Don't Ever Give Up on Your Dream (Nails)

Do you have a dream nail design you want to wear someday? Maybe someone else will do it, maybe something you intend to design, but something that just calls to you as the ultimate nail experience? For me — try not to laugh too hard — it is some seriously awesome turtle nails. I envision wickedly drawn intricate little turtles in varying shades of different colors. The design changes in my mind’s eye frequently depending on my mood or reflection of the moment.

Some days I get brave and decide to design something turtle-ish and it never fails to disappoint me. It is never more painfully clear that I am not an artist in the traditional sense than when I try to put one of my grand delusions down on nails and realize that somewhere between brain and nail it got lost in translation. So I can’t draw and I will not win the mural contest or sell paintings on the side. Does this mean I am not a nail artist? Should I not be allowed to do or offer nail art? Silly FingerNailFixer art is for the talented. Ha I say! Art is what you want it to be. I have learned that my nail art needs to lean toward Picasso or something impressionistic or modern.

Why give up the creativity of nail art just because you do not do the same art as everyone else? Feeling nervous? Place some stones, by George, that’s art! Take a step up from that, place stones on the nails or toes to spell words in Braille. Don’t look at other nail art and get discouraged — look at it and be inspired. I look at Maggie’s blog in awe of her artistry, and the Ed Hardy stuff she does makes me crave tattoo turtle nails (LOL), but it does not make me think I should give up doing art if mine isn’t that good. It challenges me to be good at a different style of design.

After the disappointment of the turtle design I did something totally different on the other hand. Why let it drive me crazy when I can just take inspiration from the idea and go another direction. Will people think it is weird that my hands don’t match? Only if they don’t know me! I would love to hear what your dream nails are, have you had them yet, will you do them or have someone else do them? I’m gonna dream about turtle nails forever I reckon, but it will keep me trying different things and working to improve every chance I get. Take those designs that you think are out of your league, keep working toward them, and let them inspire you in the mean time!

— Holly