When my daughter was younger, our local homeschool group decided to put together an art show so that our kiddos would have an opportunity to gain some experience with displaying their work in public and to... “gasp” socialize with each other. At the time, I was working at a small print shop where I became acquainted with a local area artist, Brent Blake. I invited Mr. Blake to come to the art show and see what the kids had done. He happily agreed.
On the day of the show, the kids set up their carefully selected pieces and had the opportunity to see what their peers had been working on. Blake showed up, as promised, and I greeted him as he wandered around the space taking in the kids' work. He met me with a wide smile and told me he was happy to be there and was enjoying seeing the art. As we strolled together, he said something that has stayed with me all these years.
He said something to the effect that we are all born artists, kids just haven't forgotten that yet. They haven't taken in the messages of what art is “supposed” to be, and they trust their innate creativity. If only we could remember that as adults.
Mr. Blake passed on some years ago, but that afternoon will always stay with me. It was not just the reminder that we are all born creative, but his willingness to show up and take the time to enjoy those kids' artwork the way he enjoyed the art he featured at the little gallery he ran.
So, this is my gentle reminder to you: You were born creative. Sometimes that creativity seems out of reach or to have been dissected altogether, but, I assure you, friend, it is still there.
Throughout the month of June, The Care and Feeding of Creativity will explore ways to reengage with that innate, creative part of you. I hope you will join me.
Cheers!
Machelle with an A
If you'd like to know a little more about Brent Blake and his thoughts on art, check out this video:
If you’d like more of The Care and Feeding of Creativity, please subscribe:
If you know of someone else who may enjoy this newsletter, please share:
“Life” has a way of distracting us from what nurtures us.