Let me explain. I have long held onto the idea that the right tool will transform me somehow. For example, I have a pretty horrible southpaw scrawl. I’ve long fancied that the right pen will give me good penmanship. That is sadly not so.
Also, I’ve long hoped that the right cookbook will turn me into … not a good cook, per se, but someone who likes to cook. That is sadly untrue as well. I mean I will always love to bake. And, I like looking at some food photos, but time spent in the kitchen should be to rinse paint brushes or wash my hands after using glue or resin or some other crafty medium. Time spent on food prep, especially if it’s just for me, feels like wasted time.
That said, I recently bought a shirt in Chicago that is fun and billowy and reminds me a lot of how some artsy women dress. (Is it impossible to be creative when you’re restricted by tight clothing? Really, billowy clothing is a common sight among women at the art retreats and other classes I’ve attended.)
I’ve been thinking about that shirt a lot. I’ve yet to wear it, and I wonder how it will make me feel — if it will make me feel anything. Will I feel like an artist if I dress like one? Or is my non-work uniform of jeans or cords and a t-shirt and cardigan enough of artistic garb for me? I don’t have many pairs of jeans without a resin spot here or there. And I’m OK with that. They are washing-machine resistant bits of proof that I do make things in my spare time.
Is there even such a thing as looking like an artist? And, why would I care what people think about how I look?
Sure I want to look presentable at the market and other shows, but do I want people to see me and think artist? Is there even a way to make that happen? Other jewelry makes tend to dress up. What is that message? “I’m living large. You can too, if you buy my jewelry.”
That seems to make sense. My style is a little more casual. I’m hesitant to say funky. But that’s my ideal customer. She’s not afraid to wear something a little kooky, something very different.
And, I shouldn’t be either. Whether it’s resin marred jeans, a favorite Threadless t-shirt, or my new, flowy “artist” shirt, I just need to be me. It’s really all I can be.
