Art: A Gift from God • by Amy Hanna

I wish I had known that art was an option when I was younger — I craved to be lost in something my whole young adult life but never quite knew what that was. My search led me on a ton of adventures filled with traveling and exploring. The only thing I lacked was my own personal confidence to explore my inner artist. I was however very familiar with the artists surrounding me and their delivery of their passion. I had loved nothing more than visiting local art shops in cities that I traveled to and admiring other artists’ creations.

A Buried Spirit
It was not until I was a mother that I let go of my passions and dedicated my life to being a good mother. After my son had turned three I finally felt the excitement to dwell back into my passions and I then decided to return to college to pursue my love of interior design. I was really loving the journey it was taking me on when suddenly I found myself pregnant with my twin girls. Wow this was a big shocker for me — I was finally at a place where I thought I would be able to have both motherhood and a career. I really found myself shutting down creatively when this happened. That is when God placed a very special person in my life, my friend Pam Garrison, who asked me a life-changing question one day: “Why is a person as creative as yourself not creating?”

Wow, nobody ever asked me that before, especially someone who I respected on a creative level. I had buried my spirit so far down deep inside myself, yet she saw in me what made my heart dance. She shared with me that if she did not create she would crawl into the fetal position and die. Wow, that question started to haunt me. That is when my journey really began ...

Digging Deep for Art
I had been collecting jewelry pieces from two fabulous jewelry artists, Eric Silva and Julie Wolfe. The two of them represented three things that I love in jewelry: mechanics, movement, and spiritualism. Julie was the first and only person that I knew of who incorporated any vintage religious pieces into her wonderful jewelry. Eric has such a magical way of making metal spin and twist. He uses raw stones in such a beautiful way. So I also give them credit on my personal journey of finding one of my passions.

Looking back, opening that door was like opening up a floodgate. God has blessed me so much since then. One thing that I had to come to terms with early on was that I did not own my creativity — it was a gift from God, and he intended for me to share it, even if all I did was reach out to other women and give them the gift that Pam gave to me: the approval to dig down deep and allow the creative juices to flow and share. Art is a beautiful thing; it connects spirits and souls, it mends broken hearts and wings, and it makes your heart race and your spirit soar. It is a beautiful gift from God that makes this earth a beautiful place to live in.

Learn more about Amy Hanna at her blog, amyhanna.typepad.com.

Comments

[linda]

Thanks for sharing your story of discovery...it's lovely to know that it's never too late to start creating and following your passion. Your work is very comforting to look at...like exploring someone's house full of treasures from their adventures!

[shona cole]

Amy, I can so identify with your story on so many levels. Your words 'I craved to be lost in something my whole young adult life but never quite knew what that was' - that was me too! until i became a mom. and I totally agree that creativity is a gift from God, to be explored and enjoyed fully. thank you for sharing your story. Your art work is spectacularly beautiful.

[Teresa Sheeley]

You just inspired me so much, I was truly touched by your story, and your faith.

Thank you so much for sharing your creative soulful journey.

[Cindy]

Amy, I enjoyed reading more about you and how you started down your journey creating such beautiful jewelry. Very inspiring! :-)

[Bea]

Amy, your work is so inspirational to me. Thank you for your words. I have been creatively dry for quite some time. Sometimes, you need a swift kick!

[the messy nest - Jen Osborn]

I loved hearing your story Amy!
You have such an amazing eye for what you do, and I always smile when I see pictures of you and Pam out having fun :)