All You Ever Have to Know Is the Next Step
One of the great things about abstract painting is that you can always add to it. There is no obvious “right” move or end point. There's nothing from the outside world you’re trying to make it look like.
How a painting starts, how it evolves, and where it ends is totally up to you.
It’s an intuitive process that invites you to make a mark, open yourself up to what the painting wants next, and then trust yourself enough to do that thing. Again and again.
You take action. You step back and listen. You take action again. You step back and listen again. Take action.
Call and response.
It’s great.
Yes, there’s a large measure of uncertainty involved, which can be either energizing or paralyzing.
In fact, take a moment here to notice how your body reacted to my suggestion that “it’s all up to you.” Your body most likely gave you a strong “Yes!” or a strong “No!”
How we respond to uncertainty in life has a huge impact on what’s possible for us.
For me, as a painter, it’s a clear yes. I love the freedom to play and explore, while having something tangible to respond to.
When I paint, uncertainty doesn't particularly bother me. The wide openness of a blank canvas doesn’t phase me in the least. The chaos of an overcrowded piece doesn’t overwhelm me.
In life, I am pretty much always bothered, phased, or overwhelmed by something or other.
As a painter, I know the next step, I trust this knowing implicitly, and I accept whatever shows up as a result.
As much as all of this baffles me, it has shown me that there is a bold, fearless, confident, trusting, and accepting person inside of me who can handle anything.
She’s the one I’m inviting to be in charge of my life.
She sticks up for my needs. She’s not afraid to say no. And she talks me through uncertainty.
She’s the one I nurture.
How do you deal with uncertainty? Where do you catch glimpses of that confident, capable person inside of you? The one who encourages you. Do you let them be in charge?
Drop me a line to let me know. It truly makes my day to hear back from you. Also, if you know anyone who could benefit from receiving these messages, please forward this email on to them. I want to inspire more people to live a more joyful, creative life.
With love and support,
Mary B.
P.S. Summer is a time for me to recharge and spend time with family. It turns out that having a deadline at the end of it is not a nurturing thing to do. So I’ve put the start of my program, The Art of Joy, on hold for the time being. I apologize to those of you who were looking forward to taking this leap with me. I did not make this decision lightly.
