Wisdom in Her Hands: How My Granny Shaped My Creative Journey

Growing up, I didn’t always realize how deeply my granny’s influence would shape me. She wasn’t an artist in the traditional sense, but everything she did—whether shaping delicate sand tart cookies, seasoning chicken with practiced hands, braiding hair with gentle precision, sharing the stories of her life, or arranging objects in her home with care—was infused with creativity, sentiment, and intention.

I remember sitting beside her, watching her hands move with quiet confidence, transforming simple materials into something beautiful. She taught me that creativity isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about resourcefulness, patience, and the ability to see beyond the expected.

Once, while we were making art together, her hand slipped, leaving a mark outside the area she intended. Instead of frustration, I saw a spark in her eyes. “Now this is starting to remind me of…” she mused, immediately reimagining what someone else might have seen as a mistake. In that moment, she turned an accident into an opportunity, expanding on an idea rather than covering it up. That lesson has stayed with me—art isn’t about perfection; it’s about adaptation, discovery, and allowing the unexpected to lead you somewhere new.

Being young and full of big ideas, I often want things to happen quickly, exactly as I envision them. But my granny’s influence reminds me that the most meaningful things take time. She taught me that art isn’t just about what you create—it’s about the love, grace, and openness you bring to the process. It’s a lesson that didn’t fully click when I was younger, but with time, I’ve come to understand its depth.

For showing me how to make art with whatever I have, wherever I am, and for teaching me to embrace the beauty in the unexpected, I’m endlessly grateful. She is one of my earliest and most important art teachers.