Today I have officially begun to live a dream as an artist and photographer. Since I was a small child, I remember hearing stories of how I drew on our little apartment wall in Akron, Ohio. It was a drawing of my family with a permanent marker at the tender age of three. Destiny was being engraved in my heart. It was at that moment my mother, a young woman, saw the "artist" in me. She even saw this when I did not have the courage to see it inside myself. "Kelly, what are you doing with your art?" was a frequent question asked since my graduation from college over a decade ago. "Mom, I don't have time for that. I have a meeting to prepare for, a sermon to preach..." and the list of excuses would proceed from there. However, my mom knew that an artist was still alive in me. But it would take me almost an entire decade before I would realize that I could not only preach with my mouth, but also with a paint brush, a camera or a pen. I no longer had to deny the creative person in me. It was an epiphany, a revelation. You know that moment when you wake up from a subtle slumber to realize that you've not been true to yourself or the ones you love. You've been merely surviving_trying to prove to you and everyone else that what you're living is a satisfying story. When in reality, you've neglected a large portion of your heart and on the inside, you're nothing but dead, dry bones waiting for the waterfall of your dreams to baptize you once again. Yes, waiting for a refreshing to bring that part of you back to life!...To feel the joy of a young child again full of life, creativity & hope. That's the feeling I get when I pick up my camera. Pure, utter JOY.
This has been a glimpse into my story and the motivation of my heart. Now, a big canvas awaits me called "Life" and I am ready to be a part of it all! I hope you are, too.
Sincerely Just...Kelly Craig
