License

Grow up all ready! How long does that take? I am still astounded at the immaturity of most men versus most women. How do we have the up, on behaving with decorum and some men have so little?

A person who produces creative works, is an artist. I am that. I draw, paint, and write. That is my art, the avenue for my expression. I often get tongue tied when in front of people, but I can fully articulate in my creative work.

I have always been creative. It is part of the makeup, my person, my soul. It has always been. I don’t think you can learn to be creative, you just are. Sure, you can learn to draw, paint, or write, but learning those things is not the creative part.

Creative comes from the depths of your inner being. It’s a voice that has to scream out, but has no language. Creativity’s language is heard only in the heart of the creator, who understands it, fully. It has a voice only heard and deciphered, by the artist and sometimes other artists.

People process things in different ways, and channel their emotions differently as well. Some use fists, and lash out. Some withdraw and fester, leading to internal mental or emotional damage. Some verbalize and speak out, and then there is the artist. We, express with hands, our fingertips, our imagery spattered on canvas or paper.

So many artists, have deep thoughts, feelings, or pain, and cannot speak of it, or properly express themselves. Some are just in love with beauty or the ugliness of life. Ugliness is still a beautiful thing. Different is a beautiful thing. Who wants copy and paste life. Whatever form we take is determined by us. We see the world, we remake, shape, or describe, the world in our creative visions and speak through our pieces.

I for instance, use two mediums, technically. I created visual art, drawings, paintings, and pastel art, and I write poetry, and prose. These are my venting and my expression, and how or what I see. Both serve different purposes in my life and both speak a different language.

I write from a dark place, mostly, and I draw or paint from a light place. I write about pain, suffering, love, passion, or the lack there of, and I create visual art from the beauty I see and enjoy. I create what intrigues me, what I love or enjoy, and what clears my head. I write from experiences, dreams, desires, or just anger. They are my catharsis in almost opposite juxtaposition. I post my art so others can see it, enjoy it, or be disturbed by it. It makes no difference to me how it is viewed, I do it for me. It is my voice, my heart, my mind, and my soul.

That being said, I won’t apologize for it, if it offends, and if it is pleasurable, I am happy for the recipient; but make no mistake, neither effects how I exorcise my demons, or how I savor my happiness.

I enjoy it all. I went thirty years stilted and removed from my creative artistic side and thought it was fine, but as it turns out, I needed it. I need it for me. I love the work and the joy it gives me is beyond words. I will never leave it again. Nothing will come between me and my soul again. However, I get the occasional thorn in my side and that bugs me to no end.

I draw what I find beautiful and curious. That, includes bodies, dressed and undressed, strait laced and not. Pierced bodies, tattooed bodies, sexy bodies, youthful bodies, and old, common things and not common. I draw parts of bodies, the eyes most notably, because it is my absolute favorite subject. I enjoy making things look realistic and seeing how close I can get to it looking real. I enjoy it all and enjoy when others appreciate my work, visual and non visual. Written work is still visual by the way. When you read you see an image. The most amazing art.

Anyway, every now and then, I get the weirdo, or the outright crass, comments or questions. I can usually brush them off, but on occasion, I get mad. My art or my writing, no matter how teasing, sexy, alluring, or erotic, is NOT an invitation. I give no one, license to proposition me or make overtly sexual innuendos. Yet I get them.

Let me tell you something. If you cannot view art and maturely comment or keep your conversation respectful, then keep it to yourself. Grow the heck up! Learn to appreciate art for art. And please do not ever assume, that an artist who draws nudes, is advertising for a sexual suitor. They aren’t. I am sure every is capable of admiring a work for its beauty and keep themselves from childlike behavior, so why not impress us, rather than affront us with barbarity.

Act like adults, people. Behave and be nice, and for goodness sake, stop assuming. We all know what that does.

Either way how and what you think of our art, my art, will not stop us from creating it or creating in our own way. It won’t stop us period. The spectator is not given the right to dictate what we make, how we make it, or why.

This is not a hobby for us. It’s a need, a requirement, for a fulfilled life. And it’s use being truthful to ourselves and or inner voices, that need hearing. Be blessed that we have shared that secret world with you. It’s guarded so deeply, and it is a window into not just our minds, but our hears and souls as well. Be kind.