Friday, October 19, 2012

Muscle Cars, Confidence and Creativity

Reach
encaustic 13x24
For some reason the animals show up in my intuitive paintings.  Here is another one - and to think I have never been to Africa.  Maybe they just need a voice.

My Grandma drove a muscle car.  It was a '69 Mercury Cougar - green with black interior that would burn your legs on a hot day.  It had a push button AM radio.  She wore big rings that rattled on the steering wheel as she rumbled through town.  She was fiercely independent and well before her time.  She had red hair, wore high waisted bell bottoms and read Prevention magazine way before the health food craze.  She ground up egg shells for calcium, she could recite poetry from memory, she wore a beret.  She always looked her best, dressed smart, and wouldn't be caught dead without lipstick.  She was one amazing lady.

She was also very creative.  In the early 70's, she self published a book by using a paper cutter, a xerox machine and a stapler.  It was a huge research undertaking of the Indian Place Names and their meanings for the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington.  My Dad did the cover artwork for her and sold the book in his gallery for $1 a copy.  It sold out, many times over.

She taught me to knit, tat and crochet.  She sewed her own clothes and she crocheted beautiful afghans which she donated.  She did almost all of her home handiwork.

But, if you asked her, she would never have called herself creative and never thought of herself as an artist.  Why is someone who is so full of creative fire so afraid of saying I am creative?  Why so often do creative people lack confidence in their talent, their art?  Its a good question i think.  One that is deeply personal to each of us.

I think that often the creative spirit in us gets wounded deeply along the journey.  There is an incident or a person that tripped things up along the way.  Somewhere, somehow the creative spirit got wounded and shrunk away deep into the soul where it is afraid to come out for fear of being wounded again.  Sometimes, all it takes is one negative comment to shut down the creative spirit.  Its easier to hide than to face fear.

Yet, I believe that the creative inside really can't hide.  It just isn't capable of hiding.  Take the case of my Grandma.  It must find an outlet of some kind even if we don't care or want to acknowledge it as creativity.  "A rose by any other name, is still a rose".
Its time to come out and recognize the things we do on a daily basis, as simple as they seem, are creative and are a creative outlet.   So no more hiding out - call yourself creative.  Recognize your art in all the things you do.  Call yourself an artist, because you are.

45 comments:

  1. Fantastic, strong, vibrant creation ~ Absolutely wonderful tribute to your grandmother ~ She sounds like someone I would enjoy ~ like her grand daughter ~ (A Creative Harbor)

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  2. Such a beautiful painting. Wow! I loved hearing about your grandmother, too. Sometimes people equate artistic with creative, which I don't think is always true. Your grandmother sounds like she was truly creative -- what a wonderful influence to have had in your life!!

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  3. Your nostalgic ruminations about your Grandma led me to so many happy memories of my own, thank you. I love, love your painting. For some reason I've been very drawn to blue animals lately and this one spoke to me immediately. Happy PPF! Thanks for the great post.

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  4. Yay! I love this post and am right behind you.

    Your Grandma sounds like one amazing lady too, I'm so glad you shared your stories of her here. I have this wonderful image of her driving with her hair flowing in the wind!

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  5. Wonderful post about your Grandma. You really gave a wonderful description of her and it would sure make a wonderful painting. Her in her muscle car with her beret, big rings and red hair. Would love to see this depicted in a painting. You can do it!! Thank you for these wonderful inspirational words and ground up egg shells for calcium? Wow! That is very interesting. Thanks. Happy PPF!

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  6. your grandmother sounds like a wonderful woman. so lovely that you had her in your life.

    how fun that animals appear in your art! wonderful piece.

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  7. Interesting post as much as the painting itself!

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  8. wow your grandmother is a terrific inspiration. Your picture is totally wonderful to look at. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  9. Well said and what a beautiful encaustic painting. Happy PPF!

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  10. This is really an awesome painting! Who knows where inspiration might come from but you did a great job at expressing it. Happy PPF!

