A STATEMENT FROM THE ARTIST

I’ve always been making art in some form or another. As a child my mother and her friends were always creating.  They painted or drew or created works of art out of everyday materials. 

We were encouraged to be creative in our outlook on life. I never had the time, to focus solely on making art.  I would paint a watercolor for a special occasion, but never had the determination to keep at it. 

 

It took others seeing my work, something I called dabbling or experimenting. Close family does not count, they must admire your work, that is their plight. It is the outsider who often helps you see yourself as an artist. 

 

I was preparing a Facebook page to sell my art, and I was faced with what do I call myself?  It felt awkward and unnatural.

But I do not yet call myself an artist. I “dabble” and “doodle”. It’s a form of stress relief, something I turn to in times of uncertainty when things aren’t going the way I planned them to. It’s an outlet for boredom. I must have a way to get rid of the excess art that I’m creating. I have pawned off my art on most of my family and friends.

 

But now, I begin trying the artist identity on. I practice in my head: “I’m an artist.”. Finally, I call myself an artist. It takes a while to feel natural. The imposter syndrome loves creative people, thanks to the gap between what we know to be “good art” and what we produce.

 

I’m an artist.  I have always been an artist, but it took a while to convince the toughest audience - myself. I love creating watercolor art, art in the garden, art in the kitchen, and my new love - encaustic art.