Becoming You

The process of making your art is the process of becoming you.

I heard this quote the other night while I was making dinner and listening to Nicholas Wilton on a Facebook livestream.It rang so true.Over the last 2 years, as I have dedicated myself to making authentic art and pushing into new territory, my paintings have changed massively. I have gone from this:to this:Who knows where I'll go next?!But that's not all that has changed. My life experience has also transformed at the same pace.I have gained confidence, I have taken chances, I have walked away from things that did not make me happy. I have made surprising new discoveries. In short, I have been able to make changes that seemed impossible to me just 6 months ago.  And every change has made my life better.Looking back, I can see how far I had moved away from myself.As a child, I was always fearless. My little brother was careful about new situations - I always jumped in feet first. Somewhere there is an old photo of me standing on top of a tall climbing frame while my brother clings to the bars far below me, less than a foot off the ground.When I was 23 and my soon-to-be-husband asked was offered a job in Canada, I immediately said 'let's go!' Even though I had no work permit and had never been to Canada.But somewhere along the way, as I got older and got more stuff (house, car, mortgage, garden etc.) I became more cautious. I started my own business along the way - but it was a business I knew I'd be good at, rather than one I was passionate about. And when it became draining and difficult, I stuck with it because I couldn't see another way.Until I began to explore within my art. Until I began to push beyond my limitations, explore new techniques, learn from great teachers. Once I did that, everything changed.I moved my artwork forward, yes. But I also began to act like that little kid at the top of the climbing frame - curious, excited, fearless.  I work less and less in the business I no longer enjoy. I paint every day. I am preparing for a solo show in March. I work on this website. I run a private Facebook group. And once a year, I teach a 3-month program called "Find Your Joy" where I help others to learn the same lessons I have.Over this last 2 years, I've learned that the possibilities in art are limitless - and it turns out that they are in life too.