Why I Love Painting

October 15, 2020

Some fall paper pieces in the works. 🍁🍂 Today has been a good reminder to stop, look, listen, and enjoy the process.⁣

Sometimes I get so caught up in wanting to make a “good” painting that I forget to enjoy the process of painting. Which is what life is all about, right? Savoring the moment. Actually ENJOYING life rather than just striving for the next thing and letting the joy of it pass you by.⁣

I spent some time journaling this morning about everything that made me fall in love with painting in the first place. Here’s a snippet:⁣

“I love the expression. To share a piece of your heart and soul with someone else.

I love the sound of a brush moving across a canvas.

I love mixing the perfect color, and putting it next to another one and watching them sing.

I love the freedom of painting outside the lines. There are no rules or expectations—just what I see and think and feel and whatever I decide to do about it.

I love listening to music and capturing the mood of a voice and the energy of a guitar.

I love opening the windows and listening to the birds chirp and the trees sway.

I love the freedom from failure and the forgiveness that painting offers. There’s always another canvas, and there’s always another day. Whatever you mess up can be painted over—and it’s those messy under-layers anyway that give beauty and life to the whole.

I love the light and the beauty and the peace and the surrender. I love the boldness that opens your soul and makes you feel like flying.”⁣

When you find yourself rushing the moment, I highly recommend this exercise.

What do you love? What are you grateful for?

Your answers will always lead you back to where you need to be.