I am a late bloomer when it comes to art.  I didn’t show any artistic promise when I was a child.  I didn’t even show much interest in art when I was a child.  However,  deep inside, I knew I would love to  be a portrait artist when I was about 8 or 9-years-old.  That might sound strange to many people.  However, when I look back now, I can understand why that’s the case.  First and for most, I was intimated by art.  I had the misconception that people were born with artistic talent and it was hopeless for people to pursue an art career if they didn’t have the talent.   At the time, many people had that misconception.  Even now, we are still surrounded by people who have the same misconception.  When I was a child, I didn’t think I had any artistic talent, so I gave up my dream even before trying.  I also grew up in an environment that didn’t give much attention to artistic expression.

Later in life, when I was at a cross road and needed to do some soul searching, I took an oil painting class.  It had a profound effect on me.  It made me realize how much I love to paint.  Suddenly, it didn’t matter to me whether I had any artistic talent or not.  I simply enjoy the painting process.  From that point on, I have been able to nurture my artistic expression and make noticeable progress along the way.   Sometimes I wonder if I could be a famous artist by now if I had started painting much sooner.  I surely could have enjoyed a more fulfilling life much sooner if I had  started painting sooner.

Now as the mother of a toddler, I want to make sure that my child has all the positive reinforcement needed to explore her interest and talent in art.  If she is passionate about art, I want her to discover and pursue that passion as early as possible.  I also hope other parents will provide an encouraging environment for their children’s artistic exploration.  Therefore, I set up this blog mainly to discuss what we can do as parents to nurture our children’s artistic talent and creativity.  Let’s get started in my next blog entry!!