guest post - lori plyler

As a child, these words were constantly drilled instilled into my growing mind.

My parents saw in me a desire to be creative when I was very young. While other girls were content to use Barbie's pretty wardrobe, and much to my poor mother's frustration, I used aluminum foil by the roll to create sparkling evening gowns for my beloved dolls. I distinctly remember other times using scrap fabric and glue – not one of Barbie’s better moments.

“Use your gift.”

As a child, I spent hours copying comics, "writing" calligraphy (because I was left handed and couldn't be taught properly), learning to sew, learning to paint through art lessons every Saturday morning… because I wanted to.

“Use your gift.”

After majoring in fine art, I learned the true meaning of "starving artist", working in graphics (when cut and paste was, literally, cut and paste), as a portrait artist, and even stressing over architectural renderings when some poor soul was desperate enough to pay me. Even though these jobs helped to pay the bills, I found no joy or creativity in the work.

“Use your gift.”

I've created in some way, shape or form throughout my entire life, experiencing art as both a job and a passion. Only as an adult did I learn to appreciate the gift of those early words from my parents as well as their gift of allowing and encouraging the burgeoning need for a child to create.

jewelry

handbags and accessories

photography

and most recently

art for art's sake.

…because I want to.

Thanks Mom and Dad.

(And thanks to Love My Art Jewelry for allowing me to share a little of my life!)

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Lori can be found:

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blog

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