Dream Chasers

I’ve been chasing a recent dream to be an artist for the past couple of years. This dream has taken me to wonderful places and has allowed me to develop some great relationships. Let’s backup. I wasn’t born an artist. I don’t remember ever being interested in fine art or drawing beautiful pictures for my parents when I was a kid. In fact, the few mandatory art lessons which I took in high school left me with no impressions of awe nor wonder. I’ve been trying to recall any important lessons or basic principles I might have picked up in those classes and I can’t remember a thing. I honestly can’t even remember the curriculum we covered in art lessons. All I remember from art lessons in high school is the teacher and how students ridiculed him.

In the past couple years I began to have a strong desire to create fine art with textiles. I’ve always liked making things with my hands but fine art is a totally different ball game all together. I didn’t have the skills, I didn’t have the background but I was passionate and determined. I proceeded to read everything I could find on creating art. I learned and learned and spent tons of hours practicing. There were many times I became disappointed and frustrated with the results of my practice pieces but I didn’t give up. I went back and practiced some more, read some more and encouraged myself that I could do it.

Today, I’m proud to be a professional artist. It hasn’t come easily. I still work long hours- learning, practicing and creating art. I spend a lot of time learning. By no means have I arrived. I just got started, but I’m on the path to where I want to eventually be.

I got news that my artwork ‘Shadows’ has won an award at the current exhibition in which it is showing. I was obviously elated but very very humbled and emotional too. Who am I to be selected from all these fine people across the entire states who applied to get into the exhibition, to receive this award. I mean people with formal art education, people who have been doing this maybe as long as I have been living. Who am I?

I just want to say if you have a dream in your heart, don’t go to your grave with it. Pursue it! The worse that can happen is you passionately chased a dream, all your life. That’s more passion than most experience in their entire lives. If this thing makes you animated, brings you joy and makes you fulfilled, then wait no more. As I like to say, the stars will all never align to create the perfect timing. The perfect time is now. You can do it! Go check this thing out for yourself. Procrastinate no more. Just do it.

I have taken a couple of steps in my journey of a thousand miles. What about you? Have you taken a step?

Thanks for reading. I’d like to hear your comments.