SLR Curated

I’ve been passionate about art my whole life, but always from a distance. I grew up believing “artist” was a special designation for those with innate and obvious gifts, a kind of exclusive club in which I wasn’t a member. But years ago, a voice inside began to speak up, egging me on to explore my own creativity. So, I cautiously stepped outside of my comfort zone. As time went on, that little voice grew louder and more confident—and it continues to beckon me along the path of art and creativity. I’ve now come to believe (with the encouragement of friends in creative fields) that there is an artist inside each of us, waiting to get out. Sometimes the call to creativity may come at an inconvenient time, or it may shake us from a complacent slumber—but it’s always true.

Of course, there’s that other  voice, you know the one. The inner critic, the doubter, the persistent eye-roller. I battle this one daily, as we all do. But as I find my own footing and identity in art, I am emboldened and inspired by those who are following their artistic passions with conviction. 

I launched SLR Curated as a platform to showcase the talents and creations of local Northwest artists.  These are not artists you will find in a gallery or perhaps not even on website, yet.  They are busy creating, following their own inner shout, but also busy doing other things; being students, being moms and dads, being builders, musicians, teachers. SLR Curated houses their work so we can all appreciate the beauty and take time to dream and perhaps one day find our own inner artist.  I know I am working on that, encouraging myself to take an artsy pic, attend a welding class, sit down, slow down and pull out the paints.  But until then, I present to you those that have taken it one step further.  

Take a look and dream a little…and maybe even one day purchase a little!