(originally posted January 25, 2009)
Has there ever been a word that people have called you and you don't know how to embrace it?
A beautiful word?
A word that has so much meaning to you?
I come from a family of painters, dancers, musicians…..ARTISTS.
Everyday I get beautiful emails from customers and blog readers that refer to me as an ARTIST.
Really?
I have thought about this a lot lately. This word that to me means so much.
I grew up with an amazingly talented grandmother. She was a composer, singer, art collector, women's rights advocate, radio host, movie star….she was an ARTIST.
Her house was filled with sculptures, paintings, sketches, needle point, books…and music was always playing.
Her tables were set with lovely vintage china and crystal.
I loved going there.
I have long ago embraced the simple things I borrowed from her.
How I set a table.
Flowers scattered across the house.
Music playing.
Going to the theater.
Collecting art that inspires me….but this new word had me stumped…ARTIST.
I talked with a dear friend the other day about this. She almost giggled at me and told me that I AM an artist. She pointed out that an artist is a person that creates.
I create.
Do you?
Corey Amaro wrote a beautiful article in Somerset Life Watering The Soul of the Artist.
It was exactly what I was thinking about and needing.
She wrote, "Being an artist is about the desire to create, the desire to see beauty, the desire to feel the color and live through one's senses."
I can embrace this meaning.
This defines everything that I love.
This is about looking at my children and being in awe of them.
About a peaceful morning before everyone wakes up and doing my devotions….loving the silence and closeness to my God.
This is about blessing my friends with good food.
This is about life and embracing it and seeing the beauty everywhere.
Yes, I create.
Yes, I see beauty.
Yes, I live through my senses.
Yes, I am an artist.
It might not be the way you are.
It might not ever hang in a museum.
I create and it is a part of who I am.
You can find this amazing photography HERE.
Yeah, that’s a heavy word – Artist. It suggests so much… so much more than most of us will ever give ourselves credit for being. It implies a proficiency, a skill, a certain lifestyle. I would love to be called an ‘artist’. Sigh.
Beautiful post! I think we all struggle with similar things. If you love to create, no matter what it is, then I think you are an artist!
I saw your beautiful “art” this weekend at The Barn – Chic Junque! I want it all!!! You are a talented girl!
Perhaps then, by this definition, I can call myself an artist, too:)
When I hear the word artist I always think of a person who paints pictures or writes music. The truth is to be an artist I think you have to feel passionate about what ever is is you do. Art no matter what kind soothes the soul and rekindles the spirit. I think there is an artist in all of us. Some just have not embraced it yet
I struggle with this too. It seems like a proud word, unattainable. I paint, but my paintings are so childlike…I feel like anyone could do them. I feel like a real artist is so talented, so skilled that it defines who they are…where I feel like a fraud calling myself this.
Obviously you struck a chord with me. It’s a confidence issue I think. So heck let’s get over it and be the ARTISTS God called us to be:)
Words ARE powerful. You must appreciate them because you’re not just an artist, you’re a writer 🙂
It’s so amazing to get insight on yourself from other’s isn’t it? YOU my friend ARE definitely an ARTIST! (sorry I’ve been MIA)
Fantastic…this encompasses so many things I’ve been wrestling lately…this creative journey I’m on. I am finally brave enough to call myself an artist.
Always enjoy reading your thoughtful words.
Lara
This post made me think a lot!
I studied art in college, but for me it wasnt a very positive experience because of unsupportive tutors, so when I finished my course, I came out thinking ” Me, an artist…no!”. It made me want to stop painting altogether:-(
Years later, and I’m back to creating with my family supporting me all the way and its something in my life that makes me so happy, but I still can’t call myself an artist…I don’t think i have the confidence, but hopefully that will change soon… 🙂
Wow! Well said. I’m glad to have stumbled on your blog. I love to create, homeschool my kids and love the Lord too. 🙂
one of my most fave entries ever!
xo
Thank you Jeanne and Corey! Do you know that when I was growing up…I never considered myself to be an artist because my middle older brother and my grandma were the “artists” in the family. I didn’t realize that it was okay for me to consider myself an artist until the 9th grade….when I started sketching evening gowns during math class. It’s true. My teacher was none to happy with me…but that class (time) changed my life! I realized that I had been attempting to create beauty all along…whether it be setting the perfect display on top of my dresser (when I could barely reach the top)…twisting and turning my grandma’s pretty hankies into gowns for my Barbies…or arranging the perfect stone path outside one of the concrete play things during recess. Yes, thank you Jeanne for your words…and thank you, Lord, for giving us (all of you great bloggin’ gals!) the ability and the time to be creative!
: )
Julie M.
You are an artist…. I am an artist. What beauty lies in these words you share. I find peace here. Thanks for inspiring me today!!!
Why is it so hard to call ourselves artists? Does it create a feeling of unreachable loftiness, of obligations to be prolific in a way we can’t measure up to, a sense of being an imposter? I don’t know what it is that makes it hard for each person, I only know that many creative women I know who are artists are artists who can’t bring themselves to claim the title. Do creative men have this problem?
yes jeanne, you ARE an artist. i love this post. welcome home.
yes i do create. often. but i do not in anyway consider myself an artist.
You silly girl. You are very much an artist! Why do you think your friends are so inspired by you and your ideas?!!? :o) I hope you had a fun time in Cape Cod! So jealous…
I am so happy I have come to terms with that word for myself. Yes, it is someone who creates. Once I finally let myself get over the fear of the word, I felt so liberated!
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! So fun to meet more artistic bloggers!
What a great little space you have here, filled with beauty!
Your post is beautiful…and YES you are an artist…what you make, makes you and many other people happy. Like you said, it may never hang in a museum, but someone {actually many someones} has chosen to buy a piece you created and place it where only cherished things go…their home.
What a beautiful thoughtful post. You are an artist in every sense of the word. And I would have loved to have hung out with you grandma, she sounds super cool. 🙂
Your an incredible artist. Just read what was written in this post. Poetic. Lovely.
that was beautiful Laurel….just beautiful
Hello Jeanne – you are definitely an artist. Just soak it in and allow yourself to bask in the beauty you create!
Blessings,
Marie