My greatest teacher all along turned out to be my life. It’s not the answer this prompt question might be looking for. Truly, I have had some great teachers who really impacted my scholastic self concept at key moments over the years.
But looking back over a full and busy life, it is experience that I’ve learned the most from.
Sorry to bore with all this artist talk.
Being an artist in this century is a constantly changing steep learning curve. Seeking a fulfilling beautiful life along side, provides continuous opportunities to learn. There are no clear rules. My friend once said “It’s like the Wild West out there! You just kind of make it up as you go along.”
Isn’t this true of life in general for some people? Art or no art, I think that I would always be outside the box, making it all up.
Life has taught me to be okay with this. I spent most of my younger days trying to be in a box, THE box, the one everyone seemed to want me in. I was often upset when it proved to be too hard. Life showed me gradually over time, that it was perfectly fine to be a person such as myself, even if it made others worry or uncomfortable.
My way, my approach, might seem strange, (hence all the well meaning advice) but life showed me that it’s really perfect for me to live intuitively. A younger me thought I had to change at a basic level, an experienced me understands that its so much easier to work with myself. To be on my own side.
When I finally accepted that I was an artist, like it or not, it wasn’t like everything fell seamlessly into place. Life didn’t play out that way. At some point I also had to also learn that I wasn’t a victim of any of it.
I learned this one lesson over and over and am still learning, I am not, and never have been a victim of my circumstances, of life. Life is a patient teacher, even though it marches on, hardly waiting for me to catch up. Life won’t give me lemonade. Lemons yes, but it’s true, what they say about what I make of it, another important lesson. (Knowing me, I want lemon squares instead, anyway).
Today I am surrounded by sold and favorite paintings of mine. A fleeting moment for me to take in.
Life is teaching me something about this part as well.
Peace Kit 