Creative Musings

When I was much younger and still caught up in the drama of my circumstances, whatever they were, I struggled with what it meant to live the creative life and wondered if I was a creative person. I longed to be an “artist” and now know that we are all creative beings and it is only our insecurities that keep us from living up to our full potential. There is a voice in almost everyone of us that tries to make us doubt ourselves and our abilities. I used to listen to that voice and believe what he said to the point that I would give up before I even started. Now I’m learning to ignore him (yes, I think of the voice as a ‘him’) and I’m learning to not be so worried about whether or not my art is considered good or not. If the process makes me happy then it has served its purpose.

I am lucky to have people that encourage and cheer me on in my creative explorations, my friends, my kids and my wonderful husband. But I know that it really wasn’t luck that those people are there, it was a choice made by me to have positive influences instead of negative. People that also have the bug to lead a creative life.

My husband’s creativity is all about building things. Things like telescopes, fiber tools for me, computers, airplanes, cars, motorcycles, helicopters, and even our sun room at the old house. He has a mind that sees something in 3 dimensions and knows what it takes to make it a reality. As my friend says, “it’s good to have a handy husband.” And because he’s creative he understands my creative impulses.

These days I am compelled to do something creative every day. It usually involves pen & ink but it could mean a myriad of other things too. Occasionally I get the bug to bake. Or I’m consumed by a knitting project. Or I’m weaving yards of something that I just have to get through. Or taking a photograph to capture an instance of time. I also make soap, quilt, dye and spin my own yarn.

Lately I’m having the urge to make large bold movements/statements on canvas but I am still too timid and have yet to really push through all of my insecurities and take the risk. I need to work larger and not care about what my inner critic says. Besides, my inner critic is not looking out for my best interests. He wants me to not try, to give up before I start, to fail. To that end I will turn my back on him and push forward.

What about you? What do you need to push through to realize your creative potential? I want to offer you the encouragement to do what your heart is telling you, to listen to the better you inside that has your best interests in mind. If it makes you happy then it’s the right thing to do.

My bit of art for today is my doodle for the Sketchbook Challenge January theme.