When I was younger, I often craved the artistic talents of my siblings. They could draw anything they saw with incredible detail and beauty. I longed deeply to have their level of skill. It took me decades to uncover my own creative strengths.
What are creative talents, really? I believe creativity is a blend of broad and deep skills that billions of people around the world possess. Creativity is everywhere. From the florist to the architect, the fashion stylist to the abstract painter, the sculptor to the graphic designer, and even the person doodling at home or work—creativity is boundless.
For over a decade, I ran a small jewelry business. I hosted shows at my home, and my business grew through word of mouth and from the admirers of the pieces I regularly wore. My interest in collage began after visiting an exhibition at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, featuring hundreds of collaged works by Romare Bearden.
Bearden’s artistry immediately resonated with me—the stories he told, and the way he used collage to center Black life, were powerful. The medium felt accessible, as if I too could tell stories through clippings from newspapers and magazines. I’ve always loved those materials and once dreamed of becoming a journalist. Photography, too, has always held a special place in my heart.
As a young person, no one explained how deep and expansive creative talents could be. In elementary and junior high, I often received poor grades in art because I couldn’t draw people. (Honestly, those teacher’s expectations were ridiculous!) Still, I wanted to be an artist. I wanted to sing—oh, how I love music. I wanted to write stories, inspired by my teachers who believed in my work.
In college, I grew disenchanted with journalism and shifted my focus toward business. Eventually, I found my way into the pharmaceutical industry, where I’ve built a deeply fulfilling career. Yet the need to create always tugged at my heart and soul.
Today, I’m profoundly grateful for my creative journey. I’m enjoying the evolution of my collage and abstract practices and appreciate how art continues to connect me to health and wellbeing. I’m thankful for the collectors who display my work and for galleries that have invited me to exhibit. I look forward to participating in museum shows and expanding my art internationally.
Most of all, I’m grateful for the joy I’ve found in creating—and for the opportunity to show my son the power of believing in and using your talents. Never forget: creativity unleashed rewards every soul.
There’s no need to envy or crave another person’s creative gift. Cultivate your own unique way to express what lies within.
Collage by Heather Polk, “What is Taboo? 2.15.2026”, 2026, torn magazine pages on watercolor paper, 8 in x 8 in
