When I was a little girl I wanted to be an artist. I wanted to paint the world, it was my canvas. I would spend much of my time drawing things that I saw or making up stuff out of my head but most of all I liked to draw faces. I told myself that when I was older I would go to college and learn to paint people and landscapes, for that was what the "real artists" did. When I finally made it to that magical place they call Brigham Young University--Idaho I got started right away on my life long dream of being an artist. I took a class from Brother Leon Parson, a man whom I would say is one of the greatest painters I have every seen. The class was Art 110 Drawing 1 and it was all about perspective and what he liked to call "construction drawings." It was very difficult but in the end I had an A- and I was okay with that since Brother Parson didn't really believe in giving A+ to people. Life went on and I continued to take a few more art classes: Photography, Color and Design, Head Drawing and a couple others. It was in head drawing class that things began to change for me.
One day I was working on a picture of a live model-which was not uncommon- and Brother Parson, who was my teacher for that class, came up to me and commented on my line quality. He said something to the effect of, "Aimee this is not working maybe you should be a ceramist." He was being facetious and I really didn't appreciate it. His comment went a lot deeper than I wanted it so therefore, I went home and cried my eyes out. I called my mom and told her the story. She said not to worry many people especially artists, have days where they doubt themselves because their work just isn't going the way they want it to. However, it was then, in my third semester of college that I really began to analyze myself and where I was going. I got down on my knees and prayed to my Heavenly Father for help. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but I was really chastised in that prayer. While I was praying I had the distinct impression that I needed to be an educator. I asked why it was that I had never thought of this before and the answer I received was that I was told but I didn't listen. I knew then that something had to change. That week I went to the advising office to make the change. However, I still had a couple of problems. My whole life I wanted to be an artist, did this mean that I should just abandon my dream? The other thing was what was I supposed to teach? Should I be an art teacher, an elementary teacher, or something else? I spent a few days praying about this and finally decided that I would be an elementary ed. major with an endorsement in art so I could teach it as well. This seemed to work out for a while. . .
Christmas break came and I was just getting ready to begin my second semester as an El. ed. major when a friend of mine asked me a question that threw a wrench in things. He asked me a simple question: "What classes are you looking forward to next semester?" I thought about it and I couldn't think of one! I was excited to be a teacher but more than anything I was just wading through the classes so I could get to the end. What was I thinking? Two days before classes were to begin I went to my older brother Derek's house and talked this over with him. Naturally, because he is an English graduate, he told me I should do English. I thought about it but I was afraid because I didn't like to read and I didn't like to write. There was no way I would make it through being an English major. However, the more I thought about it and as I looked at all the classes I would be taking I became more interested and more excited. I decided to give it a try. I took one literature class; Young Adult Literature and I loved it! I was hooked from their on out. I had finally decided that I would be an English Education major with a minor in Art Education. This would allow me to teach and be an artist.
As I really got into my English classes I realized that I truly had passion for critical thinking and deep analyzation. I loved my literature classes and still do as I am right in the thick of things right now. I get to converse with highly educated people whom I respect and admire and hope to be like some day. And the best part is I still get to take art classes. I am currently taking a ceramics class and I have really enjoyed learning a new form of art and the many things you can do with clay! My creative juices are just starting to flow and I am really loving it. I have not regretted changing my major for even one moment. Most importantly I have learned that I can be creative in more than one way. I can change myself and others when I follow the promptings of the Spirit. Heavenly Father wants to help us and wants us to be the best we can be no matter what that is. For I have learned that I can be an artist even in my writing and in my communication with others and not just in my drawings and paintings creativity stretches much further then just the fine artshttp://www.lds.org/media-library/video/mormon-messages?lang=eng&start=1&end=12&order=alpha#2009-02-06-create.
