dialogs about her evolving viewpoints. In the MilspoFAN July 2019 interview, Alexa discusses how changed perceptions, culture, history, and symbolism inspire her paintings.

For musician / Coast Guard spouse Lauren Leiter, making music runs in her family. Creating songs with others is a way she stays connected and keeps communication flowing even with multiple military moves. Learn more about Lauren and 'Lighter Ray,' her duo with her sister.

Frequent PCSing often leaves military spouses no option other than putting careers on hold for the short-term or even long-term. Mil spouse photographer Meredith Ryncarz has developed a way to keep her business going from move to move, with strategies that help her establish new clients/bookings before she has reached the new duty station. With so many mil spouses going through the same career frustrations, Meredith shares these strategies to help other mil spouse creative business owners.

Ever wonder how to make your art serve your community? In our April Artist Interview, photographer and visual artist Stephannie Maskowski shares how the difficulty of transitioning her art business between postings lead her art in a new direction, serving the military community through art therapy.

Coming into militaryspousedom in my 30s, I find a kindred spirit in Megan Mioduski's story. It's difficult to discover that PCSing and military life often doesn't support a spouse's career, and entering into a community in which you feel like the odd-one-out just compounds an already disruptive situation. As an actress, Megan had to discover creative ways to make sure she could practice her craft and help others achieve their acting goals as well. And as someone who doesn't quite fit in with the generalized definition of a military spouse, Megan learned that embracing her identity and quirks makes her all the more creative and stronger.

Ashley Patricelli is a painter whose work reflects an openness to experimentation and letting the subconscious emerge. Her work evokes emotion with rich texture and imagery interplaying with layers of color and dimension. Ashley describes a relationship with her art-making that is authentic, curious, and playful. After reading her words and seeing her work, I'm feeling so inspired that I just might dig out my acrylics (from the PCS box I just packed) and have some playtime of my own!

Army spouse Christy Tremblay’s mixed-media art is the perfect metaphor for a multi-textured, multi-layered military life. As mil-spouses, we often don’t know where life is taking us next as we evolve with each new place and experience, and all of those unexpected places and experiences become layers that shape us into the people we never knew we could be. There is beauty in all that layering and evolution, in the unforeseen and in adaptation. Christy Tremblay’s unexpected journeys leads us to magical gardens and dream-like landscapes; they are places that celebrate.

This December as the winter weather descends, what better way to spend an evening than wrapped up in a blanket and a tale of romance? Elizabeth Ann West is an author and former military spouse who writes charming Jane Austin fan fiction and variations. Elizabeth talks with us about how her work and life as a military child and military spouse helped prepare her for life after Dependent status. She candidly shares how her work gave her a sense of stability, strength, and identity during her recent divorce.

In this month's Artist Interview, we take a spin in the ballet slippers of dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher Kathryn Lanier. Kathryn shares her passion for dance,  the role of dance in her world as a military spouse, and the story of one very special Nutcracker Ballet performance that reminds us why this ballet is so cherished.

Leigh Cortez is an art student-turned-artillery-soldier-turned-milspouse-and-tattoo-artist-turned-MFA-student-turned-artist. Her bold and compelling work is layered with autobiographical meaning. With her paintings, Leigh invites a dialogue both within the military community and with "outsiders" exploring modern military life, tradition, trauma, unpredictability, and belonging. Leigh's thoughtful descriptions of her work and process, as well as her candid story about the path she has taken, reveal her self-possessed, passionate, and deliberate character.

This month, MilspoFAN is proud to introduce you to Adelia Wilson. Adelia is a painter and a third-generation Air Force spouse. As Adelia tells her story, I find myself drawn in by her palpable enthusiasm for life. Her dreamy artwork, rooted in her spirituality and a desire to honor the military that she cherishes, is equally compelling. As Adelia says, she has found both an outlet and a calling in her painting. I'm so pleased to share her story with our MilspoFAN community

My Dear MilspoFANs, It's July and I have the perfect interview for you if you have Summer Fun on the mind (or need a break from PCS season)! This month I'm so pleased to share an interview with Tammy Bruce, a talented painter who is sharing her love of making art with people all over the world. Not only does Tammy teach art during relaxed and inclusive mobile painting parties, her company, Mai Tais and Monet, employs several military spouses.

This month, we have the good fortune to get to know Katelyn Spinosa- Actress, Singer, and Model. Katelyn is a spirited, talented artist whose dedication to her craft is reflected in her success wherever her spouse’s career in the Army takes them. Be sure to take a moment to check out the musical performances linked to in the interview to hear Katelyn’s enchanting voice.

Elizabeth is a joy and an inspiration to hang out with. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor are glowing and infectious. Beyond that, she is a talented multi-media artist and designer (and a kick-ass web developer!). I am so happy to have met and befriended her, and have been looking forward to sharing her interview with the MilspoFAN community.

My dear MilspoFANs, our Artist Interview this month is with Jehanne Dubrow, an award-winning poet, an academic, and a Navy spouse.

I’ve admired Joy Naik from before I even met her. I saw her performance, A Time to Dance (ATTD), when I had a brand new baby and had just moved to Virginia Beach. I didn’t know a soul in town, let alone another dancer who also happened to be a military spouse. After the performance, I took a deep breath and introduced myself. To my delight, I found that Joy is to be admired not only for her talent and craftsmanship as a dancer, dance teacher, and choreographer, but also for her sparkling enthusiasm, kindness, optimism, and drive.

If you're living anywhere near Madison, WI, you're lucky enough to have the talented Carly Kimberley of Carly Nicole Photography close enough to take your photo. Carly's work captures her subjects in a style that is simultaneously genuine and striking. Her photos speak for themselves, but let's learn a bit more about the woman behind the lens. In her own words, here's Carly

My Dear MilspoFANs-I think it’s safe to say that if Allison LaValley sets her mind to something, she’s going to get it done- and have some fun along the way. Flexibility, creativity, and adventure have shaped her journey as an artist and military spouse. Like all of us who live the military family life, Allison finds unexpected ways to blossom.