Chapter 1
In the Beginning was Creativity
As a child I loved being creative and exploring nature through the arts and creative play around my childhood home which sat at the end of a deadend street alongside a creek and woods. I painted, drew, made crafts, played piano, danced, and wrote poetry. I built castles in the sand box, waded in the creek, hiked in the woods, and helped with the family garden.
I experienced the wonder and power of thunderstorms, rainbows, windstorms, snow and ice storms, and ocean waves. I also enjoyed swimming, playing baseball and tennis. I learned about the world of work by babysitting, working part-time at a catering service, being a candystriper volunteer at a local hospital and picking cherries to earn my first tennis racket.
I experienced the common childhood and adolescent health issues and challenges. There were traumatic events like physical falls injuring my head and back, wisdom tooth extractions overstretching my jaw’s temper mandibular joint, braces on my teeth, and surgical removal of my tonsils.
As with many of us, there were the typical challenges of learning to socialize with others and deal with conflicts, problem solving and difficult emotions. I remember early on how frustrating it felt trying to join in conversations and interactions when others talked aggressively and loudly without really listening. I do not remember there being much help or guidance for dealing with emotions like anger, sadness or anxiety. One of my most helpful tools was playing piano because it allowed me to connect with my emotions and express and release emotional energy.
As a child I was a black-eyed Susan once in third grade. It happened when I listened to a friend instead of my true self. She led us along a dangerous path on the ice as we were skating on the creek behind our homes. I did not heed the protective little voice inside me. I kept on following, fell on the ice, and received a black eye and stitches. I had learned how to be a follower, to sacrifice my own needs for the needs and wants of others, and to be a people pleaser. I did not learn about keeping a healthy balance between loving myself and loving others. I did not prioritize listening to and trusting the voice of my true self. Instead I tended to listen to others with fear of their rejecting or criticizing me and losing their approval.
It was a protected environment on our street with some room for exploration. There was not much diversity in our neighborhood or schools growing up. As a teenager, one of my adventures was to climb to the tops of trees and sway in the wind. It was a place I listened and felt in communion with nature and our Creator. It was a like meditation retreat for me, as well as, a place to escape when overwhelmed by problems and difficult emotions.
Innocence Unfolding pencil/charcoal drawing
After high school I ventured to a liberal arts college to study fine arts. I submitted this charcoal and pencil drawing entitled Innocence Unfolding as part of my college applications. I did not get accepted into my first choice and started out at a small college in my home state of Ohio. However, I was glad when my first choice Westminster College in Pennsylvania offered me admission at the end of the first semester and I transferred. I found out that Innocence Unfolding won first place in the Westminster student exhibit. I felt more connected to nature there, loved walking the beautiful campus, painting the rolling green hills and digging clay from the ground to make ceramic pots and sculptures.
I continued playing piano when at home during breaks from college. While at college I began listening to music, especially to relax while doing homework and studying for tests. I did not continue my adventure of tree climbing. Instead I explored nature through a white water rafting experience and study trips abroad in Israel, Jordan, Greece and Italy.
There was more diversity in my college experience than I had in my hometown. I was more challenged in my socialization. It was fun playing on my college tennis team and I had a variety of interesting friends.
Susan in center of first row with her tennis team
The professors challenged my mind, but were also interested in what I was thinking. My learning was greatly expanded in many areas of study. I realized how sheltered I had been from the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s. Perhaps my innocence was being challenged and unfolding. I was encouraged to think for myself and began thinking outside of the box I had been conditioned to see myself. As a result, my creativity blossomed as I was earning my bachelor’s in fine arts. More importantly, I grew as a person mentally, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.
Continue to Chapter 2: Discovering Art is Healing