Painting the "Gifted"

For me, it's not just about the music I love. People sometimes view what others do and simplify it. I look at what an individual does or can do well and differently, as a gift. If you listen to what is talked about in the golden era of rap (90's), there are real life lessons and glances into a lifestyles, perspective, or ones environment. The way it is presented is unique and complicated. Not everyone possesses the gift to write down ideas, give them a poetic rhythm, and match them to beats and music. People that have this ability are truly gifted with multiple types of intelligence.

Having taught in Florida at a School for the arts, I learned that all people learn differently. Upon being hired, I was given the Myers-Briggs test to see what type of personality characteristics I had and what that meant in regards to how I processed information and treated others. This school was an extremely important part to how my philosophies and views on people are formulated. The school where I taught believed in using an 'Arts infused' curriculum. This meant that subjects you wouldn't normally learn through project-based-learning were presented that way. This allowed for students to gain an understanding of subjects and create memorable experiences that they would carry with them. I was blessed with the opportunity to teach Hip Hop History 101, Hip Hop Dance, and of course Painting and Art. Looking back, I took so much with me about this experience.

We learned the value of multiple intelligence's within and throughout the pandemic. In losing so many individuals to unfortunate and untimely deaths, we lost people who were able to fulfill every day needs in society. Because people are paid differently for a variety of occupations, it gives off the sense that some occupations are more important than others. Society and the educational system view and suggest that they are that way and place emphasis on those who go to college or are "book smart." Post-pandemic, there has been a shortage of factory workers, mechanics, restaurant workers, retail associates, teachers, etc. This is evidence that people with all different gifts, no matter what they may be, serve a purpose in society and are an integral part of every day life.

One of the things I've learned through the process of creating my collection of art, is that just simply having "gifts' is not enough. There are many other facets that must go along with them in order to be fruitful. You must have drive, grit, dreams, goals, perseverance, and in many cases, opportunities and support of those around you. It's the people who keep working through set-backs, heartache, disappointment, struggles, and exhaustion, that are the exceptional. Working towards success is not easy. You'll often meet 'haters' or people that are inherently negative that tell you that you can't. You'll come across people that don't understand your need to fulfill your dreams and ask you why you're wasting your time and your money. You'll meet people who hate what you do, dislike your subject matter, or who just don't care to entertain your gift. As for me, I will never be one of those people. I appreciate each and every gift of people I come across. - Deana