…that draws the life that we all live.”
I must go to bed. It’s almost 1 a.m. and I have a packed-full day prepping for my sister and nephew’s arrival (weeeeeee!!!). But, to help me sleep better I had to get my dose of inspiration. Mackenzie Thorpe. He’s the type of artist … maybe the only one … that makes me consider selling my husband for a piece of his work.
His story is an inspiration in itself … a boy stricken with dyslexia that refused to let it hinder his impact on this world. He was different, oftentimes insecure, but he explored the depths within that made him just who he is. He searched for what made him free and he continued on. He discovered in himself a gift that left the world flowing freely from his fingers. To the outside, all that was seen were results that proved to be much different then the “common” artist. And, therefore his natural abilities were encouraged. Encouraged to remain a hobby. “Real” work needed to be done. But, still a burning desire to be formally trained was there. Yet again, he found himself without the necessary resources to obtain it. Obstacle #101. At this point majority of us would see it as it was. A closed door. Real work had to be done. Bills paid. A future sown. No time to run after meaningless passions. Fortunately for us Mackenzie Thorpe pressed on. He eventually obtained a free spot at an art school in Middlesborough, UK to only find himself two short years later at a prestigious art school in the heart of London. And, today his story and work live on to inspire us all. This man discovered just what was made for him to do and he didn’t hesitate to live it with the rest of us … to paint the world just as he saw it … people with giant heads, square sheep, simple figures on ledges, remainder of the canvas left untouched.
I wonder what this world would look like if we all did the same thing. You know…found the thing that made us different – the thing that we were made to do. The one thing that makes are hearts true.
I know I’m trying my darndest to do that very thing today, tomorrow and every day after. It’s not always easy, but I look to the future and know that when I look back on these days I want to see my work as real and honest and me. I might not be anywhere close to where I hope to some day be, but today I can say that I’m being true to my heart.
Tonight, I wish the same for you…
… An artist whose own life tells us that old frail dreams can become goals that are worth nurturing and working towards, that love and honesty can and will triumph over adversity. Here is an artist who draws and paints about the life that we all live. [from the Mackenzie Thorpe website; Mackenzie's bio]
