I Didn't Choose It, It Chose Me!
Like many artists/crafters, I've tried my hand at many and most mediums. I became quite proficient at sewing, quilting, lampworking (aka glass bead making) and hand built ceramics. I've tried numerous other things throughout the years; watercolor, photography, scrapbooking, the potters wheel, ceramic tile making via plaster molds, a variety of jewelry making techniques (chainmaille, resin, metal stamping etc...), linoleum block printing etc.... You get the idea! Until, some life events forced me to re-evaluate what I was doing with my life. Through lots of prayer and reflection, I finally came to the conclusion that God was calling me to focus on this gift of creativity that He so generously gave me. Fortunately, I was able to quit my job and focus more on what I felt God was calling me to do at this time in my life - paint! It's a bit of a long story on how I came to this conclusion but it is a really cool one at that. I asked the Holy Spirit in a very bold way to let me know what God wanted of me and He did in an awesome way. Maybe someday I'll share it here but if you ask me in person I'll not hold back.
Hunh? Paint? I hadn't really painted since my college days. Where to start? Hmmm, I think I found a mini mixed media lesson of sorts online. I had all the supplies (scrapbooking paper, acrylic craft paint, stencils, stamps) so I sat down and painted "my guardian angel" as the tutorial suggested.
It was lots of fun. So, I did another and another and another - all angels. I kept painting angels because after painting this angel, I started thinking about my guardian angel and how little attention I had given her/him throughout my life and it got me thinking about angels and their presence in our lives. This in turn lead me to reading a lot more on the subject. I LOVE to learn and wanted to know more about this subject. Then reading about angels lead me to a deeper understanding of my faith which then lead me to the Saints.Reading, painting, reading, painting -
-now mostly the Saints. Reassurance from family, friends and eventaully etsy sales kept me going. However, the more I painted, the more my style evolved - what was in the beginning very stylistic, simple, folksy (like the online tutorial taught me) started to become more realistic. I didn't plan it that way, it just evolved that way.
The subject matter chose me!
I never, ever would have thought to paint portraits. Portraiture is intimidating and difficult, at least that is what I recalled from my school days. Yet here I am still drawn to painting portraits. In my next blog, I'll share with you how my newest love, PASTELS, chose me. I did NOT choose them.
What to paint, you ask?
Let it find you! However, you can't just sit back and wait for that magical moment. You have to do the work. May I suggest a few things to get the ball rolling:
1. PRAY about it - not just once or twice - consistently, especially if you are a faithful, God trusting person, (or even if you're not) try it anyway!
2. Search the internet for how-to's and/or tutorials to try something new. I love Ivy Newport. She has such a great variety of classes that are fun, inspiring and affordable.
3. Take a class at a local art center
4. Read up on a subject(s) that excites you or that you always wanted to know more about.
5. Just do it - don't let fear of failure stop you!
I know I am guilty about waiting until the moment is just right, until I have all the right supplies, the right space, until I've read up on the subject, and until I have to have the right amount of time set aside with no interruptions etc... those are all excuses. JUST DO IT!
