Reclaiming the inner artist: My journey to painting an art car
I’ve always dreamed of owning an art car. For years, I admired them from a distance, thinking, “I wish I could do that…” But after spending the July 4th weekend with my friend Dorcey—one of the most inventive, wild, and creative people I know—I came home inspired and started painting my RV. It felt like breaking through a barrier, moving from “I wish I could…” to “I can!”
Embracing the Artist Within
One of the first things I painted was a flower on the RV’s hood. It’s a small start, but it feels monumental. For years, I struggled to claim the artist within me. I’ve never thought of myself as an artist because I lack formal training, techniques, or developed skills. Like many people, I had always defined an artist as someone who produces beautiful, polished work—something “good enough” to sell commercially.
But that definition is so limiting. We often label someone an artist only when we see a finished product—a sketch, a quilt, or a painting—and say, “Oh! You’re an artist!” Rarely do we think of art as a process that’s central to life itself.
Art as a Way of Being
Robert Henri begins his book The Art Spirit with this simple yet profound statement:
“Art…is the province of every human being. It is simply a question of doing things, anything, well. It is not an outside, extra thing.”
In other words, art happens when you care deeply about something. The artist Corita Kent echoes this sentiment in her book Learning by Heart:
“The root meaning of the word art is to fit together, and we all do this every day…Each time we fit things together, we are creating—whether it is to make a loaf of bread, a child, a day.”
When we approach life with care, curiosity, and feeling, we are all artists.
Beauty as a Path to Change
In recent years, many thinkers have emphasized the importance of beauty and aesthetics in shaping our future. Cosmologist Brian Swimme believes that “beauty is what is going to lead us to a new era of being human.” Business consultant Michael Jones argues that developing aesthetic consciousness is the next great work for leaders.
Our task, as humans, is to follow the things that inspire and ignite our creative passions. By doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to the transformation of the world around us.
Reclaiming Our Inner Artist
Painting my RV is more than a personal project—it’s a way of reclaiming the artist within me. It’s a reminder that art is not about perfection or mastery; it’s about showing up, creating, and finding joy in the process.
As I continue to paint, I’m learning that art doesn’t have to be confined to museums or judged by traditional standards. It’s something alive and accessible, waiting for each of us to embrace it.
So here’s my invitation: Let’s reclaim our inner artists, one creative act at a time.
It’s time to reclaim our inner artist.
