There have been times when I wanted to throw in the towel.

There have been times when I wanted to throw in the towel.  When I've questioned if I was even on the right path.  When I felt like I had nothing to offer creatively.

Deep down I know and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity that I feel God has given to me.   I am a creative Late Bloomer.  I did not know that I could paint or draw until 6 years ago.  It was a cold day in February 2011 that I pondered the thought that there had to be more to life than what I was living.  My life was good, I just felt there had to be more.  I began with  one foot in front of the other.

It is one of the most awesome feelings when I wake up from a night's sleep and intuitively know what I am going to create.  It's the best EVER!  I trust the process and follow.   That's when I'm able to earnestly say, "I have what it takes!"

But...when those negative thoughts creep in, they can/they will/they have thrown me into a tail spin.  It's not fun either to feel so low.  One thing I have learned from experience is it's much easier to "not even go there" with the negative thoughts than it is to try and recover from them.  I have a several plans that seem to work for me.  I acknowledge that negative thoughts are part of the equation and how I handle them is my choice.  They have no power over me, they are just thoughts,  unless I allow them to.  I breathe and let the thought pass me by.

Yet since my fear is about not being creatively worthy I know I have to "get back on the horse" sorta speak.  Here's what I do.

My art table is covered with white craft paper where I scrape the excess paint from my brushes, etc.  This is what it looks like right now.

When I feel the paper is at it's messy capacity and needs to be changed out I roll it up and save it.

Here is one of the many ways I use the rolled up paper.

I take out my art journal. 

I glue sections of the paper onto pages of the journal.

I instantly have the start of an art journal page.  This helps spark creativity.   

A blank page can be daunting at times which can jump start the mind-chatter into motion.

Here are some of my current pages all ready for me.

They almost look like art themselves.  Don't they?

                                

                                

   

Below is a journal page that started out as scrap paper from my art table. All I did was add flowers by making acrylic skins.  I painted stems and leaves.  I added shadows with charcoal.

Rest assured I averted the negative mind chatter on this day.

Thanks for sharing my journey with me.

Did you know?

I started hosting a blog in December 2012, titled http://www.imalatebloomer.com.   Regretfully, I have been remiss in the upkeep of this site.  I was temporarily detoured.  This site holds a very special place in my heart.   My intention was/is  to have a place to share stories, to recognize, and celebrate people who creatively bloomed later in life.   I know for certain  there are many creative people out there who have stories to tell that are inspiring and uplifting.   Just like, I know for certain there are people reading these stories who want to step out of their comfort zone(s) and start creating, too. Your story just may be the one to help them take that step.  But... we will never know unless you tell your story.

According to Wikepedia, " a late blooming adult is a person who does not discover their talents and abilities until later than normally expected".  I certainly fit into that category.  Notice the definition doesn't give an age.  Why?   Because your age  isn't the determining factor.   I didn't know that I could paint or draw until I was 58 yrs. old.   With encouragement from others, all I had to do was take that first step out of my comfort zone.  Now there is no stopping me.  I am filled with gratitude for taking those first steps.

 I am re-committing to share these stories.

Let me tell yours and add you to this vase.

It's easy.

Email me at:smileee001@gmail.com

Write an article (approx. 3 paragraphs) tell me:

• Why and when you became a creative Late Bloomer
• What is your passion
• Provide me with links where people can go to learn more about you.
• Send me photos of you and your art or whatever for me to add
• I WILL TAKE CARE OF THE REST 

Cranky Old Man

I was reading face book today and I came across this story  (click the link) posted by Debbie Saporta. 
When I read this story I knew deep within my soul that this was a message to me.  I started sobbing.  I have been asking the Universe for guidance, writing about it in my journal, and practicing being quiet enough to hear the messages.  All the while the messages have been there.  

I've talked about my passions for the older generation to friends but I have never opened myself up so publicly like I am today.    I realize I am taking a risk by speaking my truth yet I have confidence that the timing is right.

I have this thing for senior citizens.  Ever since I can remember, even as a young person,  they have been special to me.  My mom knew this, so much so that when she passed away she had engraved in her tombstone as a reminder for me.

Most of my adult life I have either worked in a nursing home or have volunteered in one.   They haven't changed much since the first time I stepped foot into one.  I have empathy for the staff who works there.  Yes, I will admit that I even sometimes can loose my patience, too. In  my opinion, nursing homes are under staffed and under paid.    I speak often to my friends that when I go to a nursing home I don't want to be known as the little old lady who pees in her chair,  I want to be know for who I am.  That is exactly what this man is saying in his poem.   

I am profoundly aware of the change in me since I have let my creative spirit out to play.  I am convinced that it can do the same for other people, even more so for senior citizens.  I may discover more creative Late Bloomers.  ( I shake my head with amazement to realize I was receiving messages when I started this blog)  Here is what I want to do.  I want to teach art to seniors.  Not for the sake of becoming a Picasso or Rembrandt but instead to just tap into their creative nature and bring a little more brightness to their day.  Don't know where or how, I just feel that is what I am suppose to be doing.  Can't explain it any better than that!  Get this...back in November I   did this spread in my art journal 

Then I felt brave and I contacted a paint company and told them what I wanted to do and they sent me 248 bottles of paint, for free.  You see, all the messages are there I just need to stop trying to figure it all out (ego mind) and trust, then keep moving forward.  I know the right circumstance will present themselves and I will meet the right people to guide me.

Thanks Debbie Saporta for sharing this story.