What do you want to be when you grow up?

What are your goals and strengths and interests and values?

What color is your parachute? 

What is your PASSION?

 

At some point in your life, a well-meaning career counselor may have asked you these questions. At some point in my life, I was that well-meaning career counselor. I spent many years pursuing multiple degrees in psychology and counseling, and even more years providing guidance and encouragement to others as they pursued their professional goals. As the years slipped by, I eventually began to ask the same questions of myself, and I’m now doing my best to pay attention to the answers.

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I value independence, inspiration, and appreciation. My passions are art, creativity, and education. And my parachute? Hmmmm… mostly ultramarine blue, yellow ochre, and burnt sienna, with hints of naphthol red.

 

My self-reflection led to the decision that art needed a more prominent place in my life. I have always dabbled with graphite and charcoal in my sketchbook, and I was a pro at starting new, creative hobbies (finishing was another matter, as evidenced by the single, lonely mitten I once knit). However, I knew it was time for a more focused and dedicated approach. I enrolled in an introductory drawing class at the local community college. This was soon followed by figure drawing, 2D design, and art history. Now, several years later, I have taken almost every studio art class offered at the college.

 

I suppose my new career title could simply be: Christi Seidman, Perpetual Art Student. 

 

I might never receive an actual degree in art, especially if they make me take general education classes like algebra and composition again. I’ve done all that before and have no intention of doing it again. I will, however, continue to seek out every possible opportunity for learning about art history, styles, techniques, and mediums. I will learn in the classroom, and from books and videos. I will learn in the community alongside my artist colleagues. Finally, I will learn by doing and trying, making mistakes, and celebrating every success along the way.

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