In 2010-2011, I was ready to give it all up. Everything I thought I was building was slowly falling down around me.
Imagine being in a house where the foundation collapses and the structure implodes, and you’re standing there in the center of it, alone… that’s what it felt like. Despite it all, I never gave up on my dream of being an artist.
In high school I was asked to give a quote to go alongside my photo in the year book. Not given much time to think, I stated, “I have a dream, and I will achieve it.” As an artist it’s hard to find inspiration when you’re being advised to give up on that dream, to find another career…a Plan B. I never developed a Plan B outside of the art industry. It’s like my mind is incapable of extending itself past that realm. I didn’t know what to do, where to go, or who to confide in. I only knew that this was something I had to go through and that things would get better eventually, the beautiful struggle.
I cut all my hair off, severed a few relationships, lost almost everything I had; everything that defined who I thought I was. In this struggle, I lost…AND found myself. I learned to value patience more than anything. I was recently asked via mywalkuncensored.com, “What do you do when you don’t hear His voice?” I answered, “I wait.”
So during 2010-2011, I waited. I waited for something miraculous to happen, but it didn’t happen right away, not until 2012.
I am an artist. I have an innate ability to create art. It’s beyond a blessing to get paid to do it, so my dream has become my reality. To put it simply, I have a strange life…the best things that have happened to me are things that have happened organically. They weren’t forced, anticipated, or contrived.
Never give up on your dream, despite the struggle you go through…it still has the potential to be beautiful.
Comments
5 responses to “The “Beautiful Struggle” of artist Keturah Ariel”
You are awesome!!!!!
Please email me – I would love for you to illustrate my children’s story.
I have emailed, Facebooked, and now this LOL. I know the universe will take care of the rest as always (smile). The story is precious – your imagery would fit wonderfully.
Thank you!!
Jonelle
I will make sure to reach out to Keturah so she sees this post 🙂
Keturah, your work shall be nationally known. You can work with all kinds of media, and have versatility. You have more inside of you than you actually know. When my Mother, Delores, sent me the link to your artwork, girl…. I HAD TO CATCH MY BREATH! Awesome, young sister, awesome!!!
Go ‘head with yo’ baaaaaaaaaaddddd Pat-n-Cora-lookin’ self, lol…
You are talented and beautiful and the sister got some sense!!! Praise God for that! Your work makes me smile and I need those smiles, Sister!!
Thank you, Jesus for KETURH and the works of her hands!!!
Keep The Gift stirred up, continue to surprise the world. Your work will be very well known. Yes indeedy!
A Fan,
Denise
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can i have a cartoon picture of myself