Although I’ve finally recovered from it, the damage done by my high school art teacher lasted years. She didn’t encourage or nurture my artistic enthusiasm, and I finished high school thinking that I had the artistic talent of a sock.
After high school, I focussed on performing arts, and went a long time without making any visual art at all. But my love of visual art never waned, and I soaked in as much of it as I could.
Eventually, I started making digital art. That suited me just fine for a long time. It felt more accessible to me — it fit in with my already-digital life, and there was no mess. Also, moving internationally is not exactly compatible with amassing a supply of art materials.
As the years went by, I took a few art classes. I learned about oil painting. The feeling of creating with these physical materials and my own hands was intoxicating.
So, I bought a few paints. I tried to only buy what I was going to use right away. But once I started, it was hard to stop. Pens! Paper! Paints! Canvases! A trip to Japan; an overflowing suitcase of washi tape and manga pens. An online urban sketching course; a tiny travel tin of watercolour pans. My newly-acquired IKEA rolling cart already overflowing.
These materials bring me so much joy. Even if I’m not using them right away, the power of the possibilities they hold is enough to make me lightheaded. I can make anything I want, for whatever artistic whim I have!
My latest acquisition is this amazing art set from the Ghibli Museum in Tokyo.
Unlike a lot of my supplies, it didn’t get rammed onto the cart. In fact, it didn’t have to wait long at all before it was cracked open and put to use. I hope to share the results soon…
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