Artists’ Origin Stories
Superheroes have origin stories; so do artists. Origin stories tell us how superheroes gain their powers and dedicate their lives to fighting crime. For artists, origin stories are descriptions of the moment, or series of moments, when someone realizes, “I need to make art” — and then does it.
Take, for example, this story from micro-sculptor Willard Wigan – but first, take a look at one of his sculptures:
One of Wigan's "micro-sculptures" features the Obama family standing in the eye of a needle
Now, the origin story:
“It began when I was five years old…I started making houses for ants because I thought they needed somewhere to live. Then I made them shoes and hats. It was a fantasy world I escaped to where my dyslexia didn’t hold me back and my teachers couldn’t criticise me. That’s how my career as a micro-sculptor began.”
And here’s photographer Sharon Montrose:
“From the moment I picked up a camera, it was my breath. I realized I was alive now.”
Of course, not all artists recognize their calling in a flash. Take me, for example: Even though theater and writing were my primary hobbies from the ages of about 5-18, I lost sight of these passions in college and afterward. In my effort to figure out my career, I assumed (as so many of us do) that I should focus on my cerebral, rather than creative, abilities. Then, in my mid 20s, I was absolutely miserable, and a series of events led me to exploring yoga for relaxation; at the yoga studio, I found a flier for a book group that was going to read The Artist’s Way. The rest is history.
It may sound dramatic, but looking back, I see a distinct “before” and “after” in relation to reading that book; maybe this is similar to the experience of being born again? I knew, suddenly, what I had known as a child, but forgotten as an adult: I was an artist.
When did you know you were an artist?
Related listening:
Image above by oceandesetoiles on Flickr
All my life I have sang (sung?), played in the band and performed in the show choir. I also designed many of my outfits in high school as well. I’ve always loved pushing the envelope or defying the status quo just because. It’s funny that my “now” life doesn’t resemble that at all. My creativity comes through my writing, but I don’t sing anymore, play any instruments, and most days I wear jeans and a t-shirt. I think that creativity manifests itself in different ways at different times in our lives; that true creativity is part of how we’re wired and how we see the world. I commend you for recognizing that maybe you were on the wrong path in your 20′s, when so many people don’t figure that out until much later into their careers. I taught for seven years hoping that I’d like it more each year, and while there are aspects I miss, overall, I’m thrilled I don’t teach anymore. And I don’t want to go back. Focusing on my writing is now the focus, which is probably where I should have always been. Oh well, better late than never!
interesting and inspiring post… made me think! i guess i was always creating something since i was a little kid. but when i first did a lettering work by hand in an art class when i was in junior high school, i loved it so much, i knew right then that i wanted to become a graphic artist!
Wow, Hijiri, sounds like you had a lightning bolt moment. That’s pretty awesome. I enjoyed so many artistic moments growing up, especially on stage. I always said “I want to be an actress when I grow up,” but somehow in my late teens I decided that was a pipe dream and started trying to figure out what kind of “real,” practical job I wanted to have. It took me a while to realize how much I needed performing in my life. Now that being on stage is back in my life, part of me wonders if I’m selling myself short by not pushing harder to make it the source of my income…even though I enjoy what I do, it’s by no means my “purpose,” the way that I think performing (and writing) are my purpose.