Catherine Bell
As a child, I always found drawing and painting to be the most relaxing and enjoyable activities. As an adult, I have continued with these hobbies but have also discovered the benefits of yoga, meditation, and spending time with my family. When I travel, one of my favorite ways to spend time is visiting museums and galleries to see art. Unfortunately, being an adult with no children, my friends and family know that no matter how busy my life may get, I always have to answer the question, “When is your next art show?” Even when I try to avoid the question, it will still pop up in some form. This is what led me to start making my own art, and I have been doing so for the past few years. Being able to create something that is only mine and no one else’s is a great feeling, and something that I hope to share with others through my work.
Comfort In Color
When I first started making my art, I did so because I wanted to find a way to relax and be myself when I wasn’t working. Being an attorney is very demanding, and although I try to enjoy my job, there are times when it feels like more than just a job. When those days happen, I like to find ways to relax, and painting has helped me do just that. Plus, I enjoy the creative process and being able to look back at the end and see something I poured my heart into.
After doing a bit of research, I learned that creating art is a passion that tends to wander from person to person. There are some basics that I learned along the way that have helped me become a better artist. For example, always paint what you know, and always work on your weaknesses. Also, never be afraid to fail at something, as long as you learn from it and try to do better the next time. Finally, surround yourself with creative people and be open to their ideas. Most importantly, have fun! If you are having trouble, ask for help. There are so many people out there who can help you, and they are all eager to give some advice. Just remember that no matter what, you will never be able to please everyone, so find the joy in creating something unique that speaks to you and your interests.
Why Are You Pleased With Self-expression?
There are many reasons why I am pleased with self-expression, but here are the top three:
- It allows me to be myself. Being able to put a face to the name, a picture to the word, and an outfit to the statement, is extremely liberating. No one has to judge me by what they see on the outside because on the inside, I’m a whole different person. I can be crazy, and they will never know. At least, not until they get to know me better.
- It allows me to be creative. When I was a kid, my parents would always tell me that I could be anything that I wanted to be. Even now, whenever I feel stuck in my life, I will often ask myself, “What would Catherine do?” And for the most part, the answer will come to me easily. I may not always like what I come up with, but I will always respect my creative self.
- It makes me feel good. When I get that rush of excitement from doing something that I love, it really does make me feel good. Even now, whenever I feel down or out of sorts, I will often find myself back in my studio crafting something new. It may not always fix everything, but it always helps.
Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?
One of the hardest parts about being an adult is looking into the future and seeing what it has in store for you. With so much uncertainty, it’s hard to know what will happen in the next five years. But as difficult as looking into the future may be, it’s also one of the most interesting things that you will ever do in your life. So many things can happen in the next five years, and it’s up to you to decide what you want to see happen.
When I think about the future and the direction that this country is heading in, it saddens me to think about where the art world stands today. It’s so important to me that the next generation continues to appreciate art and all of the different mediums that we have available to us. There are so many threats to art and artists, and we must fight to ensure that our culture isn’t damaged by these forces. If we don’t, then what will our children’s children take as a heritage?
That’s why I’m so passionate about making sure that our next generation continues to value art and all of the artists who have come before them. One way that we can ensure this is by presenting them with a valuable tool that was once only available to the elite, now available to everyone.