The 6 Steps To Prepare For An Art Workshop

By Nicole Tinkham

If you just signed up for your first art workshop or it’s been a while and you’re not sure what to expect, this blog is for you! We know how scary it can be trying something new in a classroom with people you don’t know. You’re there to learn but you also don’t want to be clueless either. We feel ya! That’s why we came up with these 6 steps to prepare for an art workshop to ease your mind before you begin.

1.    Signing up

Choose a type of workshop – What do you want to learn? Where would you like to expand your skills? What interests you? It’s so important to choose a workshop that will help you grow as an artist. It’s common to choose one that aligns with what you are already good at and enjoy but the key here is to challenge yourself! Choose a workshop in an area you don’t feel comfortable in and really push yourself.

Choose a location – Finding an art workshop close to home can ease your mind as far as traveling goes. Make sure you have plenty of time to get there especially if it’s a further drive. It’s also helpful if the workshop takes place in an art supply store. That way if you forget anything, you can pick it up right there in the store. We see artists do it all the time!

Choose an instructor (and familiarize yourself with them) – Maybe you have an art instructor in mind that you really admire and maybe you have no clue which instructor you’d like to learn from. Either way is fine. If you do have someone in mind, take their workshop even if that means waiting a little longer for it. It’s always worth it with an instructor you really love. And if you don’t have anyone in mind, do a little research on a few and see who you’d learn best from.

Pick a date – If you are about to take your very first ever art workshop, we don’t recommend signing up for it the day before. First of all, workshops fill up quickly! Also, you need to allow yourself enough time to get your supplies ready.

2.    Getting your supplies ready

Start early – Don’t stress yourself out by getting supplies together last minute. Plan ahead so you can get everything you need and hopefully find some great deals on supplies (Keeton’s has a huge Super Saturday sale every month!).

Get your supplies list – When you register for your workshop, you should also receive a supplies list. Hold on to that so you know exactly what you need.

See what you have – You don’t need to run out and buy all new supplies (but if you do, please make Keeton’s your first stop 😉 ). Go through your art room first. We know you have a ton of supplies hidden there.

Ask for help – If your supply list looks like a foreign language to you, bring it into Keeton’s and just ask us to look over it with you. We’ll show you exactly what you need.

3.    Transportation

Supply storage – So once you have all your supplies, it’s time to figure out how to get them there. Make sure you have storage bins, a rolling travel bag or cart, and anything else to safely transport your supplies to the workshop.

Brush storage – Be careful with those brushes!! Please do not just throw them in with everything else. Keep them happy in a special brush carrier (we have those at Keeton’s).

Finished project – Also consider how you’ll get your finished project home. How big is it? Will it be dry or still wet? This is so important to think about because you don’t want to mess anything up on the way home.

4.    Other things to bring

Food – A great question to ask before your art workshop is if food will be included. Some of the workshops we do here include a lunch which is typically subs. Make sure you know the time frame of the workshop, if there will be any breaks, and whether or not food will be provided.

Water – It never hurts to bring a bottle of water with you.

Extra money – Just in case you are missing a few supplies, bring some extra cash so you can pick it up in the store without missing an important lesson.

Notebook and pen – Trust us when we say you WILL want to take some notes!

5.    How to act

Get there early – First of all, you’ll want to grab a spot that you feel most comfortable. Also, strolling in late can disrupt the workshop. Strive to get there 15 minutes early.

Turn off your phone – This is not only a distraction to you but to everyone else in the workshop including the instructor.

Zip your mouth – We know you probably have a ton of questions but please don’t talk over the instructor. The other students also paid money to hear what he or she has to say!

Take notes – You’ll want this valuable information to take to your artwork later on so make sure to jot down all the details and instructions. You won’t be sorry for doing it.

6.    After the workshop

Relax – When you get home from your art workshop just chill out or the rest of the day. You have learned so much and probably have a million ideas flowing. That’s great! Write those down and then give your brain a rest. You want to start fresh the next day and not overwork yourself.

