The Lewisberry Maker School

I am an artist. I am a teacher. I am a wife, a mother, and a whole lot of other. I’m here because unlocking creativity, confidence and joy in others is my jam. My passion. Helping others who have somehow neglected themselves in their current season. Or previous season. Or every season of their life. I’m here for those who have compared themselves to others and have felt less than as a result. But, I am also here for myself on this journey. Walking side by side as we discover and rediscover what fills our hearts with joy and makes us feel more alive and fulfilled.

When I told people I was an art teacher, they immediately had to tell me that they couldn’t draw. To clear any judgement I might have had? To make sure their perceived inadequacies were known? I’m not sure but I stopped being surprised and just continued to be upset. Irked. I don’t know…just plain bothered? I started with an “oh really?” response which evolved into a response that would defend that person to themselves. Everyone is capable of drawing. It is a matter of whether or not you chose to develop the skill. I equate it to reading and writing. You had to learn how to hold a pencil. Then onto what a letter was, what sound it made, how to write it, how to string it together with other letters, how to sound them out, how to space them on your paper. Step by step your Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade teacher nurtured you through these vital steps.

In the beginning you loved creating. Coloring with all the colors, getting messy, feeling your brush glide across the paper, watching the colors dance together. Drawing your family members with love and joy and pride. Usually a circle with some sticks coming off of it. Maybe even adding a big smile and some eyes. You were so happy and expressive. Somewhere you developed a fear maybe? That your drawings were not as good as others? But someone had to put that in your mind because it doesn’t start with you. Did someone say your drawing was ugly? Did they say theirs was better? Did they criticize you in some way? Where your feelings hurt? Did you stop creating to protect your heart? What was that moment that turned in from a joyful creator into someone fearful of the judgement of others?

Let’s return to the happy and expressive feelings. Let’s be makers. Let’s lift ourselves up and try new things to discover and rediscover what lights us up. We can make absolutely anything that we want. People will always judge. Let’s make it anyway.