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How to discover the Art you were born to create

August 11, 2014 By Karen Main 28 Comments

art

There was a time when I thought Art was something only exceptionally talented and gifted people could do.

That the ability to create was an extra-extra-ordinary gift that would ooze from the pores of those lucky enough to be born as ‘artists’.

Back then,  Art had so many rules and criteria that I in fact stifled my own creativity……Art sat in an unreachable space.

A space only occupied by accomplished people who had produced amazing images, paintings, jewellery, sculptures, dances………People who were known for their artwork and applauded for their remarkable and unique offering to the world.

My life without creativity was bland.  My strengths and talents lay dormant, and the world was denied the distinct flavour that only I had to offer.

It was not a fabulous way to live.

When my children arrived the urge to create bubbled up.

Alongside them I found myself exploring the world of song, dance and paint.

I became highly creative with food, hoping to encourage fussy toddlers to eat.  I began designing party invitations, making costumes and decorating lolly bags.

My inner artist was released to the world and she stepped forth with fabulousness, ease and truth.

I felt amazing and I wanted more.

I began to explore a deeper more expansive view of art.

I carefully observed and admired the unique skills and talents of my friends and family.   I began searching for the individuality in each and every person I met.

This is what I found…..

We each have a very special something, a distinctive gift and an offering unique to us.

Like the grandmother who knows the secret herb to bring out that unexpected flavour in her sauce.

The friend with the quirky little emoticons in all her text messages, the ones that always leave you smiling.

The photo taker who captures the emotion of a family singing Happy Birthday.

The gardener who carefully plants annuals by colour and trims hedges into shapes.

The Mum who sits up at night cutting out name tags to theme her child’s birthday party.

The woman who artfully styles her hair different each day.

There are opportunities to express our art when we decorate out home and the descriptive way we write cards, texts and emails.

The journals we keep, the photos we take, the parties we decorate.

The way we dance, the songs we sing and the food we present.

I eventually developed an appreciation for my own quirkiness.

I wholeheartedly embraced what makes me different and exploited my weird…….all in the pursuit of making great art.

My Art…….Authentic Art

I now know Art is everyone’s unique offering to the world.

Art is your colour, your vibrancy, your flavour and your voice.  It is an expression of what only you have.

Instead of stifling your urges, withholding your offerings and leaving the work of Art to the ‘artists’.

Embrace what makes you different + Explore your individuality + Express your art.

You will surprise and delight yourself and there is nothing more fabulous than that.

So tell me……how do you share your unique offering with the world?

Signature large photo Signaturelarge_zps82b3ad36.png

Filed Under: Create and Explore, Feeling Fabulous, Purpose and Meaning Tagged With: art, creative, Fabulous, happiness

Comments

  1. Gail Haile says

    August 11, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    So well said. I’ve often thought the very same thing. As a young person, I was secretly envious of my best friend who had been born with the gift. I had no notion of being trained and nurtured as an artist. I had it within me and it expressed itself for a long time as creative cooking, creating complex sewing projects, redecorating, creative outings and activities for my family. I often said that when I got “older” I would do something serious with the photography that I played with. At 45, I decided I was “old” enough and have been actively studying and practicing the art of photography ever since.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 13, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      Gail I took a look around your website and wow you have certainly discovered a magnificent way to express your art. Your photos are exquisite.

      Reply
  2. Vickie Martin says

    August 12, 2014 at 12:05 am

    these are wonderful observations. It took me awhile to call myself an artist – I too thought that description was to be used only by the favoured “few”. Boy – I was wrong. I now believe everybody is born creative – but it is something that must be nurtured – and when it is nurtured and loved – it grows. And – art is there in every aspect of our lives, you just have to look for it. Your list – the woman who styles her hair, the way we decorate our homes, the list goes on and on – it is all an expression of our creativity!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 13, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Thanks Vickie, it is easy to overlook the daily expressions of ourselves and our art.

      Reply
  3. Susan says

    August 12, 2014 at 2:12 am

    Love this. I’m a teacher and a professional artist. My goal with my students is to open them up to their own potential, to help them realize where their creative strengths are, that art is how they live their lives.

