During a recent trip to Oregon, I visited an artist friend who has two children. Her youngest is a girl about 6 years old. And all around my friends house were pieces of art made by her daughter. When I first met this tiny artist I said to her: “Your mom has been showing me some of your art and it’s really incredible.” And she looked me straight in the eye, not missing a beat and simply said “ I know.”
Which completely floored me in the best kind of way. There was no hesitation when she spoke those words. No apologies. No embarrassment or deflection.
She didn’t say “ Oh, those things? They’re really not very good.”
Or “How sweet of you to say that! You’re just being SO nice!”
Or “ They’re OK. But you should see my friend Susie’s work. Now she’s a REAL artist!”
She was simply present and deeply confident in herself as a creator. She knew her value and her worth as an artist. She didn’t need to prove that to anyone. She didn’t even need to prove it to herself.
And her response made my heart leap with joy. This is what a healed and whole artist looks and sounds like. This is what it means to be relaxed and at home in your own creative skin. This is how I want everyone who walks out of my studio to feel. And my wish for every creative person on the planet. Which of course is EVERYONE!
I have 2 beautiful nieces, ages 10 & 13. I loved watching them play and grow. They were both freely creative. The older one was allowed to color on the walls (great paint) until she extended it to the large screen TV. I admired their open and free expression and how much they enjoyed it. I have never felt that free (second child of 5). I deal with all the issues already expressed in reply’s only at a more basic level. I am ready to burst forth from the constraints I interpreted as needed.
I am excited/thrilled/scared to have found your site. Reading I can do. Putting it into practice is another. But by reading I think I have found a source to aid me in my journey.
MANY THANKS, Karen