My art posts tend to be encouragement-for-artists focused instead of technique-focused. That’s not intentional. In fact, I just realized I was doing it today. But I won’t apologize, and here’s why:

Above all else, artists need encouragement.

I could write to you about hatching and cross-hatching. Or share about my experiences with acrylics. We could talk for hours about photography techniques, vignettes, and stylings yet barely be dipping our toes into the sea of possibilities. And we will do that. But first…

Most of our moments are stolen by duty during the day. When moments of possibility come, it’s still hard to take them. To conquer the familiar fear of, “is this going to work?”

And we never really know.

Like the picture featured on this post. I did some work with springs. It’s quirky. It’s weird. It’s kind of funny. Kind of punny. Inventive. Odd. I mostly like it. In fact, I’m quite in love with it. But when I started, I didn’t know what the final product would become. Still, I knew when it was complete.

Risking the Rejection

My dear artistic inventors, when you’re at this point there is only one thing you can do. You must gulp – then share it. Even if it’s only with a trusted friend. At the right time, you must seize that second moment to share that small piece of you with someone new.

I read a quote by Henry Mattisse this week on Canva:

Creativity Takes Courage – Henry Matisse

It’s true. It takes courage to create, and it takes courage to create again when the first time fails. And it takes more courage to show people who just might think you’re weirder than they thought. Which might really be saying something.

Say it anyway.

Invent your story.