Yesterday marked World Art Day, an international celebration of the arts that falls on April 15 of each year: Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday. Da Vinci was chosen as the figurehead for this event by the International Association of Art (in partnership with UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]) because he remains a symbol of peace, freedom of expression, and the idea that creativity is a bridge that connects different fields of thought. As a multidisciplinary creative, I couldn’t agree more.
As a kid, I used to love coloring in my coloring books with my brothers or doing arts and crafts projects with my parents. In school, I was always drawn to the less traditional classes like creative writing, home economics, culinary, wood shop, and of course—art. In the army, I would add little doodles to my letters back home and I kept a separate field notebook as a sketch book. Sure, maybe it was out of boredom then, but art was right where I gravitated to—something that felt familiar, no matter the context. I’ve always had an untapped artistic side that I never fully embraced until my spinal cord injury. It wasn’t until I lost the ability to use my hands that I came to appreciate what they were truly capable of.
If you have done any exploring in my blog, then you likely already know that I started using my iPad in the hospital to journal about my disability as a way to process grief. I quickly began incorporating silly sketches by using prosthetics that occupational therapist created to help me draw. That leads me to today, nine years later, a professional graphic designer, illustrator and cartoonist.
I am eternally grateful for the arts for helping me reclaim my purpose in life post-injury. At a time filled with so much grief and unknown, I once again fell on what was familiar to me. As a creative, I feel that we are called upon to foster autonomy and creativity in others. One of my key messages is that art is completely subjective, and that is the true beauty of it. There is no right or wrong way to create—we just have to start.
To celebrate World Art Day, I wanted to share a little tradition that I started with my niece and my nephew. Often times when they visit, I open up my iPad and help guide them through the process of digital art while granting them creative autonomy. Sure, they may not understand color theory or the robust user interface of the drawing app, but these kids certainly have strong creative intuition and holistic thinking. I love seeing their brains work. Witnessing their imaginations take hold is really cool. I relish being a tour guide for that.
Once we finish up a piece, I let them name the design and I mark it with the date. It would mean a lot if you would flip through our little portfolio, but it would mean even more if you would take a pause from the hustle and bustle and create something today.
Happy World Art Day!
