The Artist Within

People admiring my work often say, "I could never do that!" I
say, "Yes, you can!" Eight years ago, during a very difficult
time in my career in finance (Downsizings, layoffs – let's not
talk about it, OK?), my company sent me to a development workshop
for female executives.

I came out of a particularly thought-provoking discussion group and
penned the following very prophetic free verse.

Threads They Said

Mimi said, "Why don't you paint again?"
I said, "There's no time. I crunch numbers now."

Carole said, "You can do it!"
I said, "No. I don't think so."

Cheryl said, "You have an artist within. Reach down. Bring it out."
I said, "My numbers … they pay the bills.
Though, God knows, they don't feed the soul anymore!"

Martha said, "There's a strength within you."
I asked, "They why do I feel so weak, so beaten?"

Bob said, "Reach for the sky. Be your mother's daughter.
Write poetry. Perhaps the answer lies within."
I reached. I created. I wrote. I discovered.

The threads came together.
I design tee-shirts now.
On a glorious sunny beach.
I write my musings in between.
And share them with other artists
--- like me.

I didn't really dwell on these thoughts at the time since I ended
up early retirement and had no intention of going back to
work. "Threads They Said" got filed away with my other work
files. I only unearthed it recently and was stunned to realize how
it all has come true. Except we don't live on a glorious sunny
beach, we live on a mountainside overlooking a beautiful lake –
close enough for me! And now you are some of the other artists I
share my musings with!

I believe anyone with a creative eye can be an artist. If you know
what you like when you see it, you can be an artist. If you know
what someone else will like, you can be a commercial artist. You
only need to find your medium or craft.

1. Think about your abilities, not your dis-abilities; what you can
do, not what you can't. Maybe you're good with the computer.
Think graphic arts. Maybe you wield a mean needle. Think of
practical sewn items to which you can add artistic touches. Today
with the endless supply of craft materials and kits to get you
started, there's something for everyone – or I should say –
something for every artist.

2. Determine your bliss. I once read that if a woman thinks back to
what she most enjoyed when she was between 8 and 11, she can
identify her bliss. For men, it's between 10 and 14. They mature
later, you know – some women would say never. If, at that age,
you were always making "stuff" (doesn't matter what) and
loved having your own crayons (that no one else was allowed – under
penalty of death – to touch) and maybe your own set of colored
pencils, art and crafting could be your bliss. If you took
particular joy in actually producing something – an end product –
rather than just messing with all those neat (or should I say,
messy) paints, you almost certainly have an artist within.

3. Browse a local crafts superstore or Internet crafting sites
(please start by browsing around TheArtfulCrafter.com!).

Go up and down the aisles, whether virtual or real, and see what
appeals to you. Purchase a few kits. [Aside: If you intend to sell
what you make from the get-go, be sure to consider what will
also appeal to your future customers.]

4. Don't be afraid to try something new.

To me, a sub-definition of artist is "someone who is always
trying something new" – new techniques, new media.
You have little to lose – the cost of a kit or a few tubes of paint
– and very much to gain!

The end.

by Eileen Bergen
The Artful Crafter
http://www.theartfulcrafter.com
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And then, we have these essays in the GENERAL ESSAYS category
which don't seem to fit anywhere in particular:

That first day of school

Moonbeams are the original fuzzy kind of logic. If you've ever seen a tree turn into a gnome, or remember your first kiss upon the sweet silver grass, you won't want to miss this nostalgic essay of a way of life that maybe only seemed to be.

Friendship, by Ralph Waldo Emerson. A ruddy drop of manly blood The surging sea outweighs, The world uncertain comes and goes, The lover rooted stays. I fancied he was fled, And, after many a year, Glowed unexhausted kindliness Like daily sunrise there. My careful heart was free again, -- O friend, my bosom said, Through thee alone the sky is arched, Through thee the rose is red, All things through thee take nobler form, And look beyond the earth, And is the mill-round of our fate A sun-path in thy worth. Me too thy nobleness has taught To master my despair; The fountains of my hidden life Are through thy friendship fair.

A Break From Boredom -- by Lance Nalley

This Web is MY Web

The Moon on Six Pence Uncle Bob was an unforgettable character who traveled the world on bargain rates and golden smiles!

The Almost Good Housekeeping monograph is a good excuse for the harried homemaker to put off until tomorrow all those burdens of yesteryear, and quit trying so hard.

Sex before the Sax: The first thing I learned about Lois was she had a label for being froward. Kids at school said she had had sex with Alfred. Not long after I arrived, another boy came forward to admit he had made a score at her door.

God Does Not Fit -- by Lance Nalley

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The Artist Within

Can anyone be an artist?