“To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage.” — Georgia O’Keeffe

I grew up in a world full of makers.

My great grandfather, with whom I shared a birthday, was an artist. And I was lucky enough to grow up with him. I remember particularly, as a 7- or 8-year-old child, feeling so special, as he drew beautiful Daliesque pictures of me in my ballet costumes. His creations were timeless treasures for me.

My mother has always been the best maker around. She’s so creative and anything she does with her hands always comes out so beautifully. I literally used to give her my perspective drawings and art projects to fix when they were assigned, as she was so much more skilled. I loved watching her cook and create. She amazed me.

My aunt created scents and was a professional nose. Her creative process was different, as well, and so captivating to observe.

Looking back, I was drawn to makers as I felt like I wasn’t one myself. I wasn’t the best at those kinds of things, but, years later, I realized that my creations came to life in my mind. I had visions of how things should look or be, and it took me a long time to get to a point where I was really creating in my way and understanding what that meant.

Now, I have the privilege of working with amazing, skilled people to create Live The Process product and facilitate this vision. But the concept of the maker has always remained special, as so much as love and imagination is put into everything an artist creates. For this month, it was important to me to showcase a variety of different makers, who could walk us through their process. Because, I think, what they offer the world is a kind of tangible magic—and they get to do it for a living.

The creative process can be such an important and inspiring outlet in times of challenge and even monotony. And the act of making and of enjoying the spoils of what makers manifest can be one of the truest acts of self-love.

x Robyn

Image Via Stefano Giacomello