    Reply
  4. Kelly L McKenzie says

    August 12, 2014 at 3:16 am

    Laurie Balfour, bless her, could do art. She had a gift. I looked at her flamboyant 8 year old drawings and compared them to my woeful stickmen. She could do art. I could not. Fast forward to today and I am quite amazed at the things I’ve created since my two were born. Did I really hook that rug using my own design? Did I really whip up creative and unforgettable birthday parties? Do I really have over 15 Creative Memories scrapbook albums? Ha! Yep.
    Now you also got me remembering that time I baked a second cake at 02:00 because the first one … Ooooh I feel another blog post coming on …
    Thanks Aussie twin …

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 13, 2014 at 4:36 pm

      Now I did not know you were a scrapbooker as well. Your talents are endless.

      Reply
  5. Tamara says

    August 12, 2014 at 10:29 am

    I really feel so much of the same. I had a long dry spell where I thought I had NOTHING to offer the world. Nothing.
    Then I had kids. Suddenly the words came. First. Then the photos. And the stories I make up. The games. The kid arts and crafts.
    The food!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 13, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      Tamara thank you for your words, your photos and your stories. I lose myself there often.

      Reply
  6. kelly says

    August 12, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Karen this is so beautiful. so liberating. I totally get it!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 13, 2014 at 4:34 pm

      Thanks Kelly

      Reply
  7. Deborah Weber says

    August 12, 2014 at 11:01 am

    A big YES to claiming our creative natures and celebrating all the wonderful ways we find to express ourselves. Artists one and all! I for one love the colorful world we all create together. There’s so much magic inside all of us looking to find its way out. I’m so glad Karen you claimed your rightful title as artist.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm

      Deborah there are so many ways to be an artist and so much magic to be expressed, in fact once it is out it is difficult to pause long enough to cook a meal. agghhh the daily delights of art

      Reply
  8. Nancy Jambor says

    August 13, 2014 at 1:06 am

    Well said Karen. I share my unique gifts and talents with the world by being a Life Coach and teaching the Artist’s Way classes, workshops and retreats. I love to write so blogging has been an ideal way for me to share my writing with the world. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way believes that creativity is our true nature and I totally agree with her. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 13, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      Nancy I love this too, creativity is our true nature.

      Reply
  9. Harmony Harrison says

    August 16, 2014 at 10:51 am

    Yes, yes, and double-triple yes! I can’t say yes enough to this post! The human species is a creating species. We evolved to create and innovate. It is the very reason that we have survived and thrived. We *must* make things, or we lose ourselves and stagnate. Hurrah for everyone who has waded into the messy and luscious world of art! May all our makings be joyous and fun!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 18, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Harmony, ohhh how I love the messy and luscious world of art. A place to be free and authentic while having fun. I am there for the double-triple yes too.

      Reply
  10. Susan - ofeverymoment.com says

    August 17, 2014 at 1:13 am

    What a lovely reminder that we all have talents! I will be sharing this post 🙂 #saturdaysharefest

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 18, 2014 at 9:12 am

      Susan, thanks for enjoying and sharing……you have me grinning from ear to ear.

      Reply
  11. Lori says

    August 17, 2014 at 2:42 am

    Found you from SITS. What a great post! Expressing ourselves creatively is a wonderful outlet. If we just explore it, we might find we have more to offer than we think. Sometimes it has to be the right time in our life for it to come out.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 18, 2014 at 9:10 am

      Lori, oh yes the power of creativity as an outlet and a release and I agree something to be explored.

      Reply
  12. Paula Kiger says

    August 17, 2014 at 11:13 am

    Lovely, true thoughts! Thx for sharing them!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 18, 2014 at 9:09 am

      Paula, thanks for reading and enjoying my thoughts, it truly delights me.

      Reply
  13. Akaleistar says

    August 18, 2014 at 3:35 am

    This is so inspiring! It is so easy to feel like there’s nothing to contribute, but really, there are so many ways to be creative in life 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 18, 2014 at 9:08 am

      Yes, yes, yes…..Creativity is our unique way to contribute in so many ways.

      Reply
  14. Michelle says

    August 23, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    I love to crochet afghans and give them away to our church nursery and our elderly.
    I call them prayer shawls. Much prayer goes into them.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      August 24, 2014 at 5:05 pm

      Michelle what a wonderful offering to the world.

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Karen Main is a Life Leadership Coach for people who are ready to make a change in their lives.
Through her coaching, workshops and speaking gigs she’s here to help you design a life you love — while making it all feel like a celebration.
And when she’s not working, you can find her indulging in a long walk with the dog, laughing with her kids or at her favourite yoga class Read More…

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