Finally, I've discovered that I have a lot in common with an "old" friends with whom I've recently reconnected after many, many years. She is creative and enthusiastic, sharing many of my interests and aspirations for things yet to be tried. I guess I hadn't realized how much I longed to have a friend with whom I could share ideas about painting, grout or wire and who would get it! While this reestablished friendship is long distance, I'm thrilled to have someone with whom to swap stories and ideas. That alone inspires me to get to work.
Years ago a friend of mine that appreciated real craft, real art, confessed (in a joking manner) that she auditioned friends for their artistic talent. When I pushed a little for clarity, I realized that there was some truth behind her joke as evidenced by the wide array of beautiful artwork found in every room of her house. There was the beautiful handpainted (by a friend) rocking chair on the front porch, the stunning paper party hats (created by a friend) for her daughter's birthday party, the fantastic pillows created using hand-carved wooden blocks, the design completed by hand painting (by a friend), to name just a few objects. I felt privileged to be a part of the gang and enjoyed meeting her artist friends. I wished then and still that I had even a smidgen of their talent. I wish that I could spend time with people that are so inspiring. Where are they????
This friend and I have since lost touch, and she now lives quite a distance away. I miss her and her family very much. I no longer have any connection to those artsy friends of hers whose mere presence inspired me. My own friendships have developed through work and my children's schools. While we clearly have some things in common, how can it be that not one of them shares an interest in art with me?
So I will relish this rekindled friendship both for our shared past, and for our current shared interests. I will make the effort to broaden my own artistic horizons and hopefully expand that circle of artistic and creative friends.
