When I finished this painting this afternoon, the hundredth, the hunsky, the finale, the Kilimanjaro of my artistic project trek, I had a million eloquent thoughts swirling around my head about completion, creativity, & following your dreams. It sounded really good on Channel Brain, while sipping coffee staring at a shrub in an outdoor cafe. I was freaking Annie Lamott & Julia Cameron’s love child.
But this is now, actual fingers touching a key board and all I’ve got is: I done. I tired. I happy.
I actually have verbs too but I’m too lazy or drained to include. I have been thinking about what I’ve learned from this painting project, why I did it to begin with & what unexpected developments have come forth.
Here are a few, in no particular order:
1. Start where you are. You’re never ready.
2. Making art is showing up. Sit down, make a date, hire a teacher, hang with a friend, listen to a book on CD for company if it helps but it only gets done if you’re there too.
3. Do the thing that feels right in your heart. Perhaps an obvious one but many of my past creations were inspired by what I thought I wanted my art to look like, not what came out of me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m frequently disappointed & discouraged that I was not born with the last name Matisse, but I can say, that what I paint is me.
4. Buy good materials when you can. They make you feel like a rockstar.
5. Be inspired by other artists. Nothing is original. We’re all figuring this out, borrowing, giving away & finding our own voice in the process.
6. More is more. If I liked painting something once, do it again! And again! And once more for good luck.
7. Be open to synchronicity & say yes. If unexpected gifts, requests or messages appear because you’re doing something creative, it’s a sign you’re onto something. I can’t count how many spectacular surprising wonderful things have developed since this project began.
8. Trust & cherish your muse. Having a small select group of fans/supporters & people that love you big time keep the creative juices going. There will always be nay-sayers but the front row seats in your life are on the ones that matter.
9. Good, schmood. Is it “good”? Meh…I dunno. Keep going & one day something will be! It is commonly believed that it takes 3 years of regular practice to be a painter. I’m thinking that’s on the short side. But, the big but, do it anyway because you can’t improve if you’re thinking about it.
10. Gratitude. This project has started & finished during several roller coasters in my life & I am so grateful for the people who cheered me on, believed in me, encouraged me to follow my passions, speak my truth & share my unique vision with the world. My heart is full & I am so very thankful to these angels on earth. xo
So there she be. One Hundred Paintings, not exactly in a day, but one hundred total. I am grateful, I am thrilled to have followed through on it & I am blown away by the magical events that have been born out of this. In the next few weeks, I will launch Carpe Diem Papers, a greeting card company based on my original paintings.
I think I should add #11 to my list: Miracles Happen.
So much love,
Mindy xoxo
