Diving In

Welcome to my blog…those are words I never thought I’d hear myself saying. You see, I’m not a writer. I’m an artist and my preferred communication is through paint, charcoal and anything else that makes a mark. So, why am I here and why am I starting along this path of sharing in this way with you? Good Question.

Well this past year, I’ve been challenging myself to take risks, to do things that make me uncomfortable, to grow and push up against what I believe I am capable of. It’s not easy work, but it’s rewarding in surprising ways. “There is strength in being seen”….is a quote I read somewhere that sums it up, nicely.

If you’re anything like me, privacy has always been more comfortable than exposing my creative expression to the world. I believe mostly because it feels safer not to and safety has it’s rewards also. But, I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t allow for much more to arrive in my life, to expand my perceptions, so I stay the same and I don’t really grow. And, I’m interested in growth, change and how that shapes us. This has always been a focus in my painting, and through my work I’ve witnessed myself evolve as a result of the shifts I’ve made in my art. It’s as if I am seeing parts of myself that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to…so it’s been a revelation at times. Frightening, often.

So, now in this connected world that we live in, I feel like it’s time to open up and engage more deeply with you. Because I believe we are more alike than we know and that through risking, opening and being vulnerable we can create a forum for that sharing to be explored. Maybe it will help you in someway….I’m certain it will help me.

The intention of this blog is to be about the inner workings of being a ‘creative’, a right-brained thinker, an art maker. I’ll share about my process with making my art – the challenges, the triumphs, the surprises and everything else that goes with the territory. It will, of course, be from my perspective…and may seem a little like navel gazing at times. But, I know no other way to be real than to talk honestly, and from my heart, about my experience and my life as an artist.

I welcome you to share with me as much, or as little as you like….I’d love to hear what comes up for you in response to something I’ve offered here. Consider it an invitation to be seen yourself….we’ll do it together. And, I know many of you are already doing that…and you’re inspiring to me!

In my next post, I’ll share with you my experience with a Mentorship program I took this past year. It, in large part, is why I am writing these words today. I have such gratitude for all the gifts I received from the work I did with Nicholas Wilton and the mentorship community. It has been transformational for me.

Thank you for reading and joining me here….if you know someone that you think might like to share in this exchange, please share this blog post with them and let’s start building community together.