Just do it!

I've started blogs before and, after a while, stop posting because I run out of things to say or time to put them into words.  But, here goes another one!  An art blog.  Strange coming from me.  I always see blogs about artists who say 'I've had a paintbrush in my hand since I was 5' or 'As a kid, I cut up all my moms clothes to sew a new fashionable outfit.'

Well, that's not my story. 

I was a quiet kid, didn't really get noticed for anything.  I was good in school but never the best at anything.  And I was told over and over that I just didn't have a creative streak.  I had a more logical mind and should focus on academics and becoming a teacher or something like that.  I think that the more you tell someone something, the more likely they are to believe it. 

After a while, I believed that any idea that I had that was 'outside the box' was stupid and I would NEVER tell anyone the thoughts that crossed my mind.  I might write them down but would never let anyone read them for fear of being made fun of.  I have always had stories whirling in my head and may have made it as an author but never tried because I was told to focus on practical academic pursuits. 

I joined the military after high school because I was bored with academics - no creativity allowed in the ranks of the military! Strict adherence to policies and rules, even ones that don't make sense. 

I started scrapbooking, like everyone else, in the mid 90's.  I think that was the start of my artistic exploration.  It was a way to document the memories that my growing family was creating and also taking a break from the never-ending duties of a young mom.  At first my pages were simple and usually copied from idea books.  But I received more and more praise when I branched out and did things my way.  Now I have so many different types of art that I create and different mediums that I reach for, I always have several projects in the works. 

I have a reputation now of being creative and artistic.  People wonder how ideas come so easily to me and how I can create for days on end without running out of ideas.  I say that I am proof that everyone can create.  After being convinced as a child that my ideas should be stifled and that I had no imagination, I see now that wasn't true.  If only I hadn't wasted so many years. 

So don't listen to the naysayers.  Design. Create. Share.  Don't worry about others will say. Just CREATE!

And, most of all, don't listen to the voice in the back of your head that says you aren't good enough.  You are more than good enough.  You are amazing!