I am forever thankful to have been raised by parents who have always encouraged the growth of my brother’s and my creativity. Didn’t matter the media or tools we used. They offered us anything they were capable of giving us to support our abilities to be creative. From singing in choir to learning martial arts, painting, gardening, and even making chain mail. Their support and belief in us has always been unconditional.
Creating Freely
My parents’ support of us is not based on the fact that someone in our family has become famous from being artistic. There is no claim that it’s simply “in our blood” to become “successful” artists. There is no extra privilege our family has been given by society through art. And, there is no pressure on us to use our abilities to become “the best” at anything either. My parents have simply encouraged us to openly express ourselves, because they know how important the act of creating is to the body, mind, and soul.
A Family of Gifts
Mom loves to craft and decorate. She’s been enlisted to make and arrange decorations for multiple formal parties, classrooms, and gatherings with beautiful results every time. She’s also a mother to everyone, and has that special ability to make everyone around her feel loved and cared-for.
Dad loves to build, tinker, garden, sew, cook, and bake. He’s a true handyman with his own artistic style of beauty in simplicity. He was also quite good on a harmonica in his younger days. Sadly though, he hasn’t played since before I can remember.
My brother is a very talented drawer and painter. He also has hobbies in sewing, photography, playing bass guitar, sword fighting, gardening, stick-and-poke tattoos, and more. Plus, he is an encyclopedia of knowledge on many subjects, especially world history. There have been multiple times when I’ve asked Cristophe an obscure history question, and he’s answered me with, “That’s a brother question.”
My Own Art
As for me, I draw, write, paint, craft, apply henna designs, sew, decorate, cook, and organize/arrange. Yes, that is an art form when done well. I also enjoy photography, modeling, singing, and share in Mom’s affinity for encouraging growth in all other living beings. Though, enjoying those activities does take some significant battling with my social anxiety at times. Even with such supportive parents, I have still struggled with self-esteem issues. Societal impacts on the psyche are strong. But, my journey towards balanced health over the past few years has given me more strength to openly share my creative skills.
Creative Family Growth
Of course, I would find a life partner with just as much creative artistic affinity as myself and my family. Unfortunately, Cristophe had a significantly different past than I did. This stifled his creativity for most of his life. In the years we have been together though, I have felt privileged to witness the reemergence of his many gifted abilities. He has always had the blessing of being able to retain vast amounts of knowledge. And, he has always had a strong will to learn making him adept at survival skills. But now, he has been able to rediscover his love for creating things simply for the joy and shared experience of it.
Cris’ talents as an educator, drawer, crafter, cook, painter, writer, photographer, builder, healer, grower, etc. are being exhumed. And, I’ve even been able to enjoy his singing on occasion. Though, we do share our aversion to doing so in unfamiliar company.
Creative Progress
Creativity is an ability all of us share, and an intricate part of who we are. Finding yourself involves finding your creative gifts. You don’t need the lust for fame and fortune to motivate you to create. And, everyone deserves the ability to safely share their talents with the world in a just and non-harmful way. I am aware of the restrictions current society unfairly puts on most people. Some are stuck just trying to survive. Most of us aren’t but one misfortune away from falling into that same category. But, all of us who are capable, can devote any amount of energy we can towards change. We can work to bring about a time when everyone can safely be their true selves and progress the world together.
