". . . a brush with nature"

Sometimes, as an artist, we become our own worst enemy. We let fear, doubt, uncertainty and insecurities sneak in and they become that constant nagging voice inside our head telling us that we aren’t good enough . . . that we should stop trying to create. Well, that just isn’t true. 

Vincent Van Gogh said, “If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” I believe he was right. I also believe it isn’t easy. Many things can (will) stand in your way and it takes strength and courage to fight them. Procrastination is one of them.

Procrastination is insidious because, like so many other things in life, once practiced several times it can become a habit. Once you allow it to take over for a day or two that can easily become a week or two or even more. 

When you begin to question your own abilities as an artist it is so easy to find excuses not to show up in the studio. There is too much laundry to do, the cupboards need reorganizing, the dog needs a bath, I must rotate the tires today, and, of course, the hardwood floor needs refinishing. You get the picture. Of course, there will always be daily chores that we shouldn’t neglect, but at some point, it becomes obvious that we are procrastinating and simply avoiding what we used to run to. All because we listened to self-doubt.

Take a step back and remember the sense of peace and joy creating art brings you. Remember your passion, your purpose, your heart. You shouldn’t avoid doing your work because of the insecurities you hear in your own head or the fear of “not being talented enough”.

Don’t be your own worst enemy.