I believe in many things and it was hard to decide on one, then, I thought about my art; my writing; my music. I was always told I had a creative mind, so I put that to use. Though, I never took art lessons—I am self-taught. The feeling of my charcoal pencil creating friction across the white canvas is wonderful to me—I felt ecstatic; happy. My fingers glided over the lettered keys, creating words, stories. All the while, my favorite bands blast their music for me, giving me inspiration. Put simply: I believe in The Arts.
I believe The Arts is like a law, or a code of rights. It gives you the freedom to express yourself, to be different and unique. It gives you the right to speak your mind and feelings without being judged or critiqued. To share knowledge, technique, and experiences thru picture, word, and beat.
Creativity, originality, and expression are big parts of The Arts. The Arts are very accepting and positive—there is no “ugly” or “wrong way” to art. Merely artists who haven’t connected with their canvas; those who haven’t fully grasped that writing comes from the heart, those who haven’t let the beat and heart fall into unison. Even those who sacrifice good literature for poetic rhyme are not wrong.
I believe pictures, songs, and poems can say more than a thousand words. If you open your mind to new things and listen hard, you can hear the deep, thorough meaning within. When I was younger—not by too many years—I was always doodling tiny pictures while I listened to ZZ Top singing from the speakers of my mom’s van. She would always look at me, the rear view mirror reflecting her cheery face. And she’d always ask, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
A hyperactive reply would always come after, “I want to be an artist! I want to share my drawings with the world.” At school, I would get in trouble for drawing during lessons, lectures, and important announcements. This also included everything I found dull. This earned me a few marks and an F every now and then—but that was hardly enough to stop me. The Arts have gotten me through tough times—my brother being injured, my parents fighting, and issues with friends.
My taste in music changed over the years—from Rascal Flats to System of a Down—but I still listen to my favorites such as ZZ Top, Def Leppard, and Metallica. My parents didn’t quite approve of my new preference in music, but they continue to support me as I practice the clarinet, drums, and electric guitar. Even at school my love for music is pleased. I spend every second I am not drawing or writing listening to music. It inspires me and gives me new ideas, which is the way I like it—a handful of stories buzzing through my head, progressing themselves further bit by bit—forming individual characters and scenes—along with a few poems or pictures I would like to get written on paper. I believe my love for The Arts will inevitably continue, never to halt. I believe it is my air; my sun; my other love.