work it baby! own it!

             "Work it baby!  Own it!"

It is a happy day when I can squeeze a few moments in to do art!  For my post, I would like to show what I have done to push myself out of my comfort zone.

I enjoyed taking an online class from the wonderful artist Gritty Jane and learned some techniques that took me way out of my comfort zone!  (This is a portrait of my daughter Maddie)  During this painting there were times when I thought I was "in over my head" but I didnt give up.  And I'm glad I forged on!  I love how color can make me feel when I get bold and go for it! 

Sometimes when I feel "too far out" of my comfort zone, I wander in my garden. Many times it is there that I begin to get connected again with my authentic artist self, as I am pulling weeds or watering the new growth. Sometimes I will even take my camera along.

OR....I go find something else that inspires!(This is Nigel - I purchased him at the Utah Arts Festival about 8 years ago. I love the colors in his face...sometimes I feel like he looks! ha! But I love the inspiration he gives me.  He's right in my kitchen where I can glance at him!

You often hear that you have to "push yourself" to get outside that comfort zone. But returning to the familiar can also be a healthy excersise when you are creating art!

Isnt it wonderful that we have people in our lives to help us feel comfort? This is a pic of myself (left) with my own peeps! They are "multi taskers"...they bring me joy, comfort AND push me outside my comfort zone! ha ha love you guys! 



I will end with this quote that I love:

"oh the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."         
  -- Dinah Craik



Even though May is a busy time, let's be kind to ourselves and carve out a little time to do art and nurture that creative thought and "see" life, enjoy those faithful ones and be faithful.  And as we push ourselves, gently, all the while may we recognize what is worth keeping and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away! 

         (I'm Deb Beeton and I approved this message!!)