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Healing Art

A friend of mine asked me a thought provoking and interesting question the other day. "When did you know you were an artist?" It is a hard question but after much thought and a very long email attempting to answer this question....I'm inspired to share this (prose?)with you.


I AM an Artist by Lesley Chandler
When I was very young
I won a coloring contest
Got a pen!
But I did not call my self "an artist" then.
When I was in 2nd grade
I got in trouble for scribbling outside the lines
Boring ole coloring sheets
Lazy Teacher Look Closer!
Still not an "artist" in my mind.
Wrote a poem book
for my Grandma
Decorated with roses and vines
Took much time.
Wrote more poems
Sang songs
When I was older
I sang in a band
2 whole weeks
Hit me with your best shot

When I got married
Time moved on
I crafted
I decorated my home
I helped with school projects
Went to nursing school
got a degree
Work Work Work
Could not find me
kids grew up
didn't need me so much
Bored Again
Art stepped in.

I painted over
wounds in my heart
I collaged in my dreams
I gessoed in some interest
I textured in lots of new friends
I stamped my way into
finding Me again
I said to myself "Self....
You are an Artist"
A Kiss for you Donna!

When did you know you were an artist? I would love to see y our response to this question on your blog!

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Comments

Pocket Full of Prettys said…
Oh girl, I love your answer, it is soooo you. And you are a ARTIST!!! Keep on creating, love your work, always inspires me. Love ya, Renea
6:19 PM
Nonnafairy said…
Lesley, not only are you an 'artiste,' you're a poet, and don't know it! I knew I was an artist when a friend took me to a party for "show & tell" as the real deal. If you can't read Julia Cameron's book, "The Artist's Way" without tears in your eyes, then you know for sure you ARE an artist. Cheers for the Funky Art Queen!
9:09 PM
Carolyn said…
Girl you rock! Ha! I was crackin' up when I read "hit me with your best shot!" we would have TOTALLY hung out together!
OK, now I'm going to answer your question on my blog....
9:05 PM
nicci said…
I had it confirmed to me once again just last week.

A local Brownie troop of 14 young ladies came over to create in my Art Studio to earn their 'Artists at Work" badges.

They slowly entered my art studio with the look of complete awe across their faces and started asking me how famous I was (as the previous week they has watched my HGTV video on you tube & somewhat believe that if you are on tv, you are famous. ha ha).
After I answered some questions and showed them some old and some new creations of mine they then began painting their canvases. They had a blast (& so did I).
I personally think we are all Artists, however each person creates in their own unique way. Be it with numbers, scaffolding, food, pen or paint.
Keep up the great work!
Nicci
http://brushedwithmagic.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_4253-759316.jpg
12:09 AM
Kim Mailhot said…
From one queen to another, and from one artist to another, you are one talented lady ! I love this poem and can relate to it so much !Even the 80's references !
I wrote a response on my brand new blog. Hope you will check it out !
8:53 AM
Anonymous said…
I certainly will love to answer this question.
The last part of your poem made me teary because it is so close to my heart...
So that's it!!! my answer your words in your poem!
Love and hugs to you!
I am reading all of your posts and I am very interested about the etsy success, too.
1:06 PM
Anonymous said…
I certainly will love to answer this question.
The last part of your poem made me teary because it is so close to my heart...
So that's it!!! my answer your words in your poem!
Love and hugs to you!
I am reading all of your posts and I am very interested about the etsy success, too.
1:06 PM
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