Am becoming an artist

 After a lot of soul searching (and an unhealthy amount of procrastination), I have finally decided to pursue a long-held passion — art. Stop giggling you who know me!

 Yes, art! I know, I know. You’re probably wondering, “But weren’t you the kid who said that you  couldn’t draw a straight line with a ruler in school?” Yes, that was me. My so-called “artistic talents” were legendary... in the sense that they were utterly non-existent. I was and am still colour blind as well and that's not synonymous with art- but that's another story. 

In reality, my destiny took a surprising turn when I visited Europe a few years ago.  It was during that grand trip to the continent, where we gallivanted through an absurd number of art galleries only to avoid the crazy rainy weather. From the Louvre in Paris to the Uffizi in Florence, I marveled at the works of the masters — names like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh danced in front of my eyes like old friends. And that's when it hit me. Art wasn't just something to admire; it was something to create - and I was going to do the unthinkable - become an artist.

On my return, armed with nothing but a new sense of inspiration and a brush (and perhaps a few too many cups of tea), I decided to give it a shot. 

To my utter amazement, something magical happened — I painted my first piece. And then, I painted another. And another. And... okay, so I’ve only completed about eight pieces so far. 

But here’s the twist — every single person who has seen my art has insisted that I host an exhibition. 'An exhibition',   they said. “You have a gift,” they said. (Which is a bit of an exaggeration, but I’ll take it.)

So, here I am. My decision is made. I’m going for it.

Much against the advice of my wife,  I’ve bought paints, canvases, brushes, and the promise of an 'undiscovered talent'that might just need a little more practice in the coming months.

Now, let’s talk about my plan going forward.

 I’ve spent money and  stocked up on high-quality oil paints in vibrant hues, ranging from rich reds to calm blues. The canvases are ready, primed, and waiting for me to bring my “masterpieces” to life. A couple of easels are now scattered around my tiny ' studio' , creating a slightly more “artsy” ambiance than my previous collection of dusty books, guitars  and mismatched furniture. 

But the real question is — where do I get my inspiration from now? Sure, the great masters are fine and all, but I need something new, something fresh. 

Maybe I’ll be inspired by the calm of my morning tea or a walk around the lake  (which has been known to unleash a wave of creativity in me) -   or perhaps, my inspiration will come from the mishmash of everyday life — that half-empty glass of water, a  bowl of fruit  or Chanel , my cat, lounging in the sun. Truly, art is in the eye of the beholder, and I plan to behold as much as I can.

I am not into the human form so please don't rush forward to volunteer.

For now, I’m just excited to take this leap into the unknown. Eight pieces may be a humble start, but I’m ready to turn my living room into the next big art gallery. So, grab your wine and don your best attire because it’s time to admire  masterpieces that probably won’t make it to the Louvre, but will definitely bring a smile to your face.

And may I ask in all humility - ' any buyers'? 

No harm in day dreaming is there ? 

I rest my case.