50th Post! 4 months ago I started on this new path of painting and blogging not really knowing what I was doing or where I was headed. This was my first post:
The beginner’s humility and openness lead to exploration. Exploration leads to accomplishment. All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step. –Julia Cameron
“The beginner’s humility” At the time I started this blog I had just left my comfortable salaried marketing job and was gutted of all ego to say the least. It was a difficult time for me. I needed something to bring joy into my heart again. Painting was the thing I knew could spark my passion for a new creative life. Picking up the brush for the first time was one thing, but then putting my paintings on the internet for people to see? I didn’t even have a Facebook page at the time. Was I completely crazy? It kinda felt crazy, but at the same time, it felt right.
“Exploration leads to accomplishment.” It’s true what they say about putting in “brush mileage.” The more you paint, the better you get. Things begin to make sense. Previous mistakes become your teachers. Knowing how your materials react and how to use your tools effectively leads to confidence at the easel. I’m focusing on learning the techniques the correctly from the start. More than anything I’m finding that showing up and putting in the work every day is what will take my work to the next level.
“All of it begins at the beginning, with the first small and scary step.” NO JOKE – Putting your work out there is scary. You know what’s scarier? Caving in to fear and not taking the risks needed to grow. I just had to get over myself and just do it.
The camaraderie of fellow bloggers, artists, friends and family has been the most incredible and unexpected gift that’s come out of this blog. I’m not alone, others are on this journey with me. Thanks for being cool, people 🙂
So 4 months and 50 posts later I still don’t know where I’m going. I just know I’m loving every second of the journey and right now that’s all I need.
Rachel Keough 