Be Like Al

Every artist needs a champion - my first came in the form of a long-haired, pierced, and tattooed biker who inexplicably resembles Robert De Niro at times. When I'm explaining him to people who don't know him, I simply refer to him as "my Al," and I wish everyone could have an Al. He and my mother were together from the time I was 12-16 years old, but he has remained a consistent presence in my life outside of their relationship. He is a tattoo artist by trade, but is multi-passionate in many creative areas. He has modeled what it looks like to have ideas, believe in yourself, and go for it.

Every time I've voiced the slightest interest in a creative pursuit, Al has shown up and supported it in tangible ways. I used to hang at the tattoo shop with him and would stretch out on the floor and draw his flash (the designs people would sometimes thumb through if they wanted a tattoo but didn't have a custom idea). He installed a light table in our living room so that I could practice tracing, and he gave me a tattoo gun banded to a pen to begin strengthening my hand in case I wanted to follow in his steps and become a tattoo artist. He bought me sketchbooks and pencils and marveled over my drawings of our pet iguana. At 14, I expressed interest in learning to play piano, and he surprised me with a keyboard. At 23, I expressed interest in learning to play guitar and he has since surprised me with two different acoustics and an amp. The last time I visited him in Florida, I became enamored with his technical pencils (I should have known better!), and within a week of returning home, he had shipped a set of them to me. These gifts have come with no pressure, no strings attached. He just wants me to follow any dreams that come my way before I can talk myself out of them.

Just this week, I got a notification in my email that I'd received my first purchase through my website. Sure enough, Al bought one of my paintings. I was surprised and delighted by the one he chose - "Edify," a mixed media abstract with cone flowers and a bee. When I called him to thank him, he also commissioned another piece from me, which I am of course honored and delighted to do, even though I don't technically take commissions yet. But he is a safe person and there isn't even the slightest hint of worry that he won't like it. He's my Al and I know he'll be proud regardless.

"Edify"

My purpose in sharing all of this, more than just to write an appreciation post of Al, is to urge you to be a cheerleader for the artists in your life. Thinking back on all the ways he has encouraged me, I've realized how rare and essential it is to have someone in your corner when you're just starting out as an artist. Every creative soul deserves that kind of support. That doesn't mean you have to shower them with gifts - that's just one of Al's love languages. But encourage them! Look at their work and tell them at least one thing you like about it. Tell them to keep going. You don't ever need to worry about trying to be a realist with them and caution them in all the ways they can fail. Trust me, we know. May I also suggest that you not give them unsolicited feedback, especially if you aren't an artist in the same field that they're pursuing? Unless, they ask for it, negative feedback can be damaging to someone who is just starting out or trying something new. The more an artist is encouraged, the more their confidence will increase, and the more they'll work, so they'll continue to grow in skill, which inevitably will make their art better. Be like Al. Be a champion of their creative self-worth.

If you have always wanted to try something creative, but you like to say things like "I can't even draw a stick figure," or "I don't have a creative bone in my body," let me tell you, you have it in you. If the urge is there, nurture it. No matter how old you are, no matter your skill level, simply start somewhere. There are no rules, and no bounds. Your soul will thank you and the world will be better off.

Do you have an Al in your life? Or have you ever been one for someone else?