Thursday, January 10, 2013

In Which I Discover That I Am Artistic...

Something amazing happened over the Christmas break. While having tea with my best friend, she reached into her bag and pulled out some fingerless gloves she had recently made.  This simple action sparked something, causing me to say "I can do that!" Something I couldn't stop had been put in motion, as I joined Ravelry, found a pattern, found my hooks and yarn and started to crochet. I couldn't rest until I started.

 Up until recently, if you would ask me about myself, I would say that I'm not artistic. I make things taste great, but I don't do pretty.  I love art, but everything I try turns out abstract.  Textile art fascinates me, but it just doesn't work out for me.  Unless it's food, I'm just not creative or artistic. I like to write, but I'm not sure I have anything worthwhile or interesting to say. That creative gene missed me.

 Growing up, I was surrounded by art. My grandparents were amateur artists, so our walls were covered with their art. (When my grandmother passed away this summer, everyone who had art by her posted photos on facebook. We created a virtual gallery in memory of her on my mother's wall). Both my mother and my grandmother loved textile art. My mother crochets and embroiders(our Christmas stockings were sequined masterpieces) while my grandmother quilted as well.  They latch-hooked, crocheted, quilted, embroidered, cross-stitched and braided rugs. They were writers as well.  My great-grandmother had a nanny for her children because she worked as a reporter. (This was during the early 1900s). But me, well, I don't do that. I'm a reader, not a writer, a wearer of art not a creator.  I'm just not gifted that way.

 But I am.  Over the Christmas break, I made fingerless gloves, a cowl and a hat. I discovered that I can create, I just lacked the confidence.  And it was like breaking out of  a cage that I didn't know I was in. Suddenly I am free, when I didn't realize that I had been imprisoned.

I'm so proud of my hat. I even made flowers that have button centers. It's just so cute! 

 Shortly after this new revelation, I attended a conference.  The last speaker mentioned that we are made in God's image. He is the Creator, therefore we are creative.  This truth blew my mind, especially as I had just begun walking in it. I'm revelling in my newfound creativity, wondering what I will be creating next. I'm excited as I walk into this new adventure.


Linking up with the creative, inspiring group at Imperfect Prose:

9 comments:

  1. Love the hat Gracie and it is so nice to read your lovely words once again! I have never been able to figure out how to crochet but I've been itching to get knitting again...

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  2. Excellent - what a blessing to get creative.

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  3. Love this and your hat is awesome. What an encouragement to step out of your comfort zone, take a risk and receive revelation. And btw, I do think you are a writer. This was written very well. Stopping by from Imperfect Prose.

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  4. Hi!

    Nice to meet you. I'm hopping over here from the Imperfect Prose link up. Thanks for letting me peek into your writings here. Good job on your hat! :)

    Tell me more about this conference you were at. It sounds nice.

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  5. So lovely to hear your voice in this space again, and to see your lovely face! I miss you, my friend. Kudos on breaking through the "not-creative" definition :)

    There's an awesome crochet slipper pattern on Pinterest that I've been eying, just waiting for someone with the skill to do it. Are you taking commissions??? :)

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  6. The hat is beautiful! I love how you not only dived (dove?) in to the project with such gusto, but how it felt like a process of growing into your identity and your family heritage. And seriously, LOVE, the hat.

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  7. Congratulations, Grace! It's great to see you back in your blog and to see your lovely creation. It's beautiful - as is the face underneath it.

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  8. oh grace it's a GORGEOUS hat... i LOVE that God burst forth from you in the form of crochet. creating is so freeing. bless you girl.

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  9. You did an awesome job. love it. i can only crochet the most basic blankets and scarves.

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