Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. – Picasso
I have had an interest in art as far back as I can remember into my little wee years. I think this may be true for though for any kid when he is young. We are artists by nature and think that as we grow older, we grow out of this artistic nature.
One of the funny things that I am always asked is if I come from an artistic family. This seems to be the only explanation for my artsy nature I suppose.
The fact is that NO ONE in my immediate family has any artistic passion. NONE.
So, what led me to want to be an artist? (Artist is such a broad term)
My First Artistic Inspiration
It was 3rd grade (3B Miss Webb), my first year of not being with my fellow Spanish speaking people. 🙂 Apparently, I was in ESL and had no idea.
His name, my artistic inspiration, was Terrell Hamilton. He was the baddest artist I had ever met. DAMN! I so wanted to be as good as him.
I would beg my dad to take me to the library and check out 10 books on “How to draw ____”
I was so jealous but was determined to improve. He would draw some bad ass ninjas and super heroes. I remember staying up late and creating characters and then take them to school to show him.
He was such a humble guy too. We bonded that year and also had another artist… Michael Lopez. We were the artists in the class. Unfortunately, I never saw Terrell after that year. But his inspiration still is apparent in my day-to-day life.
And the Rest is History
My artistic bug/passion has given me some amazing experiences. I have tried so many things to do it while also making some money with it. (I’m a hustla! 😉
I recall drawing cars for my little buddies in 4th and 5th grade for 50 cents a pop.
I did watercolor, charcoal, colored pencil… and so many others. I still have a dream to one day hold a gallery showing of some of my fine art.
My biggest success was learning how to airbrush. This actually became pretty profitable and wanted to launch it into a real full time business. At one point I even had 6 airbrushes and a couple of nice sized orders. But it was way too messy for our apartment.
Then I started transitioning into digital field (and kept me from inhaling paint and cleaners while airbrushing).
Someone introduced me to photoshop and I fell in love again for the first time. I spent the next few years teaching myself photoshop since I didn’t have the money to go to the View (community college) and now had a family of two (and another baby in the oven) as well as working about 50 hours a week on the night shift.
At the time I felt like a total failure for not being able to make a living doing my art in some capacity. I became decent at photoshop but still didn’t know how to make money with it at that time.
And Now I am Considered an Artist
As many of you know, I now have two lovely midgets I adore. I can’t help but giggle inside every time I hear their classmates tell me that they love my daughter’s art.
I imagine people ask them if someone in their family is an artist. 😉
And although I am, I have come to truly believe that I didn’t necessarily teach them to BE artists, but simply encourage what they innately have in them.
I give them the supplies, time, and a little motivation.
My parents didn’t necessarily encourage me to be an artist…. but they NEVER discouraged me either. I thank them for this.
In my journey in this life, I have learned many things. And when given the opportunity I shout it to the masses…
NEVER LOSE YOUR CREATIVITY!
All of us may not be able to draw. At one time I was determined to be a comic book artist. Apparently, I couldn’t cultivate that skill, so I moved on. Some of the best artist I know cannot draw stick figures (or so they say)
WHO CARES ?!?!? Yet they create.
I define creativity as the ability to think and process in very unique ways and on multiple mental planes depending on the circumstances presented.
“To think outside the box” as people like to say in management training classes. 🙂
Creativity is one of the most valuable skills that anyone in any industry or job can have. Keeping your mind open and consistently looking for solutions to problems that may not be apparent to most people.
I have found that my creativity has saved my butt many times when I was in grocery management.
Trust me, I don’t think I am very smart (despite what perception you may have of me) but I know that I do have a great ability to make sense of chaos and find solutions that many others can’t see.
I do possess a gift of being a creative problem solver. I would go as far as to say it’s an Art.
One day I hope to come across Terrell and thank him for his inspiration. One day.
