101 Ways I've Created

One of my favorite childhood memories includes drawing on the "den" floor with lots of paper and crayons.  My Dad use to come home from Brach's Candy in Chicago and sketch.  I think back to how connected I felt to Dad when I created something. 

"Meet the Artist" Orland Park, IL  Public Library, 2010  - Photo by Van Westrop

I remember one time when Dad first showed me his drawing with an eraser technique. It was a cool way to blend graphite and create highlights.  As a child, I was in awe as he guided me. 

A lot has happened in my life since those early years.  Yet, I am able to create.  This week, I was led to remember ways and circumstances I’ve created over the years.  I came up with over 100 ways. 

I’ve created...

1. At my kitchen table
2. In my bathroom
3. Surrounded by friends
4. Utterly alone
5. With a newspaper camera hovering
6. With no one in sight
7. Medicated
8. With no medication
9. With a full teaching load
10. With 3 students
11. With mentors
12. With a discipler (message me should you desire to know what that is)
13. With no mentors, friends, help, etc.
14. With many opportunities in the pipeline
15. Without a single opportunity on the horizon
16. With curators for friends
17. With pot heads for friends
18. When money was scarce
19. When the gas at home was turned off
20. When I was grateful for hot water
21. When former lovers refused to speak to me
22. As a single parent
23. As a happily married woman
24. When my husband adored what I created
25. When my husband belittled me
26. As an abused married woman
27. As my husband and I got counseling
28. When I was secure with God, family and myself
29. When I was insecure, weak and feeling worthless
30. I’ve created when I was severely obese at 225lbs.
31. As a healthier artist at 177lbs.
32. When my children watched TV
33. I’ve created with long hair.
34. With braids
35. With a short natural
36. When I paid my bills
37. When I was insolvent
38. When I had no savings
39. I kept creating when I studied for entrance into an MBA program.
40. When I dropped the study program and lost my $1240 dollar investment
41. I’ve created when my source of income was doing food surveys.
42. I’ve created in Oak Forest.
43. I’ve created in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.
44. In Arizona with artist Ted Nuttall.
45. As a struggling Lane Tech high-school student, suspended for being late.
46. I’ve created things late.
47. I’ve created on time.
48. With my daughters
49. When I could get no one to return a phone call
50. I’ve created with a medical card from the government(no private insurance).
51. With Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance
52. I’ve created for boards of directors.
53. I’ve created for a library with two in the audience.
54. With faith
55. Hopeless and depressed
56. With a vision board
57. Before I knew what a vision board was
58. With fancy business cards from vista print.
59. With business cards consisting of my number and an image of my grandmother
60. Before I had business cards
61. When I had a full palette of colors
62. When I did not know how to paint in oil and used notebook paper
63. When I only had two tubes of oil paint--red and black.
64. I've created when I spoke in tongues.
65. When I tarried for the Holy Ghost
66. When I believed in the Holy Spirit.
67. As a Christ-follower.
68. As a non-believer.
69. I’ve created on artist grade canvas.
70. On aluminum
71. On paper
72. On cardboard
73. On precious pink paper from the doctor’s office
74. Before there was Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter
75. I've created Pregnant.
76. Post-pregnancy
77. With a headache
78. With a heartache
79. I’ve created at the Palmer Square Art Festival(is that still around?).
80. When I worked at McDonalds
81. As an administrative assistant for ABN AMRO Bank
82. When I knew my mission statement
83. I created before I knew of mission statements.
84. As a mom who planned meals
85. As a mom who forgot to cook
86. I created when I earned $140 every two weeks.
87. Before I had a business coach
88. At the Create Conference - an art retreat
89. At Oxbow- through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
90. In the Cook County Forest Preserve
91. In a mental institution
92. On the “elevated train track” - the “el”
93. I’ve created after a fight.
94. Selfishly
95. Cheerfully giving
96. Disorganized, when my receipts were everywhere
97. When I did not sell a single painting all year
98. Working $7.50 an hour
99. Working $45 an hour
100. When I ate hog maws and loved it
101.  Living in my mom’s basement
102.  When I stayed in a shelter

Okay - so there were 102 ways. After all these years, God has sustained me through my life challenges.  I am so grateful for each relationship, experience and circumstance.

After listening to a message for the past few weeks by T.D. Jakes about God being the Lord of my scraps (my past history) I took the time to reminisce. 

Now it's your turn.  I guarantee you’ve also been held by arms much stronger than your own. 
Question: Should you take a look back in order to move forward? Is it time to push ahead or turn back in gratitude? You can leave a comment below.