When I was in art school, I lived at my parent's house. My mom and I were sitting at our kitchen table, and I asked her how long I've been making art. Every time someone had asked me, I hadn't had an answer other than, "Well, I think I always have made art. I don't really remember a time when I haven't been."
My mom, on the other hand, could recall exactly when I had created my first artwork- something more than just scribbles- and brought out what I had shown her and entitled at the age of 2, "Bluebird", shown below.
viewing Landscape Overlooking the Woods by Édouard Vuillard in oil on canvas at the Chicago Institue of Arts
ART SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING HIDDEN WITHIN MY VERY SOUL
Bluebird
Watercolor, 2003
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Awestruck, I had a moment of clarity when I saw this painting that my little toddler hands and mind had created. I realized that I knew that creating art is something that is intrinsically within me. I will not outrun it, grow bored of it, or cease to need to create. I will only grow, change, and add to the themes & variations I've seen in my work throughout my life. In that moment, I had never known such thorough creative freedom, excitement & drive to continue on as I have been from the beginning.