Living the Life of an Artist • by DJ Pettitt

Art rescued me — from a place of darkness, loneliness, and pain. Along with my books and animals, making art provided me a safe haven in an otherwise very difficult childhood. For many years, I felt unworthy and completely empty; one of the only times I felt anything at all was when I was creating. Whether it was arranging flowers with my beloved grandma, doing 4-H projects, making “collages” with found paper, or crocheting little wrist warmers, my hands were always busy creating. Art was as natural, and as critical, to my survival as breathing. It still is.

A Spark That Wouldn’t Die
Although I have large memory gaps from my childhood, I clearly recall the day I was given a Brownie camera at the age of 12. Something changed inside me that day. Peering through the lens opened a whole new world for me as I took that camera everywhere, pretending to be a famous photographer. I didn’t always have film, but that didn’t matter to me. My imagination was enough, as I set up my shots and clicked that shutter over and over and over again. That sound is still magical to me, and photography remains an integral part of my creative life.

In high school, I idolized the “artistic” kids, wanting so much to be like them — they seemed so confident and free. Although I liked my art teacher, class was uninspiring, and I didn’t learn much, but that experience fostered in me a desire to teach — to give students more than what I had received. I lived in my head during that time, dreaming of being an artist and a teacher, but too unsure and scared to share my thoughts with anyone. Even though it was a dark time, there was some tiny spark within me that wouldn’t die out — a passion to create and share it with others. Looking back, maybe there was a part of me that knew even then that my creative talent was a gift from God, and that I had a responsibility to share it with others.

A Journey That Would Change my Life
I had hoped to go to be an Art History major in college, and to obtain a teaching credential, but life happened, and I had to drop out. Once again, I was adrift, not knowing who I was, where I fit in, or what I would do next. I felt lost and alone, and wondering what my future held. Little did I know that the path to realizing my dreams was about to unfold before me. My subsequent marriage to a wonderfully loving and supportive man, my growing faith in God, and my enduring creative passion was leading me on a journey that would change my life forever.

Although I continued to create over the years, teaching myself to draw, paint, take photos, sew, and then combine them in various ways, I still had not heard of the term “mixed-media.” It was when I came across the first issue of Somerset Studio that I discovered that there were others out there who shared my same passion — I was absolutely stunned! Then when a couple of women saw my work and encouraged me to sell my artwork and consider teaching, I was floored once again. I will never forget what it felt like to be told that I had something to offer the world. I still had so little confidence in myself that I could not believe that they “got me”! They remain good friends to this day and, along with my husband, continue to be my biggest cheerleaders. I feel enormously blessed and grateful to be living the life of an artist now, and teaching others how to uncover their creative talents. Although I had dreamt of this all my life, there were many times that I couldn’t see how it would become a reality. Like many others, I've faced serious challenges throughout my life, but my art has always been at my side. I can honestly say that my faith in God, my husband, and my art have saved my life, and I'm deeply grateful for these gifts.

To learn more about DJ Pettitt, visit djpettitt.com or djpettitt.typepad.com/djpettitt.

Comments

[Wendy B Burton]

Thanks for sharing your story DJ. I find it so amazing how sometimes our paths seem to be leading us farther and farther away from what we often really want only to provide us with more strength and inspiration, life experiences, that we might be more open to the magnificence within our selves.

[Jennifer Valentine]

Thank you so much for sharing your story...you are an inspiration to me and your work soothes my soul.
I literally carry you with me each day. My mother gave me one of your purses as a gift two years ago...and I still carry it today.
My "still, secret spot where dreams may go" has become my jewelry table, where my dreams are born each day.
Thank you for making the world a more beautiful place in every way...