Kathys Cottage

(One of my bowls)

I stopped by for tea with Mary this morning and was so moved by her post. She writes about a need to create and wonders if anyone else feels that way. Oh yes! I have always wanted to create, in fact, even though I did not pursue a career in art, I have been compelled to create all my life. I grew up in a very rural area of Michigan, on a farm, with lots of hard work and a very practical mindset. Art was a fun pastime, but to think about it as a way of life or career was pretty much scoffed at. "You can't make a living with art." So being the practical hard working farm girl I was I set about making a life. I went to college for 2 years,(first in my family to do so), met my husband, and (gasp) dropped out of college. Probably the biggest mistake of my life (the dropping out, not the husband :>) Worked hard for years and put all my creative energy into raising my girls. I homeschooled, decorated on a nonexistant budget, taught art to the homeschool group I belonged to, taught Sunday school, and painted and created as a hobby. In the 90's I dipped my toes into the craft show circuit and was pretty successful. My first inkling that you could make a living with art. But I soon gave that up as I went about the business of raising the girls. Now I have two beautiful daughters who are all grown up. My baby goes to college this fall. I knew a couple years ago that I would have to make a drastic change. I was losing my full time job as a mother. A job I loved but which eventually gives you the pink slip:>)
I decided it was time to do what I really wanted to do, and that was to explore my creative side more fully. To give myself the chance to follow my dreams and my muse. My husband has always been my biggest fan and supporter. I am so thankful for his love and the belief he has in me! I signed up for pottery classes, took out my sewing machine and paints and started blogging. I feel like my world and my options have opened up! All I can say Mary is follow your dreams, this is your time, you have worked hard for it. I know you will be successful because you have such an eye for beauty and you could not find a better support group than your blogging friends! And to anyone else out there who has a dream that they have put on the back burner, just do it! I would love to hear how and when your own creative journey began!