I Don't Know My Own Creativity
Me and Creativity, we need to get in touch again. Not for the intensely good times we have in my art room, or any room for that matter, but for a little tete-a-tete. Oh, it's not like he's busy in a dashing suit and Kenneth Cole black wingtips, sipping a coffee requiring at least ten words to order from a local Starbucks and chatting up old buddies. He doesn't have two tickets to the Broadway musical Hairspray, however much I might like him to have. He is, however, holding my hands and gently pointing out that Yes, you are an artist, but that I don't need validation to prove it. Reaffirmation, though, is such an addicting thing, just not always loving.
I recently participated in a contest and swap for a company called Artchix Studio (artchixstudio.com), where I submitted six 3" x 3" pieces of artwork with the caveat being they had to include an Artchix faux post image. They called them Itty Bitties. What I recently found out is that the black and white image with silver trim (dare I say, the easiest piece I did?) was chosen as one of the top entries, and is on a limited run for sale. My own photo of the six entries is included here (zine participants, peek at your own risk):
http://artellacafe.com/photos/copper_cat_gallery/picture11332.aspx
No monies received, and a brief name recognition if you scan the "About the Artist" pages. But boy oh boy, it's there: The Chixies Delight Collage Sheet Collection. Whew! I think I can breathe and do a little dance now! 
Now, as to my friend, Creativity, he always shows up for our meetings, even if I don't. Turns out he wears the most comfortable loafers a guy could possibly wear, with a pair of workboots raring to go. Or, he'll even opt for barefoot through the grass to take photos. Point is, I didn't consciously recognize that; didn't outright think we had the where-with-all as a team to accomplish Itty Bitties, inchies, or even zines after almost two decades of nada mucho. I just didn't know my own Creativity until recently.