My Inner Artist • by Mindy Lacefield

When I think about my creative journey, I look back and realize that each step was a process and growing experience so that I’d be ready with the tools I needed to make a living as an artist. Growing consisted of mainly believing in myself and taking a leap into realizing my own dreams.

Squashing the Signals
I remember back when I was in college. Strolling through the little on-campus art gallery and admiring the works of students, I would think to myself, “I wish I could major in art, but I need to get a real job.” So my heart was already giving me signals then and probably way before, but I squashed them and told myself, “Who am I to think I can paint? I’m not the artist in the family. My uncle and cousins ... they are the REAL artists.” Indeed they still are. I never believed that I was worthy of an artistic life. No, I never said that out loud really, but the left side of my brain had a hold on me and logically it was saying, almost sub-consciously ... “You can’t do this.”

Finally after failed attempts at finding a creative job in marketing, I returned to school to get my master’s in business, thinking that was the key to landing that cool creative marketing job. No such luck. After many, many interviews I heard someone say or read the question, “If you could do anything tomorrow that didn’t involve work, what would you do? Then make that your profession.” Well, this was really profound, hearing something so brave as to make your job something you love to do. In my case, at the time, was makeup. So off I went, to work in makeup and felt my creative force really able to stretch its legs. It was liberating. It was scary to make that jump but once I let myself be courageous it became easier and it felt right. I learned color technique. I learned to work with brushes and the careful blending that is needed to execute a beautiful smoky eye.

An Urge to Paint
Then a trip to wine country in 2005 brought about another major change in my path. My husband and I were driving to our hotel via the infamous highway 101 after a wine tasting and I had the incredible urge to paint what I saw. The moon looming elegantly on the horizon of the dark water. The contrast of white glow against the dark water was calling out. I had never had this urge to paint before and I think it was at this very point that my intuitive side of my brain said to my logical side, “Move aside, I’m taking over this ship.” I arrived home with a since of urgency to purchase some acrylic paint and after laying my items on the check-out counter, the clerk asked, “Are you an artist?” And I said, “We’ll see.”

That following fall, I began taking art classes at the same college I earned my MBA and entered into a whole other world. I knew that was where I was meant to be. Although I was nervous and a little apprehensive, especially about some of the classes I knew weren’t really my strengths, I took my new found bravery and plowed ahead. It seems my inner artist was screaming to get out and once I learned to listen, it brought me out of darkness. My world seemed brighter. I think God instills art in us all … a spiritual, yet outward expression of who we are. I’m glad I learned to listen to the universe and my inner artist. They most certainly saved me.

To learn more about Mindy Lacefield, visit timssally.com, or find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Comments

[kolleen]

i am so happy you learned to listen too... or else i wouldn't have my favorite sweet Mindy pieces that i embrace me every single day!!!!

you are an incredible artist who i feel so blessed to know.

i love this quote from you "i think God instills art in us all...a spiritual, yet outward expression of who we are."
(people are going to be using that quote for years to come!!!!)

loving you
oxoxoxoxo
k

[lisa]

mindy you are such an inspiration!

i love you.

[juliette crane]

mindy, you are always so inspiring! hearing your story so touches my heart and reminds me to have strength and courage and to always follow my intuition. i'm so happy you followed (and continue to follow) yours :)

thank you so much for being such an inspiration!
xo, juliette

[beth]

Mindy thank goodness you listened to that little voice! Love your story and your work
Beth

[stephanie]

You have become the artist you always dreamed of! ;)
xx
samos

[Danielle]

Dearest and sweetest friend,

I am so happy you listened to your inner compass and and followed your heart`s whispers. You inspire so many of us to go there and believe in the possibilities. Thank-you for sharing you ART and you heART with the world. We are all better for it.

Much love,

Danielle

[Missy]

"I think it was at this very point that my intuitive side of my brain said to my logical side, “Move aside, I’m taking over this ship.”

Crazy amazing description of that one monumental moment! Aaaahhh, you belong in a fairyworld, Mindy! I will never stop being giddy that I get to be alive on the planet at the very same time as you!

The name 'Mindy Lacefield' conjures up so many beautiful, magical images! At the heart of them all her smiling face! Seeing it above, staring back at me alongside the timeless tale of how she were born as an artist is enough to send me spiraling into a vortex of endless bliss!

There cannot be enough online articles & praise written about this delicious human entity! Hip hip hooray for Mindy Lacefield! There's no other quite like her! <3

[Valerie Hart]

Loved reading your story Mindy and how you learned to listen to and honor your creative inspirations. "Do what you love and make that your profession..." what a novel thought and why don't we teach this to every child...? Love & blessings, xoxo Valerie

[Jennifer]

Mindy

I am so happy that you listened to that little voice inside of you and followed your path. You doing that has opened up doors for so many that they never realized were there. You can put me at the top of that list.

I adore you and your work. I love seeing you spreading your wings and flying. Keep soaring dear girl. Keep soaring.

[Jennifer]

Mindy

I am so happy that you listened to that little voice inside of you and followed your path. You doing that has opened up doors for so many that they never realized were there. You can put me at the top of that list.

I adore you and your work. I love seeing you spreading your wings and flying. Keep soaring dear girl. Keep soaring.