Since a young age, I’ve always loved making art, especially drawing.  However, I’ve also struggled with letting go and allowing creativity to take over, because it is so hard for me to turn off my brain and my thinking; I believe that I’m as creative as I am logical.  As a result, moments spent making art turn into long drawing sessions involving multiple drafts and constant self-criticism.  Overthinking can really cripple artistic freedom!

For a majority of my life up to this point, I’ve been in school: K-12, followed by five wonderful years in college.  My brain was filled with education then later with advice, some unwelcome, on what career path to pursue.  Ideas of what “made the most sense” took over most of my time and my thoughts, and I pushed my art away to the side, ignoring it for years.

Finally, during my five years of college, I re-discovered my talents and was praised for them.  I was taking fashion classes when my professors complimented my drawing abilities and my overall creativity.  That whole experience was very emotional and so relieving because I had ignored my talents for so long, never thinking that they would be appreciated, or even useful.

So, when I am not working on this blog, taking baby steps towards designing my own fashion line (a huge, scary dream), then I am probably painting or drawing.  I do it for the therapeutic effect, allowing my stress and tension to exit through my fingertips.  I also work on my art for the practice and the learning experiences.  And most importantly, I do it because it makes me happy and makes me feel very proud and accomplished.  Even more rewarding though, is making art for close friends who believe in me and my talent (and want a piece of my work in their apartment).

So, I am not writing this to brag, but I hope that it can be used as encouragement to anyone who has “useless” talents or skills.  Coming back to art was almost an awakening for me and I can’t wait to continue it, whether it turns into a full-time job or just an escape.

p.s.  Be on the lookout for new pieces (I’ll post to my Instagram) and an Etsy shop that will be opening soon.  In the meantime, I am either coming up with my own work, or doing commissioned work.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like some art!

xx,

catiemaxie