I have drawn my whole life. My parents were in the tapestry

Host: The room feels reflective, as Jack and Jeeny sit across from each other, reflecting on the powerful imagery in Louise Bourgeois’ words. Her quote invites a conversation about the intersection of art, childhood, and the way early experiences shape creative expression.

Jack: “Louise Bourgeois said, ‘I have drawn my whole life. My parents were in the tapestry restoration business, and as a young girl, I would draw in the missing parts of the tapestry that needed to be rewoven.’” He repeats the words thoughtfully, feeling the depth of Bourgeois’ connection to art from such a young age. “It’s fascinating, isn’t it? The idea that her early experiences were so connected to the process of restoration and repair, and that it was through drawing that she engaged with the world. She wasn’t just drawing for fun; she was involved in filling in the missing pieces, literally and metaphorically.” He looks at Jeeny, curious. “What do you think? Do you think early experiences like these, even ones tied to work or necessity, can shape someone’s creativity later in life?”

Jeeny: “Absolutely. I think our early experiences, especially ones that involve creating or repairing things, can deeply influence how we express ourselves later. For Bourgeois, drawing was not just a form of art — it was a way of engaging with the world, filling in the gaps, and making sense of what was missing. She was actively involved in restoration, and that process of fixing something, of making it whole again, seems to have shaped her artistic vision. She didn’t just see art as creation, but as a form of repair or mending, an act of filling in what was incomplete.” Her voice is gentle, almost reminiscent, as she reflects on how personal history and art intersect. “That early exposure to restoration could have turned her focus toward the deeper meanings of mending — both physical and emotional. Art became a way of healing, of completing things that were left undone or broken.”

Jack: “It’s fascinating how she connected the act of drawing to repair, like it was her way of helping something come together. I wonder if that sense of filling in the missing parts translated into her approach to art later in life — maybe seeing her artwork as a way of healing or restoring something, both for herself and for others.” His voice deepens, as he reflects on the complexity of artistic expression. “Maybe this idea of ‘filling in the gaps’ isn’t just literal, but something that mirrors her own emotional or psychological process. It’s like art became a way to fill the voids she saw in the world or within herself.”

Jeeny: “Yes, I think you're right. Art often comes from a place of personal experience, and for Bourgeois, drawing was likely a way to make sense of the complexities of her own life and emotions. The idea of filling in gaps, whether in a tapestry or in one’s own psyche, suggests that creativity is a way of repairing or mending things that feel broken or incomplete. It’s almost like her art became a process of personal restoration.” Her smile is soft, filled with understanding of the deeper meaning behind Bourgeois’ work. “Art is often a form of expression, but it can also be a form of healing, a way to mend what’s been lost or damaged.”

Jack: “That’s such a powerful way to think about creativity — not just as making something new, but as filling in the pieces that are missing, whether that’s through art, understanding, or healing. It makes me think of creativity as a tool for restoration, not just creation.” He pauses, reflecting on how art can help restore not just objects, but also emotions and experiences. “Maybe that’s why art is so deeply personal — because it’s not just about what we see, but about what we’re trying to mend, whether in ourselves or in the world.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And it’s that very personal connection to art that makes it so powerful. What Bourgeois did as a young girl, filling in the missing parts of a tapestry, became a lifelong practice of filling in the gaps in her own world, both internally and externally. Art is a way of creating wholeness, of seeing the beauty in the incomplete and the broken.” She smiles gently, a sense of peace in her tone. “It’s not just about filling in the gaps, but about finding meaning and healing through the act of creation.”

Jack: “I think I’ve always viewed creativity as an act of production, of making something new. But now I see it as an act of repair too, a way of making sense of what’s missing, or what feels incomplete.” His voice softens, almost grateful for the deeper insight into the role of art. “Creativity, in this sense, is about wholeness, and art becomes a way of healing or mending, whether it’s the world around us or our own inner world.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about using creativity to make things whole again, to bring things back together. And when we see it that way, art becomes more than just something to admire. It becomes a tool for understanding and healing.” She smiles warmly, a sense of understanding in her words. “Art is a bridge, not just to others, but to ourselves, helping us understand, restore, and complete what feels unfinished.”

Host: The room feels still now, filled with the realization that creativity, as Louise Bourgeois experienced it, is not just about producing something new. It’s about the act of repair — filling in the gaps, restoring what is missing, and mending what has been broken. Jack and Jeeny have uncovered that art is a deeply personal act of healing, whether it’s on a canvas or within our own hearts. The creative process is not only about creation but about restoration, about making things whole again.

Jack: “I think I’ve been focused too much on creating something new, but now I see that art can be about repair, about filling in the gaps in a way that makes us whole.” His voice is calmer, filled with realization. “It’s about finding meaning and healing through the process of creating.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. When we embrace art as a way of mending what’s broken, we can create something that not only expresses who we are but helps us understand ourselves and the world better.” She smiles softly, a sense of peace in her tone. “Art, at its core, is about restoration, about filling in the missing parts and creating something complete.”

Host: The room feels peaceful now, filled with the understanding that creativity is not just about new beginnings but also about restoration. Louise Bourgeois’ experience of drawing in the missing parts of a tapestry speaks to the healing power of art — the ability to make sense of what is incomplete and transform it into something whole. Whether we are repairing objects or emotions, art has the power to restore, reconnect, and heal.