We recently connected with Jackie Tate-stewart and have shared our conversation below.
Jackie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
I am so blessed by my childhood and my parents. We grew up poor, but I didn’t realize it because of the love we had. We had farm-to-table food before farm-to-table food was popular. We worked hard on our farm to raise food and the things we needed. I remember when we received some donated clothing. There was a pair of black leather shoes that was too big for me. I didn’t care. I wore those shoes for three years. My parents taught me to appreciate what we did have instead of focusing on what we didn’t. My momma was my person for honest feedback. I keep a picture of her as I draw. I still ask her questions, listen to the words she spoke to me, and let those words speak to me now. Because of my upbringing and not having much, I became a giver. Things do not mean much to me. I would give you the shirt off of my back. The stories of my childhood are now stories of hope that I share with others. They are stories that teach others the value of life and to appreciate the little things. As I was living my childhood and learning valuable lessons from my momma, I had no idea that I would be sharing those with audiences in my adult life. I am so grateful.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Living life on my time is spent utilizing the gifts and talents bestowed upon me to help all mankind. I do so with storytelling and my artwork to see, hear, understand, improve, and gain a clear understanding and vision of their own life, dreams, goals, and pursuits. I am a motivated speaker, teacher, artist, and encourager to all people. Inspired by my life stories, I raise awareness and excitement to live their desires. Most importantly, live, love, and give our best to ourselves and others.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
As a young child, I did not fit in. I always felt “not good enough.” My siblings were intelligent and did well in school. Being more of a creative, I found school challenging. I felt “not smart enough or pretty enough.” Because of these thoughts, I wanted to find something I could do to be accepted. I had to do it. No one else was going to do it for me. In 7th grade, I tried out for cheerleading as I was trying to find something I was good at. I did it. I was good at it. I remember a teacher telling me that if you can draw somebody and make it look like them, that’s the hardest thing to do. I thought, Bingo! That is exactly what I am going to do. That is what got me started drawing people. I wanted to be good at something and wanted to be accepted. I did it. I remember getting an award at school; all the other parents were there, but mine was not. They could not afford to come. They had to work. I was hungry for my parents to show up. It matters when you show up and when you don’t.
Each of us has something in us that drives us to who we are. Don’t feel sorry for me because I had the best life a child could have. I tell you this because if you hunger to do, to serve, to be great, Do it. Because you can.
I CAN. Don’t tell me I can’t because I can. Don’t tell me I am not smart enough. It may have taken me 15 years to complete college, but I did. Don’t tell me I can’t ride a horse because I will ride that horse. Don’t tell me I can’t do this or I can’t do that because I am going to do it no matter what. Because I can. You can, too.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Not long ago, I picked up my pencil to draw again after many years of lying it down. We sometimes get caught up in the doing of life and forgive to live. I have a husband, children, grandchildren, siblings, friends, and the list goes on, as does yours, that I invest in. When I was encouraged to draw something for someone, a light inside me began to burn. I found myself again. I found joy in drawing. I had opportunities to tell my stories and create drawings to accompany them. I find myself excited to wake up and get my pencil. I get excited to go share my stories to encourage those who listen. It is rewarding to live my calling and use the gifts God has given me. Every day is a new day to create something new. How blessed am I?
