First Steps

It's been a while since I posted and I've been thinking much about the last topic of planning vs not planning. There's another aspect to it that painting has revealed to me. I don't know about you, but I learn so much from the creative part of my self.

When I think about things in the future: projects, travel, home improvement, paintings or anything else that could potentially be big and important ... I instantly feel overwhelmed.

I'm hesitant to start because I don't want to mess it up. Sometimes I don't know how to start because all I see in front of me is the totality of the project and it's too big. I see the end product in my mind and have no idea of how to get there. And how to not mess it up on the way.

This has been something I have experienced my whole life and painting is finally teaching me how to go about these things. Like with this fun, fun, fun commission I worked on recently of a team of incredibly therapy dogs. I had no idea how to paint it so that the client would like it. I wanted it to be colorful, beautiful and soulful.

But at the same time I have learned through the way I paint that all I need to do is start. To not think about the totality of the painting, but just about the colors I want to start with and let those flow and mix into shapes. And those shapes will tell me where to go next. And finally I start "seeing" the outlines of whatever it is I am painting.

It's the same with anything really. Just start. Find the beginning point and take the first step. And that step will either get your energy flowing so you can get your project on the way, or it will show you the next step to take or the next decision to make.

And suddenly a huge and overwhelming thing becomes not only manageable, but fun. And that's what it's all about, isn't it? To enjoy the process, the journey whether it is painting a piece of art, cleaning house, planning a dinner party or preparing for a big trip. So, what first steps are you thinking of taking?

With much love and appreciation for you all,

❧ Silke
P.S. Linking to the ever wonder- and colorful Paint Party Friday!