Pretty much from the time either of my girls could hold a crayon, a paintbrush, or a pair of scissors, they have demonstrated a proclivity for producing beauty in whatever form their supplies allow. Yes, this sometimes includes tiny specs of paper (or in one specific memory, styrofoam shaved into snow) scattered across the floor. I have photo after photo of my two artists bent over masterpieces in paper and glue, Play-Doh, pipe cleaners, and LEGO creations.
While many of those early, messy pursuits have ebbed away, the artistic inclinations of both have remained, and spread into new mediums. As their worlds have expanded through reading and movies and learning new ideas in our unschooling homeschool adventures over the years, so have their creative interests. In fact, I would easily consider each of them prolific, and while it has at times proven a challenge as to how to contain the physical art they produce, I would absolutely not trade that challenge for anything, even free and decluttered space.
Why?
Because my teen artists inspire me daily. They inspire me with their artistic abilities, but they also amaze me with their creative vision and the ways they regularly show up for their art—it matters to them. And as a fellow creative, I take great encouragement from that. In fact, I bask in the glow of their efforts that bring forth beauty and delight and stories. There are times I wish I could hold the esoteric quality of their creative spirits in my hands, in my heart, and in my soul, breathing it in and experiencing the sacred beauty of it.
I have been witness to intricate artistry, yes, but even more, I have been invited into creative conversations that connect me to my teens in ways beyond parent and child; we are fellow artists on the ancient paths of seeking stories and bringing ideas to life. I consider it an honor and intimate privilege to be included in their pursuits, whether from a distance as they work, or in the process when they seek a sounding board, or in the celebration of a finished piece.
As a writer, I have had days when showing up has felt like the last thing I wanted to do. But when I witness the ongoing efforts of my teenage artists, I am convicted as well as inspired. There are no excuses; there is only the invitation, the divine invitation from the Creator whispered through the lives and works of my girls. I find myself not wanting to be an idle bystander but to likewise be a creator, a writer.
And so, as they, too, write the words of a story or sit down to sketch out an illustration of a story idea or to capture a rock star in the form of a dragon, I smile and savor the sense of joy that seeps into the air with their creating and I let the inspiration of their art guide me back to my own creative journey.
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