Creativity Abroad: Finding New (and Old) Hobbies

Growing up, I used to be a lot more artistic and pursue a lot more creative activities. I guess as life just gets busier and school work picks up, sometimes creative Outlets get left behind. I took a course focusing on the social and political role of the Arts in Latin America. We have an assignment to create an arpillera, which would be a representation of ourselves and an autobiography. I was terrified of the assignment, which should have been expected of an art course, but the idea of showing off something I made myself to other people was very nerve-wracking. When I used to draw, I never really showed it to anyone for fear of being criticized or my art not being good enough. But we would work in class together, and it forced me to start the project. Well, at first I was a little nervous because I hadn't really embroidered in a very long time, but I slowly picked up and I found myself really enjoying the process. Making this art project would be one of the first of many creative projects I'd start picking up in Santiago.

One thing I really love about you is how art is everywhere. You'll see murals and graffiti on the walls, embroidered purses, crochet keychains in shops, and a big fanzine culture.  After I started on my art project for my course,  and knowingly I became a lot more confident in pursuing other crafts as well. I picked up drawing again, and I wasn't as worried about the outcome as I used to be. but probably my favorite thing that I picked up while in Chile was crocheting.  We want a trip to chill away, and I know this so many amazing crochet pieces. You'll find many places selling yarn, so it's very easy to start crocheting again. 

Throughout the semester, I would crochet in between classes and in the evening. craft making became something I could bond with my host mom over since she likes to knit and I would show her all the yarn I would buy. Whenever they were long bus ride somewhere, I would bring my crochet project with me and I would crochet during the transit.  I ended up finishing a blanket, a small pouch, and a small collar for my house mom's cat. Currently, I am working on a scarf that I started during my spring break trip, and it always makes me smile because it's another form of souvenir that I got to make, and it always reminds me of my time in Chile.

I'm really grateful for having an art course that really pushed me to create a project that would also be part of an exhibition where people could see it. It forced me out of my comfort zone and forced me to be okay with my art being perceived. I was really happy with how the finished project came out, and I felt like it was a good reflection of who I was, and I was happy to share it with everyone else in the center. I was hoping that when I went to Chile, I would pick up a new hobby, but I found myself returning to something that I've always really loved but have pushed to the side for a very long time. I'm hoping to continue creating things and sharing it, and Chile has really helped me push myself beyond my comfort zone.