In the beginning, I didn’t acknowledge I was a creative person or even an artist. I started to crochet when I was 17 and pregnant as a way to occupy my time. Over the years, I was obsessed with craft shows and crafting in general. I made paper boxes, I painted, I made jewelry, I cross-stiched, and just about anything under the sun. And then I discovered wood-burning.
I was working on a macrame choker and wanted to design my own wood beads as one does, and went and bought a wood burner from the local craft store and some wood of course to you know, practice. As I started to obsess with this new thing and hyperfocus, I made a discovery.
I had a hidden talent.
Can I draw? Probably give time and practice but my brain doesn’t coordinate “seeing shapes” as 90% of the instructors tell you to use. I tried. I have a shelf full of books to “teach” me how to draw. I’ve watched videos upon videos and practiced drawing, nope. But then I think it has more to do to try and fit myself into a style that isn’t meant for me.
And yet, wood-burning, that’s a thing.
When I first started I worked off patterns that I purchased from other pyrography artists. Over the years, I took pictures and would turn them into their own patterns, and then low-and-behold I can do basic outlines – which the lineart is all I need – and perhaps some reference photos to create a pyrographic art piece.
I love wood-burning, I still love to crochet, make my own coloring pages, and yes I still occasionally paint. These help me from the monotonous that can settle in and frustrate me because everything is the same. I don’t always do well with that.
I keep saying I’ve been practicing wood-burning for 25 years. I took some pause here and there due to my son’s medical situation but no matter how long I may have stepped away from it, I keep coming back to wood burning. And I know I keep saying drawing isn’t a thing but it’s just not necessarily realistic in style.
As a natural non-conformist, I have always struggled with “focusing on one thing” and while I still do so many other things, I realized that wood-burning really is my “one thing” and that all other facets simply help me take a break when a break is needed to avoid burn out.
Am I a creative person?
Absolutely.
Here’s the thing, aside from the artistic way of expressing my creativity, it’s also about being able to problem-solve. My mind looks at situations from a hexagonal view to get a glimpse of all sides, which has allowed me to overcome some big challenges in my life.
But more than that, being a creative person has allowed me to distract myself from difficult moments, like when my son was in the hospital fighting for his life.
Being a creative person isn’t just about art in its many forms, it’s how you face challenges and how you allow your ideas to be important and move them into reality.
I still doubt myself and face resistance when I have a new idea or project in mind. Hallelujah, I’m human.
Now as my art is one of the ways I bring in money, I am in awe because years ago someone told me I lived with my head in the clouds and I needed to come back to earth and into reality.
The only one that is stopping you, well is you.
If you want to venture with me on a creative journey, come join me here!