I Got a Pencil

There are a few things in life I consider to be part of me, even if at this specific moment I may not be actively practicing them. For instance, I consider myself American, but I live in France. I consider myself a “horse person”, even though I have not ridden in about a year. And I consider myself an artist, even though I had to sell all my paint, charcoal and other art supplies before I moved abroad the first time.

While I hold these qualities very close to my identity, there are moments in life when I look up and have to ask myself, have I lost them? It seems natural that some things take a back seat during various periods in life, but sometimes you have to stand up, take note and take action! I won’t be one of those people, who mournfully look back over the years, recounting the lost opportunities and wasted time. I think that’s clear from my early twenties (leaving the farm for NYC, living in Italy, LA, becoming a professional motorcycle freestyle rider, starting a business on a passionate whim, moving to Europe, etc) but, still, I need to keep track of what makes me happy in life.

So I got a pencil. I decided it had been too long since I had created something, with my hands, so I went down to the tiny store, in our tiny village and bought a pencil. Nothing fancy, but it’s a start. I had not drawn in a few years, so I sat down and drew these two pieces. They are nothing to write home about, but I feel I have reconnected with a long-lost friend and I have put my Nike 6.0-clad-foot down and declared I will draw one thing – SOMETHING every day.

I am Leah: artist, equestrian, American, stunter…who are you?