Passing Afternoon

So today I did something in Tampa that I have never done before. I went to an art festival. And not just any art festival, but the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, which brings out over 1,000 artists both local and national. Seeing an occasion not to missed, it's where I spent my afternoon. And it was packed! What I love about art shows, festivals, and galleries is the wide range of "art". I love how someone can call leather purse making "art" just like someone calls sculpture "art". Every artist is inspired by something different, and they express their inspiration differently. It's a beautiful thing, the creative process! Today I spent some time looking at acrylic painting, mixed media pieces, sculpture, oil paintings, and pop art. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. And I was finally able to appreciate a city I had grown up in and disliked for so long.

I used to feel like moving back to Tampa or staying in Tampa was settling, because this is where I'm from. I should be branching out, seeing the world and making my place somewhere on my own. But lately I feel less like that. I feel like God has me in Tampa for this inexplicable season of my life. It's not what I wanted or expected, but I'm happy to be here.

And take a look at the awesome piece of art I bought today by artist Dolan Geiman: