Article published in International Reevaluation Counseling Communities, Creativity Journal
Author: Helga Marín 2018
up in Iceland my young life centered around art and creativity. I played the piano, drew pictures, painted paintings, knitted, crocheted and worked with clay. Art played such a central role in my life that I would spend most, if not all, of my free time creating something. My parents who were true art lovers encouraged this practice and complimented me on my many artistic efforts. At one point I dreamt of pursuing a career as an artist but, as I got older, I became increasingly aware of the messages in our culture that becoming an artist who could make a good living was rare and quite difficult. I therefore changed my career focus to becoming a health consultant and soon after I stopped both making art and playing the piano.
Thirty years passed and I did not attempt to make art during that time. My excuse was that I was too busy, but if I looked deeper I head a voice telling me that I was not skilled or artistic enough to make anything of value. I believe it is that voice that has kept me away from attempting to use my creativity fully.
It was only after meeting my husband 4 years ago that my thinking shifted. Watching him creating paintings, making movies and turning photographs into magical works of art inspired me to get back in touch with my own creativity. His encouragement and positive feedback has slowly turned down the volume of that negative inner voice that wanted me to believe that art was not for amateurs.
Today I am again spending most of my free time making art and I am slowly experimenting with different forms of art expanding my own artistic expression. I understand now what my husband means when he says that his life would be quite empty and unsatisfying if he could not make art. I have discovered that art is the purest language of the soul. It is our purest form of expression. It is our souls opportunity to shine through the many filters of the ego that block us from living our life to the fullest.
– Helga Marin Bergsteinsdóttir