courage

I love the word courage. It has a lot of meaning to me in regard to my life. For anyone who really knows me, knows I am a big scaredy-cat and that I have to MAKE myself do many of the things I am afraid of.
In fact, this is one of my favorite quotes, "I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." (-Georgia O'Keeffe).

I think painting  and art making takes courage. Those first marks onto your pristine, clean surface takes a bit of bravery. Then as you progress through it all and your marks begin to take shape, it takes all you can muster sometimes to not give up, to work through all the parts that are unknown or that you may not like very much. And, finally, to show your work to the world. Well that can be really intimidating. I am not saying that being an artist is the scariest thing in the world...only that it takes courage to be true to yourself, to reveal yourself and to do it everyday again and again. Lots of things in life take a brave heart...I hope you find the strength and courage within you to do what you love and, not follow, but CHASE your dreams! xokp