Child of the 70s

Remember the 1970s when we all tried to “find ourselves”?  I’m confident Spring is a child of the ’70s. One day she’s all about blue skies, warm sunshine, daffodils, and a chorus of courting bullfrogs. The next day she dumps snow on us. Whatever her mood, Spring is about transformation.   

A few weeks ago I enrolled in an intense art class. It’s challenging. I work in my studio at least 30 hours a week. Some days I’m hot—surely the next Michelangelo. Sistine Chapel’s ceiling needs a makeover? I’m on it. Other days I’m cold—ready to stack cans at Publix. But they probably won’t hire me.

I can relate to Spring. What I’m learning requires transformation. It’s easy to stay in my art-making comfort zone. But I’m pushing myself look deep into my heart and soul and explore new, more potent, parts of my creativity. And that’s scary. I feel vulnerable. Uncertain. Even afraid. I mean, what if I paint something wrong? What if you don’t like my new work?

Still, I’m committed to transformation—improvement—becoming more me. So I tell myself three things: Practice. Practice. And practice some more.

Then there’s the note to self: “Enjoy the process. Don’t freak out. Lean into learning. Ramp up your curiosity. Dance with unexpected outcomes.”

I hope you stick around to see what happens. 

Practicing shape making in my sketchbook