The Artist

Say yes if during an art class at school, be it primary or secondary when you’ve completed a piece of art assignment, feeling very pleased with your masterpiece, handed it in with pride; only to receive a ‘D’ with the accompanied remark of ‘could do better’ or worse still, no remark at all.

Every time that happened, my interest in art waned and my confidence that I was able to produce anything of much worth at least in the eyes of the educators dwindled. In addition to boring ‘lessons’ if I could call them that, the world of art that I was introduced to was hollow and uninspiring. To say the least, I never attempted the subject again after secondary two.

One of my closest friends was an art teacher. She took the subject at ‘A’ Levels. I remember peering over her shoulder when she was doing portraits after school hours outside the art rooms. When she was going through her teacher training, I listened to her tales from her classes: sculpture, pottery and painting. I envied her talent for translating what she saw and felt into a beautiful visual that could be appreciated by all. I was enthused but refused to listen to the tiny voice inside of me that urged me to try.

Then, two years ago, I borrowed this book from the library. It was in celebration of bountiful women and there on the cover was a painting of a reclining big woman and to me she was gorgeous. The thought that "Hey that would be so me!" popped in my head. I was determined to capture it on paper with my own hands. It was draw or die.

So one afternoon, I pinched my niece’s drawing paper and started sketching, by instinct. The only technical thing that I paid attention to was proportion. I used watercolour pencils and a wet brush for colour and voila, my first painting as an adult was created. Of course, I did this in semi-seclusion. I was afraid of being found out. And I only had the courage to frame it and put it up in my room last year.

(Bountiful) Personal Comment: Mediocre and proud of it!

Last year, I had made the decision to develop my creative spirit as one of my life goals. I believe that everyone is born creative. It is a God given gift. Somewhere along the road to adulthood, some of us snuff it out or lost faith in its importance.

So this year, I am taking baby steps.

I want to live loud.

I want to make stuff.

I want to be an artist.

"Say yes if you’re an artist
Say yes if you’ve known it
from the beginning of time"
RUMI