How I Knew I was an Artist: My Creative Journey

Sometimes, we just know something about ourselves, even before anyone else sees it. For me, it was the certainty that I was an artist. It's a bold statement, but I felt it deep in my heart from a very young age. I could sense it every time I picked up a crayon, or a pencil, or a brush. That quiet belief, coupled with seeing my art as tangible evidence, is what led me on my creative journey. I want to share how I first realized I was an artist and how my creative expression as early as childhood shaped the artist I am today. 

 

Discovering I Was an Artist in Art Class

As a little girl, art class was where I felt most like myself. It wasn't just a fun break from the other subjects; it was a space where I truly belonged. I remember the joy of finger painting, sketching and crafting--my imagination unfolding onto the page. Those moments in art class made me feel like I had found my purpose. The act of creating wasn't just an activity, it was a way to show who I was.

 

     

Creative Expression Throughout My Childhood

As I reflect on my childhood, I realize I was always creating. Whether it was drawing, crafting, painting, or imagining new worlds through my sketches. My days were filled with moments where art was at the forefront. Creating wasn't a hobby; it was a part of my identity. Art was my way of interacting with the world, even at a young age. Every small creative act felt like a thread that wove together the fabric of who I was becoming.

        

Healing My Inner Child Through Art 

Returning to art as an adult has been like extending a hand to my younger self, the part of me who longed to be a maker, to create freely, but felt held back by expectations. Growing up, there were so many unspoken pressures about what was "worth" pursuing. Art, in many ways, was seen as an indulgence rather than a valid path. Even when I felt the pull to create, to fill pages with my ideas and colors, those expectations weighed heavily on me, urging me to set art aside for more "practical" endeavors.

As I reconnected with art, it wasn't just about picking up a brush or pencil again; it was about reclaiming a part of myself that had been quieted. Every stroke of a paintbrush or line from a pencil, felt like giving that child permission to exist, to explore, and to dream without boundaries. Creating has allowed me to nurture the parts of myself that were tucked away. In each piece I create, I feel a release, a sense of healing, as if I'm finally honoring that inner child who always wanted to make beautiful things.

           

Knowing you're an artist is a deeply personal journey, one that may unfold over time. Being an artist is a journey or remembering yourself, of learning to trust your inner voice. Art has a unique way of helping us reclaim ourselves, healing the pieces that have been quieted along the way. In giving ourselves permission to create, we're telling our younger selves they've always been worthy of expression. Hold on to that belief, let it guide you, and watch as you bloom into the artist you've always known you are.

xo