The Heart in Art
Inspiration comes to me in many forms. Sometimes it comes in the form of motivational quotes, a good book, heartwarming songs, a memory or a personality. The simplest thing scan inspire someone to do great things and it is important not to take those for granted.
When I was young I spent a ton of time with my grandma Martha. She often would watch me while my parents were at work. She was my favorite, I mean she was the best grandma ever! We would color, play card games, eat yummy snacks and lets not forget about going to the Iowa Speedway every Saturday night! It wasn’t until I was in high school that I realized just who she was. She worked several jobs, practically back to back, never slept in, but didn’t have much money. None of that ever bothered me, in fact, I remember opening my graduation card from her, it was the larget check she’s ever given me. I was so aware of the fact that the amount she gave me, she had to work very hard for. And I sat there and cried. That was the type of woman she was, she would give you a place to stay, the clothes off her back and fill your belly without you even having to ask. Needless to say, that woman holds a VERY dear place in my heart.
When she passed away it hit my family hard. And I mean hard. When you lose a person like that it’s devastating. To keep her memory alive, I tried to listen to all the songs that reminded me of her, I kept her racing t-shirts and hung her replica Jeff Gordon Racing Jacket, and I even got a tattoo. As time passed I started to see her loss differently. I no longer wanted to be sad, I wanted her to know that I would be okay. Because she left us so young, she didn’t get the chance live life to the fullest. I decided that I would, so that her spirit could live through me.
This story may be a rough read for some as this may hit too close to home. But I promise you, that I still think about her and am reminded of her on a daily basis and it no longer hurts. Do you remember the tattoo I mentioned a paragraph back? Well the tattoo I have is something she drew for me, somewhat on accident. As she was signing my 19th birthday card she accidently wrote, “ Love, Mom” as if the card was meant for her daughter(my mom). So when my mom caught this error, she suggested grandma turn the M-O-M into three hearts. The heart I use for my logo is the first “M” in mom. So I don’t care that the heart is a bit misshapen, isn’t everybody’s?
If you can’t tell, my grandmother taught me a lot about life both while she was here and after. She has played such an enormous role in motivating me to follow my heart and find a balance for work and life. For that alone I owe her, and the best way I know how is to pay her back is share my art and our story with the world.
**In loving memory of Martha Kay Graves**
Much Love,
Mak