It's Official

I've just done something I never thought I'd do.  Well, that's an exaggeration: I knew I would do it someday, but I was expecting it months and months, maybe even years, from now.  This might be one of those areas where low expectations are best, for you can then exceed them so much quicker.  Anyway, what is the glorious thing of which I speak?

I'm officially an artist.

Let me explain: my sister invited her friend over to the house, and for some reason they found there way near me and spied my latest creation, Mr Lion.  My sister's friend was very impressed.  "Wow, you drew that?"  Yes.  "That's really good.  That's really, really good."  Turning toward my sister, she says, "I never knew your brother was an artist."

Me.  An artist.  Really good.  An artist.  An ARTIST!!

I have never used that word for myself.  Search this blog, you won't find it.  I'm a trainee, developing a skill.  I do art, I practice art, but I'm not an artist yet.  Now, I'm a trained philosopher, she's a 12-year-old girl.  I probably stress exact meaning and definitions with my words more than she does.  Still, not once in my life has anyone called me an artist.  This is literally a first.

How did I celebrate?  When I came down from my joyous state, I headed over to my account on deviantart.  I'm not sure why I'm linking it, as 98% of my audience comes form there... Anyway, I went there, loaded my profile and checked the box asking 'Are you an artist?'  Boom, just like that, I consider myself an artist.

Perhaps this means nothing to you.  Again, most of the world uses words rather haphazardly.  There are people who throw paint at the sides of buildings and call themselves artists.  For most people, it's not a big deal.  For me, it's a cosmic paradigm shift.  At least one person has seen my lines on paper and deemed me worthy of the title 'artist'.  I'm no longer an outside trying to break into a creative realm.  I've been admitted into the club, so to speak.  I am an artist.

As a comparison, think back to the first time in public school called you cool (or awesome or radical or whatever the buzzword happened to be).  Do you remember that incredible feeling of acceptance, of things finally going your way?  I feel like that, only better, and bigger.  It's as if a whole medium has accepted me.  "Okay, JoeZoo, you've paid your dues.  Welcome aboard."

Confidence is everything, and my confidence has never been higher than when a young girl I don't even know said something she may not even remember.  I can't wait to see what I produce now.  Never underestimate the power of a kind word.