Sign up for the next workshop (but not right away) – You probably want to get registered for the very next workshop you can since you had so much fun, right? But you don’t want to overload yourself. Give yourself time to practice what you’ve learned and then choose a workshop in the future on a new skill.

Finish or make changes to your piece – You can always go back into your piece created in the art workshop and play around with it. Make it your own!

Keep in touch with other artists – Did you make some new artist friends in the workshop? Keep in contact with them! Meet up for lunch, plan artsy parties, exchange ideas and go on art supply shopping sprees together.

As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into planning to attend an art workshop. You don’t have to take all of these steps though. You can just wing it and go from there! But if you’re serious about taking your art to the next level, put some serious thought into the art workshops you take. Look at them as if you’re in a college class getting your degree. Of course it will be much more fun than that but really get focused and give it your all!

We want to know- Have you taken an art workshop? What was your experience like?

4 Unique Ways To Get Children Interested In Art

By Nicole Tinkham

Artists tell us all the time how important it is to pass art skills, techniques, or even opportunities down to younger generations. Many schools nowadays don’t have art programs anymore and money is being spent elsewhere, but we believe art is essential for growth, learning and creativity. For those of you fighting the good fight to keep creativity alive in kid’s lives, we just want to say thank you for what you’re doing! It’s inspiring! And if you’re looking for some ideas on how you can keep the curiosity flowing, read on for 4 unique ways to get younger people interested in art. And no, you don’t have to be an artist yourself to do these things!

1.    Visit an art museum

You don’t have to know the fancy art terms or anything like that to take a child to an art museum. Let them explore, examine art and make up their own opinions about the work. Ask them questions that get them thinking about the artwork and their thoughts on it. Just looking at creative pieces promotes them to actually want to create art themselves. You’ll find that some museums even have programs for children where they can learn a little more in areas that you may not know much about yourself.

Here’s a great little trick to have even more fun at an art museum.

2.    Stop and admire street art

Help children notice art in their every day lives. It’s all over the place! Many cities have beautiful installation pieces as well as graffiti art. When you see an opportunity, stop and take a look at it with the kids. Other things to keep an eye out for are architecture and nature. Pull over and take a picture. Make sure to look for special events in your area too like chalk art festivals where professional artists come in and create incredible images on the sidewalks and streets.

Everything around us was created by some sort of artist. Point out the designs on cereal boxes and let them pick out bright clothing choices. Anything you can think of to really get them noticing art in their surroundings so they can use that as inspiration when creating their own art.

3.    Learn & create together

When children see you doing something, they’ll want to join in whether you’re an incredible artist or just starting out with them. Let them make mistakes and try new things. Remember, there is no wrong way to create art. You can also learn a lot from them. You’ll notice that they aren’t afraid to dive right in and get started. We should all be a little more like them in various areas of life.

One idea we love is to not let them use an eraser. When they can easily change their creations, they could second guess themselves and not get anywhere on their project. Try using something more permanent like markers and paint when creating with children.
And let them get messy! This encourages them to let loose and have fun rather than worry about the clean up that comes along with it. It helps if they have their own creative space with plenty of supplies. When they notice the designated space with art tools, it will trigger them to want to get creative more often. If they aren’t showing interest on their own, make special art time that they can look forward to.

Also encourage them to use their imagination and gain creative ideas from that. Children are already very imaginative and as we get older, we tend to lose that. Keep it going and have them use their imagination more often. Ask about what they’re creating and come up with fun stories about their creations together.

You can even make a party out of it! Have some of their friends over for a creative day or a birthday party with an artsy theme. They can learn from each other and work as a team which brings in a whole new level of engagement to their artwork.

4.    Showcase their creations

When you make a big deal out of anyone’s artwork (kids and adults alike), it encourages them to continue creating. Point out what you love about the piece (lines, texture, color, etc.). Ask them questions and get them talking about the meaning behind it.
Be sure to hang up their artwork and you can even have it framed which will really make them feel special. You can talk to our custom framer, Mark for some ideas (941-747-2995 and ask for Mark).

