When Art Beckons...

My relationship with art started as a mere go-to whenever I feel off grid.

When I was younger, whenever I didn't feel good about myself, or what we call tino-toyo or sinusumpong, or if I feel my environment does not seem to jibe with what I want in life, I would seek comfort with that creativity hiding inside me. It is “hiding inside me” because I feel that it only comes out once in a blue moon. It is either when I am so down or so happy. In the middle of those feelings, is nada.

When I feel off, I would immerse myself in doing letterings or what we call now, calligraphy. I would make name bookmarks for my friends and put some ribbons on it. When I learned how to draw, I turned to my sketchbooks and drew the faces of my friends, crushes and basically anything that would catch my attention. I would also turn leftover house paints, scrap woods & plywood into artworks, come up with tunes, and compose songs until the unease subsides.

Those bouts would become an outpouring of sorts for me. I remained quiet in my nook and just created. I did not want to be disturbed.

Whether I have created something beautiful or not, it did not matter. The important thing is that I was able to let my energy flow.

Little did I know that it was transforming me, slowly but surely. Art was trying to connect with me, as if forcefully trying to awaken something in me. It got to a point when I just feel light and right whenever I get to work with my hands. Eventually, doing art and creating something became a part of me, and not anymore a mere go-to to help me fix myself. Whether I am feeling good or not, I would try to check-in and just draw, paint, make accessories, write, play an instrument or sing.

Then I felt the desire for growth, interested in how much potential I have and where my talents would lead me. To satisfy my curiosity, I enrolled in different workshops in my 50's. I eagerly learned the basics, emptied my vessel (though at first it was tough having teachers young enough to be my sons and daughters) and began to practice... I practiced as much as I could and kept showing up for myself.

Tapping into my creative self became an on demand meditative activity. It became a form of prayer, a sign of my gratitude for life.

My art journey made me believe that talent is in us all along, waiting to be recognized and developed, in ones own loving time.

So when art beckons, my wish for you is that you allow it to lead you... trust it…tap it… and use it!