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  11. Your comment section says it all: XXX# of kind words. Yes, the creative spirit can be wounded by unkind words. It can also be wounded by zero words. When I show something I have proudly created to someone and get no response, I feel small, insignificant, and unartistic.

    Your work is absolutely gorgeous. Love your intuitive works.

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  12. I'm not sure that there was ever a better way to start a post than with "My grandma drove a muscle car!"
    AND your artwork, as always, is simply stunning! I'm such a fan, xoxo

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  13. Your grandma sounds very inspiring. :) And your painting is wonderful! I love the color choices.

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  14. Your Grandma sounds very lovely. Yes we're all creative in our own ways. We need to expand and let out, make, produce, play and have plenty of fun! I love your colorful art and touching words on your grandma.

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  15. your grandmother sounds like a lovely person and artist! You definitely take after her and your dad as your art is so creative, beautiful and a joy to see!

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  16. How wonderful that you have her as a role model - I had wonderful strong Grandmothers too, and am so grateful for them. I think your theory about people's creative spirit getting wounded is very wise. I also think some people grow up in environments where creativity is not valued and encouraged in the first place and so they never nurture it in themselves. Hopefully they'll run across wonderful posts like this!

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  17. She sounds wonderful! What a great description of a great woman. Love your art too!

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  18. Gorgeous, gorgeous painting.
    Your grandmother sounds like an amazing person. Your writing about her creativity inspires me!
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  19. beautiful encaustic, your grandma sounds like she was quite the woman, an inpiration! I do stuggle with the words 'creative'.

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  20. Your Grandma sounds like my maternal Gran, she keep on redecorating her kitchen, she painted flowers and fruit on the cupboards etc. Yes you are so right many of us have a struggle with the word artist, inspirational post.

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  21. Wowness..such a powerful and beautiful painting..stunning colors and magical impact! Love it! and wow..I so enjoyed your post..what a fascinating and delightful read on your amazing grandmother..such a beautiful soul..talented and spirited..sounds like my Nanna too! Love your descriptions.. the beret..big rings and lipstick being a must!Such a wonderful story!
    Beautiful writing..deeply meaningful and inspiring for all artists and creatives.Thanks for sharing your creative magic!
    HUgs
    Victoria

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  22. First of all, I love your elephant and your style in general...I just had to go back and look at the rabbits again. Second, your grandma sounds like she was amazing and the way you descirbe her is beyond words. I should be so lucky to have grandchildren...and for them to remember me the way you are remembering yours. Finally, your words about creativity speak to me...I struggle with this all the time. In fact, I started blogging to force myself to come out of the closet with my creativity. Thanks so much for this lovely post. I loved reading every word of it.

    P.S. I am an artist. :)
    P.P.S. I am following you now...can't wait to see your next creature.

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  23. Your Grandmother sounds like an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing her with us!

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  24. Your story about your Grandmother almost made me forget about your wonderful painting. Both are riveting. That is so true tho.. most of us dont think of ourselves as Artists. but it is what we are. Great blog post. HPPF

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  25. great inspiring post and I am enjoying watching the direction that your work is heading in... it is changing all the time...xx

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  26. Beautiful piece, love the rich textures and colors! So strong and vibrant!

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  27. I guess the word "artist" is intimidating, to many, it means that you have to know all about art or have a particular defined style or work.... but you are right. An artist is a creative person that enjoys that part of life, where you need to create and experiment, learn and work with your mind; make your imaginations into something tangible.
    Your grandmother sounds like an amazing lady :o)

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  28. I loved reading about your grandma.... she sounds like such an interesting and special person.

    Your paintings are amazing especially as the animals 'come to you' and you don't set out to draw them from a photo or anything. I love the texture and colours.

    I would never come out and say I am an Artist (yet) but I am happy to say I am Creative. I enjoyed your post!

