Thank you Kerry Clare for asking me to show others what I love!
As a consummate Generalist and someone who fiercely loves too many things - I'd never been good at narrowing down or selecting just one thing to love/focus on (More on that in another post).
Interestingly enough - I didn't need to dig too deep this time for the answer to present itself.
This is largely due to a realization I've had over the past year during lockdown. Quite simply - I realized and remembered just how much I *truly loved making gifts and art for my loved ones and friends.
During our time at home together, Art came back to me. A silver lining of the world standing still - it became a constant and the kids and I started painting, drawing and creating almost daily together!
If you ask my mother, she would say that my love of making and gifting started at the tender age of Five! Exhibit A - (below) is a finger painting I did around that very age to announce the arrival of my baby brother. Mom turned it into his Birth Announcement and one might say that it was also the birth of something inside of me... and the beginning of my creative path.
Although this was my first official 'card'- everyone assures me that I was born busy; constantly busy and creating from the time I could wrap my hand around a crayon. I loved art for as long as I can remember - and spent an entire childhood in art lessons.
I truly loved watching the expression on peoples faces when they received it.
I think my love of making cards and custom art really hatched when I started my first job at the local Hallmark Gift Shop. I couldn't wait to get to work each day - I loved helping people find *just the right card and gift for a loved one or friend. I had memorized every card on the shelf and sentiment inside...I definitely had an innate ability to absorb everyone's needs and feelings- to translate what they were hoping to convey and find the words (and art) to fill the space they were hoping to fill.
For this alone I am thankful to the Pandemic...it has been during these long and upside down days at home that I have found this passion again (and started creating art for friends/family)
Its no doubt relaxing and cathartic to draw (I recommend it to anyone) especially sitting to create with your kids. But sitting with intention to create something for someone really brings a certain joy to my life.
what a great post.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've been writing letters most of my life, with only a few sabaticals here and there, during the pandemic my letter writing has increased significantly. The 'new' thing is my doodling. I've been doodling on the envelopes before sending them out. Some of the recipients have noticed and commented -- others are silent. I wonder what they think?