Diabetes Art Day

Lee Ann Thill is an art therapist who specializes in working with type 1 diabetics.  She is also a type 1 diabetic and a blogger that I have been a fan of for a couple of years.  In fact, she and Kerri were two of the first bloggers I found when I reached out via the internet to connect with people who understood the realm of diabetes.  So they hold a special place in my heart.  Unbeknownst to them, they saw me through a rather dark time -- the first year post-diagnosis period when I was so very afraid of the uncertainty that Jenna’s future seemed to hold.  I am more than grateful.

Anyone who knows me from way back knows that I was / am somewhat of an artsy-fartsy myself.  So when I read that Lee Ann has decided to host a Diabetes Art Day the idea really spoke to me, especially given that I have two little girls, one with diabetes, who just happen to LOVE creating art, as most children do.

So I’m spreading the word about this event in hopes of inspiring others to take part in this special day.  Now, I know that some of you reading this have already decided that this isn’t for you.  Perhaps you made up your mind a long time ago that art just isn’t your bag and you’re okay with that.  But I urge you to reconsider and remember that we are all artists in our own way.

Haven’t you ever made a pizza and arranged the toppings just so?  What about organizing a drawer or cupboard so that it is more functional and aesthetically pleasing?  Ever arranged a bouquet of flowers, trimmed a hedge, rearranged the furniture in a room, planted a garden, drawn a doodle on a scratch pad, placed food on a plate so that it looks appetizing, rebuilt that engine and marvelled at it’s beauty,  knitted or sewed, placed posters on a wall, played with play-do with your kids?  I could go on but you get my point.  Any of these activities qualifies as art or creative flare.  You have it in you -- you really do.

This is such a neat idea!  It will be like an online art gallery featuring art from the diabetes community.  I can’t wait to see what others create.  This will be AMAZING!

...but only if people participate.  So what do you say?  Feel like getting in touch with your creative self?  Your inner child, if you will?

The date for posting or submitting your art is September 1st.  If you mosey on over to Lee Ann’s fabulous blog you’ll find all the details.

So away you go then!  And happy art-making!