- Life and Other Stuff
- August 15, 2023
Becoming an Artist – From Code to Canvas
Hello world!
Yes, “Hello world!” is the default title of the first blog post of every new website everywhere, but it’s a phrase that has a special meaning to me. In any beginner computer programming class, the first piece of code students typically learn is how to output “Hello world” to the screen. That was me in my high school computer science class where I began my journey into programming with Pascal and C. I’m still not sure why I signed up for that class. I had no particular interest in or experience with computers or technology other than playing games from the 5 1/4 inch floppy disk on our ancient computer.
Little did I know how that class and teacher would shape my future destiny (thank you, Mrs. Nicolosi!). While I did not have any particular interest in engineering, I knew that math was my strongest subject, and because my dad was an engineer, he naturally encouraged me to study engineering. With his and Mrs. Nicolosi’s encouragement, I made the decision to study engineering, electrical engineering specifically given I did well in the computer science class and this was 1995 when the PC was just starting to becoming a household item. Once I made the decision, not only was I was going to finish my degree but the rebellious streak in me pushed me to show everyone that yes, girls can excel in the male-dominated, technical world of engineering. I would show them! Besides, I had no idea what else I would want to do or would be good at so, in my mind, it was this degree or starve.
Navigating the coding landscape
Fast forward a few years and I was a EE student at the University of Houston, knee deep in calculus and microprocessors and commiserating with a fellow engineering student friend about our crappy fast food jobs – mine, a car-hop at Sonic, his, a manager at Chick-Fil-A. Not long after that he had the good fortune of starting a year-round internship at a major computer company in our city, and not long after that (with his help) I managed to snag an internship there too. That was my introduction to the workings of laptop computers and the PC BIOS (basic input/output system).
I worked there part-time as a BIOS tester for the remainder of my college years, and it led to a full time position after graduation as a firmware programmer writing code in assembly language. The transition to firmware programmer brought challenges, but with mentorship I embraced the world of assembly language, thinking and dreaming in binary and hex. Those were busy but very happy and rewarding times.
Leaving the corporate world
More than a decade later I was still at the same company writing assembly language code but also trying to balance work with running a household and being a mom to my two young boys. In a decision that I agonized over for months, I decided to leave my job of more than 15 years and become a stay-at-home mom. I am eternally grateful for that to have even been an option for me, a choice I could make. I realize that many moms do not have that luxury. I do not regret the choice I made, but at the time it was a big adjustment as so much of my personality and self-worth were wrapped up in my engineering degree and career.
Around the same time I stumbled upon an online group called Brave Girls Club and their signature Soul Restoration class. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, it was just what I needed. The goal of that special class was to use art to work through personal issues and challenges. It was the first time I’d ever tried any of the techniques they taught – painting, collage, even embroidery. I remember getting so frustrated that ModPodge (what they called soul glue) would cause the pages to buckle! Little by little, though, I began to learn the techniques and make things like this ..
Soul Restoration book, Truth Cards, and Life Timeline
Making art today
Little by little I also began to adjust to life at home with two kids, and, thanks to the initial push from the Brave Girls Club, I continued to create. Whether it was scrapbooks of my boys as infants, hand-bound memory books of their preschool years, or die-cut signs for the school carnival, I fell in love with making things with my hands. I continued to seek out and take every online art class I could. I learned collage techniques, acrylic painting, tried watercolor (not my favorite), and began to make my own art books and journals. I painted and collaged girls and faces, flowers, and landscapes. I also started feeling the itch to update my traditional, early 90s-era home and found that I could use art, especially abstract or modern art, to help achieve the eclectic look I love, so I started learning how to create it.
Don’t get me wrong – I still struggle with calling myself an artist and battle perfectionism, doubts, imposter syndrome, and all the other mental demons that can accompany any long-term creative endeavor. But I’ve made a commitment to keep working at living a creative life and I hope I can encourage you to do the same (sign up for my newsletter below if you’re interested!). I continue to create mostly modern, abstract art although I do revisit the other subjects I love from time to time. I’ve found that through collage – often with old homework, notes, or book pages from my engineering days – and a mix of structured and grungy style, I can honor my technical background while exploring my creativity.
Artwork made with my engineering notes and textbook pages
The creation of 1010artistry
Creating websites is another way I connect to my left brained side while simultaneously exercising creative muscles. When I decided to create a website for myself (still a very uncomfortable thing for this extreme introvert), 1010artistry was born. Here is the meaning: “1010” is the binary representation of the number 10 – fitting as I used to practically think in binary as an assembly language programmer. 10/10 is also a date that has special meaning to me – the day of my creation!
1010 binary = 10 decimal = 10/10
Thank you so much for being here and joining me on this creative journey. My goal at 1010artistry is to not only share my latest work, but to encourage you to connect with your creative side. Here I’ll share my thoughts on creative practice along with my best tips on displaying artwork in your home, favorite products, behind the scenes, and artsy decorating inspiration. If this sounds like you, sign up for my newsletter to receive notifications of new releases and a monthly recap of everything going on around here.
I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel.
Life is Art.
— Helena Bonham Carter
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter and I’ll send you some free art! Or just drop me a line any time and tell me more about yourself – jennifer@1010artistry.com.
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