Share a hobby you’ve picked up recently — what got you into it?
A few weeks ago I met an old family friend at a McMillan coffee morning. She’s a fantastic artist.
Whilst we were chatting, she said something that really struck me.
She told me that she started getting into art at around the age of sixty.
How many of us, I wondered, have the untapped potential within us to enjoy a new creative pursuit that we’ve never even tried? Or given up on? Or assumed we’d be no good at?
I loved drawing as a child and would spend hours trying to copy my favourite illustrations from my childhood books.
At fourteen I had to choose between art and music at GCSE, (what an impossible choice!) I chose music. No real regrets But I think in a subtle way, it was a defining moment. Suddenly, in my mind, I was no longer an artist. And my artistic pursuits kind of fell by the wayside.
And then my eldest daughter took up Art at GCSE. We bought her all the materials. Watercolours, acrylics, oil pastels, paintbrushes, sketching pencils.
And when she’d finished her studies, all that stuff was just sitting there unused.
And that seemed like such a waste.
So I started to dabble a bit here and there – with mixed results.
My artistic endeavours were pretty sporadic.
But bumping into my artist friend at the coffee morning really inspired me to pick up my pencils and try again. And again!
As a writer, I’m currently finding dabbling with art extremely therapeutic. I find having a go at something, outside of my normal skillset, is invaluable.
It teaches me to relax and be experimental. It reminds me to be playful and childlike and to not expect too much from myself.
I think with all creative pursuits we often get the best results when we simply let go and enjoy the process!
How about you? Have you tried something new lately? I’d love to hear about your creative projects in the comments below!
Thanks for reading.
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These are lovely, Angela! And you are so right about trying something different helping us relax and enjoy the process–that’s a big part of what I encourage my students to do. It’s hard, though; we’re all so used to producing things and want them to be great the first time! Have fun!!
I would love your prayers for me during this season of a book launch. It’s exciting and I love the in person visits and seeing my book in people’s hands, but it’s also all-consuming, and it’s hard to relax and remember God is in charge. And to take those breaks for walks and riding! And to care for the new puppy. Maple is 10 months now and full of energy! I’m thankful for my husband who is such a great help!
Hi Kathy,
Oh wow – sounds like a busy season! Very exciting though. Praying for you to be able to lean on Jesus during this hectic time and experience His yolk upon you which is light and easy! I pray you will have pockets of rest in the midst of the busy-ness and times of joy and refreshing as you walk that lovely pup. And I pray for your husband too, that He might know God’s abundant grace as well! Blessings friend. x
Thank you so much for your prayers, Angela. I’m trying to remember and enjoy something I’ve worked a long time for! But just like in art, we often forget to enjoy the process and lean on Jesus for the outcome–Cease striving and know that I am God!! I like your description of pockets of rest and refreshing. I need to remember to appreciate those times even if short!! Blessings to you as you continue to enjoy getting back into art!
love this Angie … inspiring stuff. I want to discover untapped skills and even stuff I’m not that great at as a skill but love anyway!! Where to start?!?!?
Hi Nance, How’s you?? Hmmm, it’s hard to know where to start isn’t it? I guess ask yourself some questions – what do you find yourself most drawn to/inspired by? Art? Music? Crafty stuff? Crochet/Knitting? Poetry? Start there. And ignore the voice that says, “But I’m not any good at that kind of thing….”