A Journey from Kindergarten Crafts to a Digital Dream: My Love for Creating Images
Introduction: My love for crafting goes way back—before computers, cell phones, or even the internet. It started in kindergarten with my teacher, Mrs. George, back in 1975. Mrs. George opened my world to the magic of creativity, and from that moment, I was hooked. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, my favorite classes were always those where I could work with my hands and show my creative side—art, woodshop, home economics. Each one let me dive into a different world of making, and those moments have stuck with me ever since. Fast forward to today, and I’m still creating—though now, the tools look a bit different!
From Crafts to Coding: Enter the Digital World When the internet age began, I didn’t hesitate to jump in. I remember discovering BlackPlanet, a space where I could connect with others who shared my interests. But it wasn’t just a place for connection; it’s where I first learned HTML and dove into digital graphics. BlackPlanet let me experiment with visuals, and I found myself spending hours customizing my page, learning how to bring my designs to life on screen.
Then, I stumbled upon Paint Shop Pro 5, and that was it—my creativity was officially unleashed in a whole new way. Paint Shop Pro became my gateway to digital images, and I was thrilled by the possibilities it opened. The same excitement I’d felt cutting, sewing, and painting as a kid came rushing back as I discovered a whole new world of digital art. Since then, I haven’t stopped creating, exploring, and expressing myself through graphics.
Celebrating Us Through Digital Art Now, here we are in 2024, and I’m thrilled to bring all that experience, passion, and love for creation into my next chapter: building an African American clipart site. I want this site to be a space designed by us, for us—a place to celebrate African American culture, beauty, and uniqueness through digital art. This isn’t just a business venture; it’s my way of creating representation, where we can see ourselves in vibrant, beautiful ways that truly reflect who we are.
Dreams in the Digital Age: Crafting with AI Today, I’m working with new tools like AI to help me bring this vision to life. Having platforms like ChatGPT allows me to brainstorm, draft, and create in ways that would’ve felt like science fiction back when I first started crafting with Mrs. George’s class. AI is just another tool in my creative toolkit, helping me reach a bigger goal of filling the digital space with artwork that celebrates us.
Conclusion: Creativity, Then and Now Crafting has always been part of who I am, and while the tools may have changed from construction paper to pixels, the drive to create remains the same. I’m proud to carry this passion from my early days into the present and to work on a project that’s meaningful for our community. As I continue to build this site, I hope to create a space where everyone can find a piece of art that feels like home.