What If?

What if I have nothing to say?
What if all the great ideas are taken?
What if, in all of the playing, I never accomplish anything?
What if I'm terrible at it?
What if I don't have the skills to flesh out the ideas I do have?
What if I don't have enough time?
What if I spread myself too thin?
What if the thing I'm doing isn't the thing I should be doing?
What if I don't ever learn to be consistent?
What if I never finish anything?
What if I never find my passion?
What if I get so involved in my creative process that I start failing at other things?
What if I can't pursue God AND creativity?

What if?

This is a post from one polka dot day I've been pondering for days. These are all thoughts that we creatives have at one time or another. Katie is just starting out in her creative endeavors so I commend her for laying her fears out there. Even though I've been creating art in one form or another most of my life these thoughts still creep up on me every now and then. Like I told her, those little nudgings of wanting to make art is actually God, or one of His art angels, whispering in our ear that this is what we're supposed to be doing. Yes, there will be mistakes, yes, there will be dry spells and yes, there will be people that don't like what we're doing. That's all part of it. Our destiny or rather the search of it, is not supposed to be easy. When I start struggling, the thing I always try to remember is that He gave me this gift of creativity and therefore I must use it. If I choose to give in to my fears then I am really disobeying Him and disregarding my destiny. Breaking through the fears is not so simple. I still hesitate hitting the send button when submitting my work. I overanalize participating in art shows, thinking too much about about the end results, yes, the $$$. So I've learned to relish in the good that happens; articles being published, upcoming book, and most of all the wonderful friendships made along the way.

If we don't face our fears and ignore the creative nudgings, I suppose our world would look like this photo. So like Paulette, from  Summerland Cottage Studio, we can look at everything on our artistic path like a fresh blank canvas, ready for us to make our mark on the world. There's no one else out there who can do it quite like we can!



New Beginnings
Summerland Cottage Studio



pLAyDaTEs Are Not Just For Kids

I think playdates are important. One day last week I went to Laguna Beach to spend the day playing with my friend Paulette. We brainstormed ideas for art, classes and retreats. Revisit my post "Two Brave Souls"to meet her. I can't even begin to describe her home. This historical seaside cottage is just blocks away from the charming village of Laguna. Paulette's talents as an interior designer are very apparent as you walk through this delightful home but it's her gift as an artist that just makes my jaw drop. The cottage is like a candy shop. You don't know if you want to look at the pink candy or the green candy. You don't know if you want to taste cherry, lemon or lime. There are so many flavors you just simply don't know which way to turn. One thing is for certain. you are filled with inspiration and you want to go back for seconds and thirds. As we sat at the studio table, I created my paperdoll banners and had this most beautiful view of the Pacific. Even better was all of the delectable ceramic pieces she has created. You can see some of them in the background. We talked of art, crafts, workshops, and the inspiration that comes between brave souls who come together in the name of art.

 

I am pleased to announce that we will be hosting an all day playdate in September. Put the 26th on your calenders...more details to follow later in the week.
I can tell you there will be wonderful food, wonderful workshops and of course the most wonderful party favors in a most wonderful place where only creative brave souls dare to meet! Stay tuned...playdates are important!