You Don't Have to be an Artist to Make Art

If you’ve ever been invited to an art class or painting party and your first response was, “I can only draw stick people,” you’re not alone.I hear it all the time—often followed by, “I haven’t done art since grade school,” or “This could get ugly.” (It usually doesn’t.)

Somewhere along the way, many of us decided creativity was something you either had or didn’t have. But the truth is simple: EVERYONE has a creative bone in their body. Sometimes it helps to stop calling it art and think of it as creating. When you cook without a recipe, decorate your home, solve problems, or figure out how to juggle life—you’re creating. Deep down inside, you can create.

I believe we are all artists, in some form or another. Making art just gives that creative side permission to come out and play—and often, it surprises you. Another common roadblock is fear. Fear of making a mistake or doing something “wrong.” Here’s the thing: mistakes are how people learn.Everyone makes them. Even me. Art isn’t about perfection; it’s about process, discovery, and sometimes happy accidents.

At Harris Art Studio a quote by Henry Ford says - “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” It’s a reminder of how powerful mindset can be. If you decide you can’t before you try, you’ve already chosen the outcome. My personal quote: if you say you can’t do something, but you’ve never tried—how do you know?

It makes me so happy when someone holds up their artwork and says, “Look what I made at Harris Art Studio!” I still say that to myself when I finish a piece of art – well I take out the Harris Art Studio part and just say “look what I made!” The smiles, the surprise, the pride—that’s why I keep teaching. It never gets old.

So, if you’re hesitating because you “can’t draw,” or afraid of messing up, consider this your invitation.You don’t have to be an artist to make art—just show up, be willing to try and I’ll be there for you.

Kyle