When The Passionate Create

That includes you.

About the above image… I hesitated to share this picture of me from after a day of paddling around our Lake, but it just feels so raw and real and US. I want to be raw and real and US. So there is the (fabulous) NA beer we drink, with the (phenomenal) kayak/ paddle board brand we love, but there is also Me goofing around, being real. Christian and I have fun, that’s what we do. We have this beautiful life together because we know how to laugh. Sometimes teamwork requires loads of laughs.. just sayin’.

Recently, I have had the privileged of observing an extraordinary amount of creativity. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m married to a world-class photographer who happens to be crazy creative on a minute-by-minute basis. But lately, I have been inspired by all of the day-to-day creativity I see expressed.

There are many photographers, similar to mine, who are constantly looking at the world through a lens. They see the lighting that could make or break a shot. They see an angle that would allow for a depth of field that takes your breath away.

I have a friend (shout out to Beth Hauff – image used with permission 🙂 ) who has a painting technique with Alcohol Ink that stuns me every time I see it. She feels like creating and comes back with a masterpiece like this one:

We recently purchased a work truck for the camper set-up. This vehicle happened to come with dents that needed to be repaired. Luckily, Christian knew of this guy (Duluth Dent Repair). Yeah, so for real, check out their promo video. I can’t say removing dents in vehicles is what gets me up in the morning. Honestly, I didn’t know this was even a thing. But for Passion! Seriously, removing dents is a very real art. It requires a specific skill set and passion, and These Guys Have Passion. There are people like this in the world!!

Occasionally in Christians work, we meet contractors and architects. Designing and executing construction of a bridge is, again, not something I feel particularly passionate about. But I’m here to tell you, there are people who live for this! And being around these people, hearing what makes this or that bridge unique, even the specialty equipment needed for construction and how insanely specific and flawless everything needs to be, is art!

I don’t connect emotionally to the bridge or the removed dents, I don’t feel excited by oil vs. acrylic paint; and I really don’t have an opinion about Nikon vs. Sony vs. Canon or whatever. BUT, I totally get the passion these creative minds have. And it makes me so excited to know there are bridges being built by people who Care, there are dents being removed by people who Love their work. There are paintings and images and pictures created by people who live and breathe their art.

I feel so incredibly privileged to be around these creatives, these extraordinary artists. And, I’m sad to say, sometimes that leaves me feeling less-than artistic. Now, this isn’t a down-on-me type of post. I think many of us can trick ourselves into viewing art and artists like they’re-so-creative-look-at-me-just-sitting-here-in-my-pajamas-drinking-coffee-not-doing-anything-remotely-creative-or-cool. I will just never feel for a camera or lens the way Christian and his photog buddies do. I just can’t, believe me I’ve tried. I have tried online photography courses, asking the photogs to explain “the words.” And I’m so sorry, I don’t care how many times you explain what “ISO” means, it’s just not sticking in my brain. I love you, photogs for understanding the difference between a 35mm lens and a 200.. if that’s even a thing. But, I know I can be creative when the mood hits. I’m also extremely traditional in my interests, I love baking bread that makes your mouth water. I love sewing projects, lace-making, cooking a flavorful meal and I (sometimes) love to write. I’d venture to guess that we are all crazy creatives, but we can lock ourselves in a cycle of comparing.

I don’t know about you, but I feel inspired by people doing their thing. It makes me want to do my thing. We all are creative in our own unique way. The only thing that separates our individual talents, is the passion with which we create. (insert Sunday School song about letting our little light shine).

I love my Photographer Husband more than I thought possible, he continues to demonstrate dedication and creativity on a daily basis. Even he can lose sight of the end goal sometimes – you just gotta create, man! Just do your thing! Seasons come and go, the world rotates around the sun, one day is not like the next, so go crush it. Doing the things we care about changes the world when we allow ourselves to be passionate. It’s not wrong to get excited about trying a new recipe or setting up a floral arrangement. My mom’s hair-stylist is going about her work, with a mask stifling her breathing because she loves her job. So go cut hair with passion. Bake, dance, sing, crunch numbers.. with the passion that only you can bring.

I love the days when Christian gets ready to go swimming and says, “There isn’t much for light or color or waves, but I think I want to try to get something.” Yes! Then he comes home with everyday images like this:

Uh huh.

It’s a cool lesson. Every Day Life + Your Passionate Creativity = Awesome.

If you’re feeling a little less-than passionate; set up an appointment to visit us at the Two Harbors Studio. Just hanging around a passionate artist and looking at their art can make a huge difference. If you don’t want to make the trek, check out a local art studio or better yet, take a walk in nature and just absorb the magic.

Wherever your travels take you, watch out for the deer. 😉