A few weeks ago, my nephew Brandon and I were messaging back and forth on Facebook and he called me an artist. I told him at the time, that I was at “just experimenting” and found myself very uncomfortable at the thought of wearing the label of “artist”. He told me that I was more than just experimenting and that I was very creative. I spent some time after messaging Brandon pondering my reluctance to wear the label of artist.
Part of my reluctance comes from the fact that my mother was a very good artist. She could draw fabulous pictures and paint. She also was very good with needlework and made wonderfully decorated cakes. Somehow, in my mind, the writing, photography, crocheting, beadmaking, and cross-stitching I do weren’t “artistic” in the same way that my mother was artistic, therefore I wasn’t an artist.
All of this was whirling in my mind and it took me awhile to realize that yes, I am an artist — photography and writing are just a part of how I do art. And right now, I’m very experimental in terms of techniques I use. Most are new to me and I’m not sure what I am going to keep and what I’m not going to use in the future. So this month is going to be spent sprouting my art and exploring techniques. Because you know, this art stuff is kind of fun and I want to see where it will take take me.
Wearing the label artist still isn’t comfortable for me, but these thoughts made me realize how much we have a tendencies to discount our talents and abilities because they’re not like someone else’s abilities. It’s also made me realize that it’s okay to experiment. My experimentation is what allows me to grow as a person.
So if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to grab my watercolor pencils and my pinhole camera, it’s time for me to go art as R would tell me. BTW, I let Brandon know that artist is a label I am now willing to wear.
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