Today I am grateful.
I don't get to paint much -- fewer than 10 hours a week -- but I do get to paint with a fantastic group of artists. They are skilled, nurturing, supportive and encouraging, and I am lucky to find myself in their midst.
When our instructor, the incomparable Donna Rossetti-Bailey, mentioned an upcoming scholarship for adult art students, the group quickly came to the consensus that I should apply. At first I rebuffed their suggestion, insisting that I wasn't ready. I didn't think I had a large enough body of work for consideration, or that my painting is even good enough for consideration.
But that's the thing about the power of suggestion: at some point the seed of an idea takes hold and begins to grow. I realized that these established, accomplished artists see potential in me. I am challenged to see it myself, but that doesn't mean the potential isn't there. Maybe, just maybe, I could throw my hat in the ring.
The outcome at this point is less important than the small but significant step I've taken to advance my work. A step that I couldn't have taken without all the people whose kind words and quiet deeds nudge me forward along this path. For them and all they do, I give thanks.
I don't get to paint much -- fewer than 10 hours a week -- but I do get to paint with a fantastic group of artists. They are skilled, nurturing, supportive and encouraging, and I am lucky to find myself in their midst.
When our instructor, the incomparable Donna Rossetti-Bailey, mentioned an upcoming scholarship for adult art students, the group quickly came to the consensus that I should apply. At first I rebuffed their suggestion, insisting that I wasn't ready. I didn't think I had a large enough body of work for consideration, or that my painting is even good enough for consideration.
But that's the thing about the power of suggestion: at some point the seed of an idea takes hold and begins to grow. I realized that these established, accomplished artists see potential in me. I am challenged to see it myself, but that doesn't mean the potential isn't there. Maybe, just maybe, I could throw my hat in the ring.
The outcome at this point is less important than the small but significant step I've taken to advance my work. A step that I couldn't have taken without all the people whose kind words and quiet deeds nudge me forward along this path. For them and all they do, I give thanks.