deep breath...

I have been reflecting a lot lately on the parallels between making art and parenting. It started easy, thinking about how leaving lights on (for example) makes me feel frustrated (sometimes make-my-skin-itch frustrated), but finding baseballs in my plants makes me feel thankful. The same is true for having a creative business, parts of this life just drive me batty (no pun intended) and other things make me feel this intense sense of gratitude, balance, assurance. And then that parallel extends to deeper topics. Schools nationwide it seems are putting new focus on grit (I heard this speaker this week.) and while I believe in this newish conversation, I also believe that we the parents are really who need to develop more grit. I think authenticity is seriously absent in our society.We need to speak more honestly with each other without fear of ending friendships, we need to listen, really listen, when someone offers a view that conflicts with our own. But before any of that can happen, we need to put ourselves out there and be honest about our parenting, our partnering, our personal (strengths and weaknesses all). It's just so hard. And I don't need to tell you how this parallels with art - sharing art is terrifying in its own way. But if we're all keeping our cards close to our chest, are we growing as best we can? Are we learning? Are we honoring who we're supposed to be as individuals and as community? I don't know...and then I wonder some more...

Anywho, I'm starting my paintings for the Craft Out Loud art show - first week in November. I don't know where blogging will find me, but I'm feeling right now like I just want to paint and not document it, not share it, not put it "out there". If people told me they felt this way about putting their parenting selves out there, I would immediately encourage them to change their minds. But with painting I don't know (still wondering). It seems like a little retreat might be just the thing.

My blogging has dwindled as of late. I do not think this is indicative of anything - I think it is just a season. Hope you'll check in with me again because I have every intention of getting back here. But for now, I'm just going to take a deep breath, dip my brush and see what happens next. xo