I am Not an Artist!

Seven years ago while studying for my M.Ed. at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) I was mandated to participate in an art for teachers course. The purpose of the course was two-fold. One was to teach us how to teach art to students in various contexts. We were encouraged to find ways to incorporate art in every subject area, encourage imagination and expression while simultaneously fostering confidence and joy. Secondly, the instructors (highly acclaimed artists themselves) desired for us adults to discover our artistic abilities, release our inner-creative and produce meaningful work. Each class we were required to repeat the mantra, “I am an artist”. I felt like a liar each and every time I went to class.

I am not an artist. It is okay, I’ve come to terms with it. No pity parties over here! I am creative, I am passionate and I enjoy expressing myself. Just not with the visual arts. For a majority of my youth I was a performance artist (figure skating and dance) and now as an adult I enjoy writing. I am not a painter, sculptor or sketcher. Once again, still totally fine! God has blessed me with many, many talents and passions. Art is not one of them. Frankly, even attempting to create anything close to what could be called art is frustrating.

Enter, the Vision Board.

SleepyBaby — Early morning writing session with the middle-o..

For the past few years, many friends, co-workers, associates and relatives have expressed excitement over creating an annual vision board. They go to vision board parties, create boards with their children, and display their beautiful creations in their home offices or bedrooms. The concept behind a vision board (typically a collage of things, feelings, and events you wish to manifest and speak into your life) is amazing! I know that there is power in prayer and also in setting intentions, envisioning the gifts that await you and setting achievable goals on the road to living life abundantly. I’ve always felt left out from this vision board experience. I am not an artist. Not that you have to be one to create a vision board. Certainly not! All you really need are some magazines, a poster board, stickers, scissors, paint, glue, patience and excitement about the finished product. See, problem here is I am lacking in the last two areas. So, year after year, I failed to have my visions presented on a formal vision board.

Until this year! On a recent scroll down my Instagram feed, I came across an ahhhhhmazing idea for a vision board. No glue, no cutting, no magazines, no stickers, NO ART! Simply, words. Words good people! I’ve got those! I’ve got a million and one words! I am an artist after all! Glory be! I saw the idea and said to myself, I can write some words in some pretty colored markers and buy a fancy frame from JoAnn and tack it on the wall in my (in progress) home office. And that’s just what I did! It’s not perfect (in fact, after I wrote the word Confidence upside down I realized once again, clearly, I am not an artist) but it’s perfectly imperfect…just like little ol’ me! It captures all of the ‘everythings’ I pray will manifest in my life in 2016. It may be four months late, it may be flawed, it may not be art, but it is what it is and I couldn’t be happier with it!