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?
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.
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.
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!
Thanks Vickie, it is easy to overlook the daily expressions of ourselves and our art.
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.
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 …
Now I did not know you were a scrapbooker as well. Your talents are endless.
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!
Tamara thank you for your words, your photos and your stories. I lose myself there often.
Karen this is so beautiful. so liberating. I totally get it!
Thanks Kelly
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.
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
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!
Nancy I love this too, creativity is our true nature.
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!
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.
What a lovely reminder that we all have talents! I will be sharing this post 🙂 #saturdaysharefest
Susan, thanks for enjoying and sharing……you have me grinning from ear to ear.
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.
Lori, oh yes the power of creativity as an outlet and a release and I agree something to be explored.
Lovely, true thoughts! Thx for sharing them!
Paula, thanks for reading and enjoying my thoughts, it truly delights me.
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 🙂
Yes, yes, yes…..Creativity is our unique way to contribute in so many ways.
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.
Michelle what a wonderful offering to the world.