I recently was asked to do an interview on an amazing podcast titled “Something (rather than) Nothing”. The founder of the podcast happened to be vacationing on the Oregon Coast and more specifically was in my neck of the woods, little o’l Waldport, population 3900. He purchased one of my prints at the Farmer’s Market and told me that he would like to interview me as I fit his guest list. Interestingly enough, he gave me the list of questions he asks ahead of time, which was pretty cool but also raised some serious internal debate.
Were you born an artist?
My immediate response was… how the heck should I know? I was a baby when I was born, and I have very limited memories of my early childhood development.
Honestly, this question has been driving me toward the edge of madness, or rather more deeply into madness as I have never been sane. If it wasn’t for this potential interview on a really cool podcast, I would have never thought about this, which may come as a surprise to most people. I have been so busy creating art that I have never given the whole “was I always meant to be an artist?” question any thought at all. Art was something I always did to fill the boring gaps in my life, it’s like the current generation Gameboy, or Tablet, or whatever people are using (I was never allowed technology as a child).
So, was I born an artist? Honestly? I think no. But I do know I was born a bit different, there are plenty of childhood stories from my parents to prove that. Perhaps it is less about what you could have potentially been born as, and more about what you decide to pursue. I have pursued a lot of different things, art just being one of the many facets of my being.
I have a hard time hitching my wagon to just one part of my rather extensive self. For instance, I am also very good at welding, building homes/sheds/chicken coops…etc, fixing small motors, horse and camel training, homesteading, writing, gardening, heavy equipment operations, cooking; and well there are tons more. How can I say I was born just one thing when my existence is filled with an endless roster of what I am capable of doing?
Art has always been a huge part of my life, it has gotten me through every phase of my life and despite my tribulations, it is something I never gave up on. But it wasn’t all me, you see, the reason I never stopped sketching is because of my amazing mom and dad, who constantly encouraged me despite my very sad and pathetic artistic endeavors as a small child. What if they told me the truth and said “wow that is terrible?” Maybe Holly would be a chemical engineer instead and not a starving artist. Food for thought.
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