Skip to main content

Risk and the Art Class

It's a couple of months into the new year...I guess it's not new anymore...and I'm still working on incorporating my word of the year. Writing about it helps. This year, more than any before, I have people asking me about it. There's a friend at church who checks in almost every Sunday and asks, "Taken any risks lately?" I love that she does that. It keeps me focused.
I took a big risk. 

I signed up for a class. It's an art class. 
It's called Mixed Media Mantras. 
The teacher is one of my favorite artists, 

You can barely turn your head anywhere in my home without seeing a piece of her artwork. 
It's filled with inspirational words and sayings, as well as colorful images. Looking at her artwork makes me happy...smile...feel inspired...so when I stumbled upon this class, I immediately wanted to take it.
But, then the fear seeped in...You're not good enough...It's too expensive...What a waste of money...You can't draw, why would you take an art class...It's silly...The negative self talk filled my head. I felt defeated. I felt sad. I almost gave up. It nagged at me for days. Yesterday was the last day before the class began. I decided to give it to God. I prayed for discernment. The voice changed. 
Suddenly I started hearing...What fun! You'll learn so much! This can lead anywhere! It will make you happy! When I came home, I checked my budget and found that I could afford do this. I signed up. Immediately, those feelings of joy and excitement overwhelmed any doubts I had!
Today begins another step in my year of risk. Expressing myself creatively with an artist that inspires me every day.
I can't wait!



I'm inspired!



Labels:

Comments

  1. CatherineFebruary 24, 2014 at 6:06 AM

    Go for it, Michelle! Kelly's art is gorgeous, and I can't wait to see what you create during your class. Last summer I found this Sylvia Plath quote (I can't remember where; maybe Ruth Ayers?), and it has kept me going in those moments when I question myself: "The worst enemy of creativity is self-doubt."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Leigh Anne EckFebruary 24, 2014 at 1:45 PM

    Good for you! Listening to our hearts can lead us to such unexpected joy. I wish you all the best in your new "risky" adventure. I love her artwork and so many of those sayings, I am sure spoke to you! Can't wait to see what you create.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JaanaFebruary 25, 2014 at 5:44 AM

    Your story matters no matter what media you use to "write" it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Please share your thoughts. I love comments!

Popular posts from this blog

Whatever Happened To...

Sharing this post on Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Do you ever wonder whatever happened to your students after the year you spend together? I imagine how my students are finding life...are they happy? Successful? Do they still read? Write? What is going on with them?   I taught fifth grade for eight years. Fifth grade was such a fun year to teach because the students were still young enough that school was something they loved and old enough that they could show some real signs of independence. Fifth grade is the oldest grade in our elementary schools, so the students enjoyed their final year before moving onto middle school and the challenges that came with that new adventure.  2007 was a tough year for me personally. My dad collapsed in September of that year and then died in March of that same school year. He lived thousands of miles away, so my mind was definitely unfocused that year...but that year, Catie was in my class.  Catie was a quiet stude...
29 comments
Read more

Storms

Last night there was a thunderstorm. It was loud. It was bright. The rain was pouring from the sky. Everything stopped. I sat in bed with all of the blinds opened and watched the flashing lightning paint the sky over and over and over again. The thunder boomed and my poor Bella ran under the bed. The rain poured and poured and poured.  I thought about how cleansing a storm can be. While it's happening, it can be scary...just ask my dog...but after it's over, I wake up and feel renewed. Maybe we need to storm sometimes too. Let it all out and see what's left and how it feels. I storm...on the pages my notebook. When I'm frustrated or worried or ecstatic, I open the pages and let it all out. The emotions paint the pages of my notebook...it's all left there. And after, I feel renewed. I breathe more deeply, think more clearly, and feel better. Without thunderstorms, what would spring be? Without writing, who would I be?  I have always been deeply connected to th...
12 comments
Read more

Chasing My Dream

I'm doing it. I'm chasing my dream. I've always wanted to run writing retreats and workshops for people, but I've always been too scared to do anything about it...until now. I don't know what's changed...maybe I've changed. I'm not allowing the fear to stop me anymore. I've started Selah Writing Retreats.  The past couple of weeks I've been getting the business end in order. I thought I would hate that...I don't. It's scary, but I am surprising myself with how efficient I am. Yesterday I went to a bank to set up a bank account. The woman I met with was kind and helpful and so enthusiastic about my dream. My website is set up. I've done lots of work on it. I hope you stop by and let me know what you think. It's  selahwritingretreats.com . Balancing creative with business has been challenging but fun. Creating the website, getting a federal tax id, making business cards, planning dates... My favorite voxer group is called Butt Ki...
21 comments
Read more