Before you start your next creative project, I want to ask you something: What's your story? You might not like the question, or maybe you feel stumped by it. I know, if someone had asked me this 20 years ago, I wouldn't have known what to say.
You may not think you have a story to tell. But you do.
Every creative piece or practise — whether it’s a print, a painting, or a hand-sewn garment — carries a fragment of your personal narrative inside it. In a quiet moment, why not explore what yours might be saying?
Storytelling is as old as time...
Art has always been a way for people to share their stories. From ancient cave paintings to folk art rich with symbolism, creativity has long been a powerful form of communication. There doesn't have to be a linear storybook narrative either - abstract work can hold feelings, ideas, and memories that words sometimes can’t reach.
"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” - Aristotle
For me, stories always seem to be nestled somewhere, in whatever creative thing I'm making. When I first noticed myself being creative as a child, it was through writing - poems, stories and songs were built with wonderful words, and they gave me a way to express myself when I couldn't find the volume in my own voice. It's actually where the name Gemma The Pen came from - everything creative, for me, started with the pen. Since then I have let myself try other forms of creativity, like music and making things, and with each adventure I've been finding my own story, sung louder.
YOUR Story is worth telling...
Not sure what story you want to share yet? That’s completely okay! The act of creating is its own quiet exploration. Just start creating things that bring you a smile or that bring you a feeling of accomplishment. As you go along you'll start to spot common themes in the materials, techniques and topics you choose to use. It may not feel like a story at first (with a linear form, going from one point to the next in a seemingly logical fashion) but it will be a collection of your thoughts and ideas, which together will express something unique about YOU. These subtle patterns are the bones of your story.
Here are some gentle ways to begin noticing it:
👉 Recurring Themes
Are there certain subjects or ideas you keep returning to? Maybe you’re drawn to nature, nostalgia, or whimsy. Perhaps watercolour keeps pulling you in, or a particular colour scheme is turning up in everything you draw. Those quiet pulls might be guiding your creative voice.
👉 Meaningful Objects
The things we surround ourselves with can offer up insight. Gather objects, photos, or even scraps of paper that resonate with you. These could become a mood board or inspiration collection that guides your projects later. What is it about them that draws you in? Their shape, texture or use? Identifying the common threads in your choices can be really interesting!
👉 Write or Sketch Freely
Set a timer for 10 minutes and write or sketch whatever comes to mind—no pressure, no editing. Sometimes the most authentic ideas emerge when we’re not trying too hard. Afterwards, don't rush to judge it good or bad - just close the book and let it exist in there. It was a release of something and later on it might speak to you more.
👉 The Moments That Make You
Think about times in your life that made you feel something — joy, sadness, curiosity, or even frustration. Which memories have stayed with you? How might those feelings translate into colour, texture, or shape? You don't need to know the answers right now, but starting to mull these questions quietly in the background can expand your ideas later.
Telling Your Story Through Art
Once you sense the outline of your story, how can it shape your creative work?
🟡 Symbols and Metaphors: Whereas once you may have been drawing without much direction, now you know what you like you can start being more intentional. Include imagery that represents your feelings or ideas. A bird might symbolise freedom, or a certain pattern could remind you of family.
🟡 Colour and Texture: Colours and textures can evoke emotions and memories. Earthy tones might feel grounding, while bold colours could express excitement. The colours you are currently drawn to can express where you are right now (and remember, it's likely these will change through different periods of your life). Or the colours that you liked as a child might help you express feelings of nostalgia or innocence.
🟡 Materials and Mediums: The tools and materials you choose can also tell a story. Rough woodcarving might convey raw emotion, while delicate line work could suggest quiet reflection. Throwing paint onto a surface could express excitement or anger, whereas neat embroidery could express calm and an interest in details.
Your story doesn’t have to feel big — the smallest, most personal moments make powerful art. This year, I’m encouraging myself (and you) to lean into curiosity and explore what stories are inside you, waiting to be told.
If you're looking for a gentle nudge to start exploring your creativity, check out my YouTube Channel where I share my random whims and inspirations - maybe you'll find some ideas you'd like to try too! - and we'll make art together.
Comments