Artist
In my adult life, my main "creative" outlet has been fiber arts. I've been an avid knitter and crocheter for a lot of years. I've received several benefits from this craft.
I'm drawn to the beautiful colors and soft textures of the yarn.
I like the practicality and usefulness of the skill. I couldn't begin to tell you how many hats, scarves, afghans, gloves, and baby stuff I have made and gifted over the years.
Most importantly has been the benefit of relieving stress and anxiety. The rhythmic, repetitive motion of making stitches is very calming.
I've had a major life change in the last two years. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s, my husband, Ross, passed away.
We lived about an hour away (hence the title of my blog) from family.
After Ross passed, I quickly and impulsively decided to move to be nearer to them.
Once the busyness of the funeral, selling our house, and moving was done, my life quieted down.
Although Ross and I previously lived in this area, I had to get myself familiar with my surroundings all over again. This is this first time I have lived alone.
As grief settled itself in, I became lost in a hazy fog. I no longer had any interest in knitting and crochet. I used to record a podcast about knitting and crochet. I attempted to continue with that, but it just wasn't the same without my co-host, Ross.
I spent many hours on the sofa binge watching seasons and seasons of old British detective series.
About nine months ago, as I was doom-scrolling on my phone, I stumbled upon a learn-to-draw video. I took a couple of online courses and found that it ignited a creative spark.
The drawing led me to watercolor painting.
The topic of today is "Artist". As per the definition, I do create drawings and paintings.
I am trying to learn this artistic skill by watching online tutorials given by watercolor artists.
They assure me, well, not me personally, but in general, that if you are making marks with paints, pencils, or any other kind of medium on paper or canvas or maybe even rocks, you are making art. Therefore, "you", they say "are an artist."
Personally, I don't quite feel like a "real"artist. Perhaps someday.
For right now I call myself an enthusiastic watercolor hobbyist.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteLynda!!! Blogger has been very naughty and it was sheer fluke that I checked back down my reading list... the post not delivered in timely fashion, I nearly missed you.
So glad to see you posting for the A-Z, and I like the revamp on the blog. I have been enjoying your little paintings via Instagram - you can most definitely call yourself an artist! Looking forward to seeing what else you bring us this month. YAM xx
Hello YAM, thank you. I do believe that I may be revamped my blog a little too much :) I think the app I was using to notify followers of new posts is outdated.
DeleteSo I am using a different email sign up now which you may have to sign up for.
Lynda, I remember asking that same question when I first started writing poetry. A very pretty watercolor you've shared.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteNah, I'd say you *are* an artist. Every artist starts somewhere. I'm glad to hear you found something that gives you a spark. Just last week I was in an art class, and one of the periods was doing various things with watercolor. One of them involved salt. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement. Yes, adding salt creates an interesting effect.
DeleteYour watercolour is beautiful. Warm greetings from a retired lady living in Montreal, Canada ❤️ 😊 🇨🇦
ReplyDeleteHello Linda. Thank you :)
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