You can inspire others

By Lori D. Bowers

A warm welcome to you from Crows Chase Cottage. Autumn is now in full swing, with numerous fall festivals and craft fairs on the horizon. The season has also afforded me the opportunity to teach several journal based and mixed media art classes. These classes have been a joy to teach. The participants are extremely creative and excited to learn new techniques in crafting. I can definitely say our classes have been merry groups, exuberant actually. Even though many of us have never met, our love of art and creating made the atmosphere one of friendship. 

 I was beyond giddy at the excitement each person emanated during the learning process. To be honest, even though it is a completely different atmosphere than the history lecture hall, being able to teach again was rewarding. Being able to teach something which you yourself are so passionate about, is inspirational. When the participants are so pleased with their creations that they want to continue that artistic journey, you know that your passion for art has been used for the 'good'.
After several suggestions and requests for more specialized mixed media classes, I decided to begin a series of them at both Grinning Possum and FACS. 

However, the absolute reward was when one of my students spoke to me after class. They had smiling eyes and a content face. I was told that they had never been able to create art before...that they couldn't paint, draw, or create any type of art. But after taking the class, creating beautiful collage papers and tags, they were finally able to create art! The way in which this person spoke was quite emotional....They had always wanted to create but had never found the right outlet...now they finally found a way. When someone speaks to you with such emotion and hope, it sinks in just how much even the little things we teach in this world make an amazing difference! My small junk journaling class had completely changed this persons creative outlook....That they, who had never been able to create anything artistic, had just done so....had just found that outlet meant for them. 

For those reading this, realize that we have gifts to offer others. I know so many of us think, "I have nothing to say that anyone would find interesting." or "What do I have to teach others, no one would be interested in what I do." Never think that! One never knows at what point they can open someone's eyes to an entirely new idea, a new outlet in creativity....which is so therapeutic in a chaotic world. Share what you know, a skill, an art form, a new way of doing something, stories....whatever your creative vibe may be. There is someone out there that will be inspired by it! 

In closing, the morning is half over already, tasks call to me. Hand making price tags for our artwork to sell at the fall festival in Pikeville tomorrow is top of my list. Then creating some altered cards and other tags for FACS craft fair later this month. As the weekend arrives, find time for creating. Even spending 15 minutes immersed in a project can calm ones mind, bringing a much needed peaceful pause in an otherwise busy day. 
With kindest regards, from the cottage at Crows Chase. 

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