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Slice of Life: Art and Risk


Sharing my slice of life (#sol14) over at Two Writing Teachers.  
Please join us!



Yesterday I blogged about signing up for an art class. The Kelly Rae Roberts Mixed-Media Mantra class began yesterday. I completed lesson one and introduced myself on the Welcome Page & in the Facebook Group. And then I got scared. So many people in the group are already accomplished artists. Many make a living as artists. The negative voices started in, 

"What are you doing here?" 
"You don't belong here." 
"You aren't any good!" 
"You can't draw, paint..."

They didn't stay long. This class is for me. It's for my joy and my growth. I want to learn something new. When those voices jump out at me, I'm ignoring them & when that doesn't work, I'm smiling, saying thank you and moving on. 

The voices are ME, you know. I realized that today. They come from a place of high expectations for myself. I'm not good at failing. I need to remind myself that it's ok to fail. It's fun to try new things. AND this is what I expect my students to do everyday in my class...take a risk. Trust me. Find the joy in failure. Do something spectacularly wrong and in that find the success. It's there. 

One of my favorite indulgences is watching Top Chef. I am not an accomplished cook, but I love watching them. After so many seasons, I realize that the best dishes ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS come after a big problem: the chef loses an ingredient or burns something or has to "fix" a problem. It seems whenever something goes wrong...that's where the magic is.  

I'm expecting lots of magic moments with my Mixed-Media Mantra Class. Lots of failure and finding the joy and beauty in those moments. 

Right now, I'm enjoying the beauty of my supplies.


There won't be dinner at the table for a while...it's ok! 


Loving my stamps and stickers and paints and paper...they make me so happy that I took this risk. 
 

The favorite thing I purchased is my palette. I feel like a real artist!


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Comments

  1. JaanaFebruary 25, 2014 at 5:46 AM

    Michelle, I am so excited for you! You are an inspiration! I keep thinking about doing something artistic, but I don't follow. Your posts yesterday and today are inspiring me! Can't wait to see and read more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle HaseltineFebruary 25, 2014 at 6:07 AM

      Thanks Jaana!! I'm so glad you're here and reading along. It helps to know! :)

      Delete
  2. BernadetteFebruary 25, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    Tell us more about your class. I am fascinated by the name of the class. How does it relate to the creative process?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeni ElliottFebruary 25, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    Michelle, you and I are in the same boat - I'm no artist, but I'm here for the joy. :) I look forward to growing and discovering with you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    thanks for much for sharing. i loved how you reminded us it's ok to fail. i think i forgot that part. or i just chose to forget it! i never know what my mind is up to sometimes. old hurts and fears resurfacing that i swore i was over with. it's nice knowing i'm not alone :-) we can be courageous together!! -Joy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Terje February 25, 2014 at 9:35 AM

    This is so cool. I cheer to you for silencing the nagging thoughts, taking the risk and plunging into art that promises so much joy.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Linda BFebruary 25, 2014 at 10:09 AM

    I'll need to go back & read yesterday's post, Michelle. This sounds fabulous, & you are a 'real' artist, you've got a palette! You've reminded me that it's a good thing to take the risks-especially when you mentioned how we ask students to do this every day! I just gave a big, & different assignment yesterday to a group. Wonder what they are thinking... Thanks for all of this-loved the pics!

    ReplyDelete
  7. TaraFebruary 25, 2014 at 10:48 AM

    Oh, this does sound like so much fun, Michelle. Good for you that you are going all in...looking forward to seeing some of your creations!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2014 at 11:31 AM

    What fun! I love the supplies you picture. They just brim with possibility. I can't wait to see what you create.

    ReplyDelete
  9. DogtraxFebruary 26, 2014 at 6:15 AM

    Keep sharing so that I can "make" vicariously with you.
    :)
    Kevin

    ReplyDelete

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