 Hello and welcome to my YouTube channel. I'm Sandy Alma and if we haven't met yet, I help people to release their inner God-given creativity, to see themselves as artists, and to use and grow the artistic skills they have so they can fully express themselves. I do this through live and virtual experiences where people are empowered and equipped to go forth and create. Five years ago, I left the nine to five world so I could pursue my artistic passions. That was one big, hairy, scary move, but I've made it so far with your help. You, my followers, my students, my fellow artists, and yes, even the artistically curious. You've made me into the teacher that I am. You've asked questions, you've practiced, and you've learned. You've told me when I was being clear and when I was being clear as mud. You've shared your insecurities about your art so I could share mine and we can help each other through those things. And most of all, you've taught me that I can have a real impact for good in this world by encouraging you to take that next step on your artistic journey. I thought this might be a fun time to share five things I've learned about you. Number one, you are naturally creative. And don't you tut tut me? Yes, you are. Everyone is born with a natural creativity. For some of us, especially those in my circle, that creativity is expressed artistically. But many of you express your creative genes in other ways as well. There are some who are amazingly creative teachers, creative entrepreneurs, creative medical researchers. Everyone has that creative seed within them. And if we can recognize it and nurture and tend that seedling, it will grow. Number two, you are an artist. And again, don't you shush me because you are. Never say I'm just a card maker, just a crafter, or just in anything. Because if you bring something into being that was not there before, whether you need a little help along the way in order to learn how to do it, you are an artist. You're creating. Even if you have not yet reached the level of skill that you wish to have someday, you're still an artist. You're just a work in progress. Number three, you have miles of untapped creativity. I've seen you try things that you were positive you could not accomplish. And yet you did. You surprised yourself, but not me. I knew you could do it. There are some times when I've shared things that I thought were a bridge too far, but you've met me on that bridge. We've crossed it hand in hand and realized on the other side we can do anything when we do it together. Number four, your art is changing you. I'm watching you become bolder. As you try a new technique, you try a new medium. And whether you have success or not, you realize the world did not end because you tried something new. I'm watching you get bolder, bolder in your art, but also bolder in your lives. I've seen people start new businesses, move to a new city, overcome huge challenges because they became more courageous through their art, through that small step of engaging in their own creativity. And number five, you're changing the world. It starts with you because when you sit down in your studio to mess around with paper and paint, you invite peace and calm into your life. You let go of the stress of the day. And when you share that with other people, whether by giving them the thing you've created or sharing pictures of it online, you're passing on all of that peace and joy. You're bringing color and vibrancy and texture into a world that desperately needs it. You're also sharing your passions and helping other people to feel comfortable sharing theirs. And you've helped me share my passions. Together, we have served military families, sick children, homeless pets, hurricane victims, you name the charity, we have done it together. Through car drives and fun drives, we've had an impact. And I want to thank you for a wonderful five years together. And I hope you're going to stick around for five more because I don't know what they hold, but it's going to be exciting. PS, since this is a celebration, you know there's going to be a party on my blog with giveaways. Click on the link in the description to join me over there. And I will see you back here on YouTube with more videos, more creativity and more excitement to come. Thanks so much for subscribing and I'll see you later.