Zura Ledbetter
Artist
Here's how Zura answered the Square-Peg Interview questions:
How Do You See Yourself as a Square-Peg?
As I got older I started to rethink that. Alot of times it (feeling different) was a creative thing - but I didn't know it.
When I was with other creative people - when I heard other artists talk about their behavior or habits (like keeping things that other people considered trash, or getting stuff out of the trash) I "got it".
I had been hiding that from people - I didn't want people to know what I kept to use in my art.
What's Been the Hardest For You as a Square-Peg?
I hung with the popular kids. But I just acted like them. I wasn't like them.
Very secretly, in high school, I did art. I used it sort of as an outlet - to release emotions - it calmed me. I drew and wrote poetry.
When I asked Zura to talk about the path from creating art secretly to being an artist selling her art she told me:
How Do You Maintain Your Square-Pegness (in a Round-hole
World)?
I am not inclined to try to do PR for creativity to those who don't understand or don't want to.
I'm too old to try to fit in with the "in crowd".
I use humor. I'll make fun of myself - point out how I'm different.
What Square-Peg Trait are You Most Proud Of?
They are washing through my mind continually, and when I want I can just reach in there and grab one and follow it through to completion.
This affords me the luxury of never being bored. There is never a moment in my life when I can't think of something to do that's fun!
What are Your Favorite Books?
I read this in the early 80's. The author is an autistic woman who wrote about what it was like growing up.
Reading about how autistic people feel estranged - reading what was in her mind - brilliant - fascinating - helped me put value on what's on the inside of a person.
Then I could see and began to value what I thought of myself, rather than what other people thought of me.
Zura mentioned that, as part of her Occupational Therapy career, at the time she read the book, she was working with autistic children.
Zura also named: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty
and How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci by Michael Gelb
and commented:
What Can a Square-Peg Learn From Zura ?
Lots! I love how Zura started using art as expression and for release - as a way to tell her story, first for herself and then let it go out from there.
Art is so healing - and when we're ready to share our art we spread the healing.
And the wisdom in Zura's staying mostly with her "tribe" - I love that. I spent alot of time and energy, in the past, trying to get people to understand who I was.
Now I've found that just being me - being with my "tribe" - attracts others like me. And it's not my job (and a big waste of energy) to try to convert anyone else to my way of being - they have their own.
Also, thinking about Zura's trash secret (hiding the fact that she found and saved what some might consider trash to use in her art) and her hearing other artists talk about doing the same thing - reminds me that we are NEVER alone in our secrets.
There's such a great feeling - I've seen in on others' faces and felt it in my own heart - when we hear something that allows us to say, with relief: "Me too!. Whew, I'm not the only one."
So keep listening and you'll find that you're not alone with your secret - or maybe if you're brave - and know that you're in a safe place - tell your secret and listen for echoes.
Visit Zura's site.
Zura's Favorite Books:
Interview originally appeared in the November 2005 issue of Square-Peg-People's Encourager newsletter.