“That’s not really art, it’s more craft, really.”

“I don’t think I can make this without screwing it up.”

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“Nobody will want to see this painting, anyways. There are so many better ones out there already.”

Does any of this strike a chord with you? Maybe these words are bouncing around in your head right now? Well, they also were in my head. I said these things to myself. Let me tell you about it.

I’ve spent a lot of time in my life “working on” being creative. I’m a pro pattern maker and fitting expert, I sew like it’s my job (and it is!), do illustrations and watercolour paintings, teach elementary art to our co-op, am always making something… creative living is not new to me. But I’ve also spent a lot of time telling myself how terrible I am at it. How much I’ve failed, and how much talent I lack. Maybe something that I made was technically lacking (I am a truly terrible quilter) or difficult (it took me 15 years to figure out crochet - no joke) and I had convinced myself that I was not really an artist. Not good enough. Not worth calling myself an Artist.

But then I was in the thick of a gut-wrenchingly difficult season in my life, and I needed art. NEEDED art. My soul craved creativity. There were so many Big Feelings in me that desperately needed an outlet that I just left the rules behind and got to it. Painted scripture verses and taped them to the walls and cupboards and mirrors. Made ugly t-shirts and wore them in public. Started projects that were beyond my skill level and ended up throwing them out. Learned some new skills and delighted in the process. Because you know what?

The difference between Fine Art and Just Craft makes absolutely no difference at all when the crooked and wonky stitches in your sewing project are also stitching up the pieces of your heart.

When the incorrectly rendered watercolour landscape paints joy into your spirit. And even when you ace a new technique and the final product is perfect, the real healing comes in the process. And it’s not just in the creativity that you produce! It’s also in the music that you listen to that makes you cry, walking in your friend’s garden, and the dinner someone makes that nourishes your bones. Creative expression in so many forms - words, art, nature, baking, hiking, hot glue guns, journaling, music, sandcastles, gardening, planning - it all takes us back to where we came from (a creative Creator!), helps us to keep on, and offers healing, hope and sanctuary.

Learning to get messy with my art (see, I said it! I’m an Artist!) and embracing the process more than perfection has taught me to live more open-heartedly. I’ve learned to face creative hurdles head-on, and even to ask for help!

So if you’re looking for encouragement to tape to your walls, some technical advice on those sewing skills, and a friend to walk with you as you try your own creativity on for size, you’re in the right place. I’m right here with you, in the paint-splattered, ink-smeared, thread-covered mess of it. Making my way along, too.