Falling in love is quite an art, isn't it? And I have fallen in love with art the way people should fall in love with each other.
Unexpectedly.
Let's go back in time if you don't mind.
As far as I remember, I've never been the girl who spent her time drawing. In fact, I didn't draw or paint at all. Never. Music was my first love in terms of art. Dance too.
I am almost certain that if I were to meet the me from 10, 20 or 30 years ago, and told her that I now spend my time drawing and painting, she would look at me laughing and not believe me.
But life is what it is.
You think that something or someone is not meant for you? Boom!!!
It proves you wrong.
That's what happened to me.
In 2019, I was given the chance to make my own surfboard from A to Z. It's not something I had ever considered doing, I had never even thought about it, but I was offered this course. In the end, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I loved playing with the tools, working patiently to shape my board, and watching it slowly come to life in my hands. I am the kind of girl you would find more easily in a hardware store than in a shoe or clothing shop! 😂
Here I am shaping my surfboard and so happy to be doing it! If you're interested in the experience, it's possible in Biarritz, France at Shaper House. Plus, they are super nice.
Once the work was finished (after 3 days) I went home, I left it to dry for a month (the time it took for the resin to really set), and one day I almost heard it say to me "customise me, tell a story, give me an identity. Your identity."
So for the first time in my life I bought some paint (at the time I was unable to distinguish between acrylic markers and alcohol markers, that shows where I was starting from!) and I began to tell a story. The one you can see in the cover photo of this article.
Of course, I had to work extensively on paper first to learn to draw my ideas (I was really starting from scratch), test things out, but when I started drawing on my board, the feeling was just as magical as when I made it.
Here I am sketching the drawing I had created (don't mind the mess in the background 😂)
I love making things and then decorating them, that's why when I go to my ceramicist friend's place, I am happy. I love being able to create something from A to Z.
So that's how it all began.
I don't paint to be exhibited in museums or galleries, it doesn't attract me at all, it's far from being a goal for me.
To be honest, I paint on canvases because that's what artists do, because I thought it would be easier to sell and thus survive in this ruthless world of art, but clearly I was wrong.
Give me a surfboard or a coffee mug to decorate tomorrow and I know I will be the happiest. But I now live very far from the ocean where surfboards are the norm and I cannot afford to invest in materials to create and decorate either surfboards or coffee mugs. So I am looking for another way to keep my art alive while staying true to myself. I will eventually find it 😊.
So I started with my surfboard and I have never stopped since.
And believe me, I have had many reasons to give up.
My life has become a real storm, I have lost many things, people, money... but I have never stopped.
Because when I create I feel good, I feel myself.
Creating is a way to express oneself. That’s one of the reasons I find it extremely sad that everyone is jumping on AI these days. What you gain from creating yourself is priceless.
Focusing on the destination rather than the journey is really not the best thing to do to feel free and happy. But let’s move on, that’s not the topic of the day.
Why am I telling you all this today?
Because you might be thinking things like:
"Oh I can’t draw"
"I am unable to paint"
"I have never drawn a single thing in my life"
"I am really bad at drawing"
And many other things like that.
If that’s the case, please, TRY.
Don’t try for money, don’t try for glory.
Try for YOURSELF.
What art will bring you is priceless.
Serenity, calm, inner peace, pride...
ART is everywhere.
In words, colours, shapes, music...
So maybe if you don't want to draw or paint, writing could be the form of art that suits you. Why not dance?
As long as you do it for yourself, it will help you.
You don't have to share it with everyone.
The only thing you have to do is create something and enjoy every moment of your creation, not just the result.
So please, put on your favourite playlist and start creating something.
It could change your life forever.
Art changed mine a few years ago, and I know this is just the beginning of my adventure, that I haven't yet found my "thing", but I will find it, because I won't stop searching. And I really do love to create, so it's not a problem.
If you decide to start something, feel free to share it with me in the comments, I will always be happy to read your stories. We feel less alone when we share our experiences 😊.
Don't spend too much time hesitating. Start now while I continue to search for the missing piece of the puzzle. The first one who finds the answer lets the other know 🤗
Thank you for reading my words 💝
Joanna 🦋
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