I've spent much time during the past several months in deep thought and reflection. Cycles of life...we all go through them: periods of contentment and feeling satisfied simply to maintain the status quo vs. periods of yearning and longing to reach beyond what we know, to learn, and to grow.
During the early summer, I entered a phase characterized by an extreme need to get "out of the box". I was bored, unmotivated, and tired of the same old, same old. I yearned to learn to create art in different ways...more interesting ways. As has been the case several times during my art career, God put in front of me an opportunity that appeared to be exactly what I needed. Sometimes though, opportunities that present themselves as such are simply too good to be true. As any cautious person with a fear of risk-taking would do, I considered this opportunity carefully...weighed pros and cons...and prayed on it...a lot. In August, after some undeniable pushing from God, I told my fears and self-doubts to take a hike, took a leap, and enrolled in the Mastery Program of the Milan Art Institute.
The Mastery Program is a year-long art program of online study that's comprised of several components...oil painting, drawing, acrylic painting, mixed media, marketing, and most importantly, finding the voice with which you are destined to create. I'm currently working on the assignments for week 11 of the program, and all I can say is what a journey this has been thus far! The program has taught me so much already, not only about art techniques but about myself, my innermost wants, needs, dreams, and fears. It has truly been a vehicle for growth...both personal and professional.
I've written down short- and long-term goals and developed a business plan for reaching them that is designed to keep me accountable. The beginning stages include launching social media accounts on a couple new platforms and building a new website...a more sophisticated one that better suits me and the art I create. Projected launch date for the new website is January 2024. Preparing to launch and counting down! Add to this my continuing studies in the Mastery Program, and oh yes, what a busy time the next several months will be!
I'm in the process of developing a vision board including pictures that represent my goals. My vision board will hang in my studio near my easel...a constant reminder of where I'm heading. I WILL reach my goals. I WILL! I have never been more determined and focused. Will the road be an easy one? Of course not...but everything worth having is worth fighting for. And fight I will, one brushstroke at a time. The say "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"...I've taken it, and I'm so excited to think about the possibilities of where this road, with all its twists and turns, ups and downs, will take me!
Now, for the pep talk. Seize opportunities for growth that are in front of you, too! Push fears of failure out of your mind and set your mind for success! If you want it badly enough, you CAN achieve it, whatever "it" may be. There will never be a better time than the present to stretch beyond the comfortable and travel through the unknown to the place where your dreams await you. I'm heading toward mine...won't you join me? On your mark...get set...GROW!