A Story of Art • by Cathy Kirwan {tinniegirl}

Trying to Find the Words
I’ve started this story so many times, trying to find words to capture how I feel about art and the role that it plays in my life. I have a particular process that I use when I write a story. Rather than mapping out the story or writing drafts I simply let the ideas roll about in my mind. I think about the story when I’m out riding my bike, or in the shower, or on my way to work. Sometimes I do this for weeks or even months, and then at some point, after lots of pondering, the story will be ready to be told and out it will pour — from my heart and soul and mind, into a string of words.

Not this time though. I’ve been thinking about this story for months now, maybe close to six months. And here I am on the day this story is due with still no real concrete words to tell you how art has impacted on my life. How art has saved me.

Art Has Changed My Life
So instead of trying to force words that just won’t appear here’s a simple list of ways that art has changed my life.

• Art has lit up my life with hope and joy
• Art has allowed me to see myself in a new way — strong, powerful, brave, accomplished
• Art has been a friend to me through the grief of losing my best friend
• Art has been my companion through the loneliness of chronic illness
• Art has brought me new friendships and connections that I can’t imagine my life without
• Art has led me to travel across Australia and across the world to paint alongside other kindred spirits
• Art came into my life and filled a deep void that had been with me for as long as I could remember

My Yellow Brick Road
Discovering art and taking the journey to becoming an artist has been the most rewarding, challenging, and terrifying thing I have ever done. Every single day I am so glad that I found the beginning of the yellow brick road that led me to my personal Oz.

To finish I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes by the great Vincent Van Gogh: “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”

To learn more about Cathy Kirwan {tinniegirl}, visit tinniegirl.com.au.

Comments

[Lorrie]

Cathy this was a lovely story. So happy to see you here among such wonderful artists. It is right where you belong my friend!

[The Creative Beast]

I'm so excited to a blog buddy and fellow Artful Journey classmate here at Crescendoh! Great article too =-)

[Barbara Moore]

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I've still to find the words to express how Art has effected me. You definitely belong here and I'm so happy that you allowed your Art to be free!