The EXACT Moment I Knew I Was an Artist

I remember the moment that I ‘discovered’ art. I remember the spark that hit me, that told me YOU ARE AN ARTIST, YOU CAN MAKE ANYTHING & THE WORLD IS OPEN TO INTERPRETATION.

It was in first or second grade. We were learning how to cut & fold paper 'properly'. Anti-climactic? Not really, because the sensation was as epic as I remember, I promise. I was like, WHOA, I GOT THE POWAH. So, yea, even though I was tiny, & it was a simple exercise I remember that moment to this day. I remember the kid next to me was like, you're way too into this. And I was like, WATCH ME FLY.

I remember the class room. I was on the left side of the hallway, a long rectangle from left to right, we were sitting on tallish tables. I was in the back left corner. I remember the teacher, her face, her vibe, but I can’t remember her name. Im sure I could look it up. But here comes the good part!

Back in MA before I went through the difficult (for me) transition that was moving to Denver, CO, I was working at an organic café, and she came in. The teacher came in. I was like - TUNNEL FLASHBACK TO MY FIRST GRADE MOMENT OF ‘IM AN ARTIST, WATCH THE F* OUT WORLD.’ I HAD to tell her! I had to tell her I had this moment in her class. So I did. And it was such a beautiful moment, for her, for me, for artists and creatives everywhere. Because it’s human connection that makes our world worthwhile. It’s nature and our innate need to create that makes it, ALIVE and VIBRANT. She was touched, and I was sure to make what ever she ordered that day especially imbued with gratitude.

The next time she came in, she had something for me. 

Just a little something, a button pin that says, “The Earth without Art, is just eh.” AND IT’S SO TRUE.  This saying touches my heart in a special way, & I am so grateful for all art teachers, everywhere. I remember ALL of my art teachers through the years. They are so so special to me.... They're all so unique, and have their own specialities. Some are masters at calligraphy, pen & ink, print making, drawing, sculpture, painting, street art & very nicely breaking the law, historians & photographers - & more. You're all incredible.  ❤️  THANK YOU. 

The trick through life is to not let this spark fade, to feed it, stoke it and make it blazing fire. To let the flames fly high into the night, letting the sparks dance and try to become stars. Watching yourself spin and float and become mesmerized by your work - getting into the zone. Being on the edge of your seat to see what you yourself will do. Letting the ink seep into the fibers of the page, the paint slide along the canvas, the film roll as a story is built and told. To stitch things together, to allow our purest self, truest self come through in our creations. Don’t let the world squish you. Don’t let it put you in a box. Don’t let them tell you you’re not radiant and perfect, just the way you are. Because they’re liars. We all create in different ways. We wear what we make, we admire it, we slave over it, but most of all we share it. That’s what makes our world a bit more than just ‘Eh.’

P.s. If you don't feel creative, THATS OK. You don't have to be making things Day in and day out, you don't have to be any particular way. Just be you what ever that means. We're all just trying not to fit into a box not made for us. And if you fit in a box and you love it, that's awesome!

So Much Love & Radiance,

- Erin

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