Before art was part of my daily life, I took for granted the beauty of God’s creation. During my morning dog walks I kept my gaze inward, not actively seeing my environment. I thought about my ‘things to do’ list and walked briskly so I could throw myself back unto the daily ‘hamster wheel’ grind that I was living. I was also a massive consumer of materialistic goods (mainly items related to fashion such as clothes, shoes, and handbags).
Now I notice the nuances of each season. As I saunter down the road with my beloved dog, I take photos of flowers and collect trinkets from nature to bring back into my studio. I notice inspiration all around me and stop to observe things that I had overlooked in the past. My slower pace made my dog walks longer; though I do not worry about how this cuts into my chores. I breathe the fresh air, reflect on what’s truly important in life, and become lost in the present moment.
As an artist, I am no longer just a consumer in this world but a creator. Gone are the empty hours of online browsing and shopping; now I spend much of my free time painting with my hands, listening to music, and pushing the limits of my capabilities. I am using my God given talent to its full potential and adding beauty to the earth that will last beyond my existence.
If you feel even the slightest twinge to be creative, I encourage you to act upon it. Don’t worry about being a bad artist. Your skill will grow exponentially with practice, and there are so many videos and classes on the internet at your disposal. You will gain so much more through the mere act of creating, regardless of the perceived outcome. Get lost in the process, see inspiration everywhere, and discover the childlike joy of just living in God’s world. Oh, and be prepared to experience a transformation.