Happy thoughts to my friends up north...

My friend Rolo convinced me to go to Color Me Mine this evening. I had seen the store before but I always thought it was a little odd of a concept -- you have to do the work yourself to design and paint pottery AND you have to PAY to do that? But since I do love Rolo I decided to go for it. I picked a rice bowl -- seemed less intimidating than other things. I was just afraid that I wouldn't be creative enough or good enough to be able to create a pretty bowl. I still don't know if I am or if I can. But I am going to try. I used to love to do art when I was a little kid. My mom worked at the Arts Center in South Bend, Indiana and I got to take free (or maybe just cheap) art classes. In the summer I took ceramics and photography. I might have even done painting or drawing once as well. I loved the ceramics class -- playing with clay with my hands, getting all muddy with the pottery wheel... I made this ceramic cat that I painted to look like the cat that I had as a kid. My parents still have that masterpiece! I loved doing arts and crafts. Then in 7th grade or was it 8th at Holy Innocents Catholic School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin I had an evil art teacher. I think her name was Mrs. Barnowski. She was just mean. I remember she had us do an "abstract" piece and she gave me an F (an F!!!) because my work wasn't balanced right. I was traumatized. When I got to High School a new art teacher arrived (maybe named Tim?) and everyone said he was way cool. I had sworn off art classes after that Holy Innocents experience and even though people loved the art teacher I was afraid. I decided I simply sucked at art and it just wasn't going to happen.

Well -- I still am worried that my piece from Color Me Mine is going to be less-than-perfect. But I am trying to understand that this doesn't really matter. The process is the point. And, painting the bowl was actually fun. I have to just let go of my crap and get into it. I can see where that chain of stores is kind of therapeutic. I am glad Rolo wouldn't let me just sit there and watch him paint the plate he has been working on. He obligated me to do my own project. And I am grateful. Rolo is typically so calm - I'm amazed he wants to spend time with someone as neurotic as I.