ART

Am I an artist?

The first time I referred to myself as an artist, I felt a pang of self-consciousness. Is it okay to call myself an artist? Could only other people decide if I was an artist? Was I being arrogant?

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I was surprised at my reaction, and told my daughter. She said, "Of course you're an artist! You've always been an artist." So there you are. I'm an artist because someone told me so.

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I believe that all humans are inherently creative. We all find a way to express ourselves in our interests and passions. Whether you play music, write, paint, sew or make stuff out of trash, you're an artist if it is an expression of your ideas, emotions or any other part of you.

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Creative expression helps keep me balanced. My bouts of depression are sometimes accompanied by new breakthroughs in my art. Although I focus on fibre art, I also paint, write and play with collage. Even gardening is part of my creative expression. I don't like weeding, but I sure love designing gardens.

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