To my 7-year-old artist self

Dearest Karenren,

Look at you. Aren’t you the luckiest? Your daddy just bought you a sketchpad bigger than you! I know, I know. You can’t wait to put into illustrations all the exploding ideas in your head: the Manila Bay sunset, laced curtains and patterned floor tiles, what you would wear if you were to attend the Oscars, fairies, and many more.

Steady now. You have a lifetime ahead of you; you may draw all your thoughts one by one.

Frustrated that your charcoal drawing of a boxing girl didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to? Listen to Daddy: “Don’t rush when you draw, and draw what you really want to draw.”

Try drawing the Manila Bay sunset. Exciting. Try the crimson red oil pastel to achieve that  fiery red sky, as Daddy recommended. Try the old rose, your sister’s favorite color, for the woman’s dress. Try that deep shade of green for the eyes, like Mommy’s emeralds. Try mixing blue and green for the mermaid’s tail.

What is that? This is what you want to do for the rest of your life?

Of course, it’s not stupid to be an artist by profession. You’re a butterfly whose wings need to be unbound to fly.

You won’t be hungry. You may teach, you may sell your artworks, you may do research. Try everything.

Don’t forget this. Own this. Your family will eventually be proud of you for sticking to who you truly are, how you’ve been molded, and what you’re called to do.

You’re amazing, and you’re being faithful to this gift the Lord has blessed you with.

* * *

Karen Nicole C. Piccio, 21, recently resigned from the International Justice Mission and is on hiatus from her studies.