    Karenx

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  29. Very vibrant colors! I love the textures too :)

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  30. Fantastic post!!! And beautiful artwork, I love elephants in any setting. How lucky for you to have such special (and unique) Grandma . I don't think that the apple fell too far from the tree. Happy PPF and thanks for your kind remarks on my site.

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  31. Love the textures and the colors are to die for!! Great post and great tribute to your Grandma. Sounds like a very strong colorful Woman.. Sometimes I know I'm an artist and sometimes I hide under my work table. Make sense?

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  32. Again another amazing piece! Pretty sure elephants are very spiritual. I'd look up the symbolism for all the animals that show up!!Might be a valid message amongst all that beauty!!

    Oh and that post is spot on!! I could visualize your grandmother perfectly, high waisted bell bottoms, red hair, beret and all!! She sounds like me...big rings, loud bows, fun cars, always creating something with no idea there was an artist within.

    Artists seem to be a modest group never truly valuing their ability. It's so interesting. Many musicians are the same! I have friends who do not devote enough time to their creativity, but it trickles out in many other ways begging to be explored!! If only there was a movement to endorse the value in living up to our true potential with the unique gifts we possess. Excellent post, thanks for sharing this special story!

    Hugs Giggles

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  33. Wonderful piece!once again your post has left me quite speechless.I really do enjoy reading them...your grandmother sounds like an amazing and fun person!

    Duaa

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  34. Love your painting and fab post!
    Yes, I really am one of those gals that continually messes up but in the end I discover a new road and very happy for it…i.e .my Dirt painting that has taken a new transformation ~^..^~ I call myself an Artist but really not that comfortable with it, i suppose painting for me at this point if a bit of a challenge and I'm still learning so perfection or should I say more control in the medium is beyond me at the moment and takes a lot of work for me to accomplish the deed ~^..^~ so amateur Artist is a better fit at this time.

    Where's the little fella your talking about with green eyes…curious?

    Annabelle

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  35. Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful lady. Love your intuitive animal paintings!

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  36. Your Grandma sounds like an awesome lady - what an inspiring example of living life the way you want to! Great post, and a gorgeous painting x

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  37. I love your elephant painting - such dynamic composition and rich colours and textures. I want to run my fingers across the surface - very tactile. As for your grandmother - what an example she was to you! And I am so glad she had red hair too - i hope she dyed it (henna, of course) to make it even redder:)

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  38. Your elephant is magical! Love all the colors in it! What a grandmother!

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  39. wow amazing painting! At first I saw a dinosaur and then the elephant, gorgeous! I really enjoyed reading about your grandmother and thoughts on creativity. A lovely post.

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  40. OH man, I missed out on so much in my absence, but enjoyed catching up! Your hares are fantastic, but this one stole my heart of course! As child we would go to a camp in the Kruger National Park where the restaurant has a view on a river... and often some elephants would be foraging in the river bed! I could stay there for hours watching them... they are amazing creatures. Your painting reminds me so much of that scene that now lives in my memories...stunning!

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  41. What a gorgeous painting with many wxciting colors, YOU sure are creative! and as your grandma! what a wonderfull story you tell about her! =)

    I also like your heading a lot! =)

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  43. Your words have painted a beautiful portrait of your grandmother. She sounds remarkable, and clearly she was very creative. Her failure to recognize herself as an artist may be partly generational. In her day, an "artist" was someone who painted, sculpted, etc., full time, usually while living an unconventional, perhaps Bohemian lifestyle (e.g., Picasso). I used to do many of the things you describe her doing, but never considered that I was "expressing my creativity" because that wasn't something I even thought about. It was just part of what I did as a mother and homemaker, no big deal.

    That said, I agree with you that many people do lack confidence in their creative, especially artistic, ability. It's taken a long time for me to recognize my inner artist and let her come out of the closet, stand up and say hello. I love your elephant! It makes me think of the illustrations in my copy of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories, the one my father read to me when I was a child. The colors and textures are wonderful.

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