The Modern Renaissance (Wo)man

I’ve never felt like I fit into just one box. I’m an artist, yes—but I’m also someone who loves gardening, reading, traveling, camping, and trying new things. I used to run regularly before knee surgery sidelined me, and I’m slowly working toward getting back into yoga and movement. I’ve gone whitewater rafting, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), and I absolutely love being outdoors.

I enjoy going to training classes with my dog and learning how to work together as a team. I’ve tried everything from horseback riding in my 30s to photography, textile arts, cooking and baking, and a wide range of creative mediums—watercolor, pottery, drawing, black-and-white photography, acrylic, even lithography. My curiosity is constantly expanding, and I’ve always been someone whose interests grow and shift over time.

For a long time, I honestly thought that meant I wasn’t a “serious” artist. I felt like if I wasn’t waking up every day wanting to paint 24/7, maybe I wasn’t doing it right. I had this internal pressure—like being a “real” artist meant art had to be your only love, your only obsession.

And then one day, I shared that doubt with my art advisor, and she said, “But that’s exactly what a Renaissance person is.”

And something in me just clicked. ✨

I’d grown up learning about the Renaissance period, but I’d never thought to compare myself to the people of that era—those multi-passionate creatives who weren’t just painters or sculptors but thinkers, inventors, explorers. They were curious and engaged in many parts of life. Her comparison was incredibly enlightening and honestly validating. It helped me realize that my wide range of interests isn’t a weakness—it’s part of my artistic strength.

I don’t think I could paint every day, not because I don’t love it, but because I have so many other passions that fuel and inspire my art. That’s what makes my practice mine. My experiences, my healing journey, my connection to nature, movement, food, animals, and the world around me—all of that informs the colors I choose, the textures I create, and the emotion I pour into my work.

Her perspective reminded me that I don’t have to box myself in to be considered a real artist. Each artist brings something uniquely their own to the table—through their lived experiences, their perspective, and their passions. And all of that is what gives their work meaning.

So maybe I am a modern-day Renaissance (wo)man—not because I set out to be one, but because I’ve always been one. 🌿🎨✨

Have you ever felt this way? Comment below I’d love to hear!