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| Autumn Harvest - my first Charcoal Still Life ('96) - ©CindyRippe2013 |
I've started working on my interactive online Botanical classes again. I've been teaching drawing/design/technique classes for over 20 years. If you've followed me at all (or read the name of this blog) you know that I'm inspired to create images of flowers and botanicals. Most of them have an inspirational theme but it's always about nature.
Last year about this time I recorded two online classes with Interactive Artist Magazine with the intention of launching my own online classes immediately after that. I had already planned to take my business in that direction and have so much experience in the creative industries as a national teacher, professional demonstrator, author, consultant and even a stint as a guest on QVC. I figured it would be "a piece of cake" and allow me to work from my home studio more. The travel across the United States was getting harder while caring for my family (and myself) so I thought was a great idea. Well, here we are. It's almost a year later and I've been working on my classes VERY slowly. I've let life and all of it's chaos take center stage and put my art business on the side. I'm still teaching at a few national conventions but I've become an expert at excuses.
This morning, as I walked past the china cabinet, my charcoal sketch caught my attention. I don't usually look at it because I can see all of my mistakes, but today I could almost hear it saying, "Last year you made the choice to change things in your life to allow you to focus on your art business. This year it's about accomplishments. What are you afraid of? Get busy and share your knowledge with other artists that want to grow too." A powerful thought for a 16 year old charcoal sketch to inspire! I guess all artists are growing in one way or another. Either by brushing up on their skills, learning new techniques or getting over the fear that nobody will be interested. I've decided to do it for myself, with hopes that thousands of artists will come along for the ride, and I hope that I'll be able to get them past their own art fears.
“For God's gifts and His call are irrevocable. (He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.)” Romans 11:29 (Amplified Bible)
Thank you Cindy.so nice to get your inspirations. I needed this!
ReplyDeleteCindy this was a very inspired Blog my word for this year is Accomplishments, and I to am making excuses to try new Mixed Media and my colored pencil work this year as they are new and I have to add them to my accomplishment journal at the end of the year. No More Excuses We Must Advance....<3
ReplyDeleteSharon
Reading your blog post sounds very familiar to me. I think we are in the same place. My word for the year is "transitions". I am at a crossroad in many life aspects as well as on a creative level. Hopefully the year will be full of positive surprises as I venture back to my studio after several years hiatus. During the holidays I unpacked some of our decorations I had designed/painted and published many years ago. They were a gentle reminder that I was given a talent that has collected dust for some time. No more excuses, girlfriend. It's time to get back to our muses and create! I'll be looking forward to see what path your process takes you on. We all can be inspired from each other. :)
ReplyDeleteJust do it!
ReplyDelete