When getting children interested in art, it really comes down to 3 main things. Expose them to art, get them creating, and praise them for it. Whether you’re a professional artist or not, anyone can walk through these steps with their children or grandchildren and teach them in importance of art. Plus we bet you’ll learn a thing or two from them! Take the time to connect with them and build a relationship around creative activities. That quality time together is most important for you both.

Tell us, how have you introduced art to a child in your life? Please let us know in the comments below.

6 Reasons Why You Should Adjust What You’ve Been Told And Start Talking To Strangers

By Nicole Tinkham

How many times in your life were you told not to talk to strangers? Like any child, I was told this all the time growing up and even today by my husband. Of course your safety is always the main priority. Before getting into the 6 reasons why you should talk to strangers, we must stress the importance of talking to the right kind of strangers. Use your common sense and stay away from anyone who looks suspicious. Also, don’t give your personal information to any strangers you talk to. In this post, we’re referring to friendly small talk to people you come across in your day to day life like while on the bus commute to work or in the grocery store. Avoiding contact in these types of situations is silly! There are so many benefits to wishing a perfect stranger a nice day. Read on to see what they are.

1.    Learn from others

When you engage in conversation with someone new, you’re not only learning more about that person but also other valuable info that may interest you. Maybe it’s the weather forecast for the week, an interesting statistic, or a trick on preparing your spaghetti squash (if you happen to be at the grocery store buying one). You never know who you will meet and what type of things they have to offer you.

2.    Make new friends

When we’re in school surrounded by our peers, it’s so easy (or at least easier) to start talking to them and making new friends. But once we enter the adult life, things change and it’s more difficult to get out there and meet new people. I speak from experience after leaving my childhood friends in Pennsylvania to move to Florida. One way I was able to make some new friends is by meeting up with like-minded people through a website called meetup.com. We choose an activity and get together as a group, all of them being strangers at first. You don’t necessarily have to do this group method but the point is you have to get out there talking to others if you’re looking to make new friends!

3.    Build confidence

Talking to complete strangers is terrifying at first! Although it’s extremely uncomfortable, the more you do it the better you will get at it. Aim to talk to one new person for every day that you venture out of the house. Engaging in conversation almost every day will build your confidence even if you’re shy and it’ll make interacting with others come more naturally to you.

4.    Become a better listener

Remember to be all ears when talking to others. This goes for both new people and people you already know. Ask questions and actually listen. You will get the most incredible information this way plus people love talking (especially about themselves) so it’s a surefire way to get others to like you. Do you have the tendency to cut people off mid sentence and put in your two cents? Talking to strangers and practicing your listening skills can help you control that habit and understand people on a deeper level.

5.    Improve someone’s day (including your own)

I find it rare these days to run into friendly people. Everyone seems to be lost in their own little world or they’re in such a rush that they don’t even notice you. But when I’m out and someone smiles and says “hi”, it’s so refreshing and instantly puts a smile on my face. If you feel the same way about friendly people, it’s time you pay it forward! Spread joy and you’ll not only make others happy, you’ll also be working on your own happiness.

6.    Make everyday tasks more interesting

Do you ever feel lonely even when you’re surrounded by a ton of people? Time seems to stand still and you become bored out of your mind. Think about the frustration of waiting in a long line or the dreaded commute on a bus. We don’t like these things because it takes up time in our day and we get nothing accomplished during that wait time. However, if you start a conversation with that person behind you in line it makes time fly by and the wait will be worth while. Make life interesting by talking to more people!

You don’t have to be a chatty Kathy and talk to every single person you see to reap the benefits of talking to strangers. Start small by just smiling and saying “hello” to a few people. Then work your way up to small talk in your every day life. Before you know it you’ll feel comfortable chatting with more and more people. Don’t turn this into a chore. Have fun getting to know new people and always wear that smile of yours. It’ll help you light up the room and spread positivity.

Tell us, what are some of your best tips for talking to strangers and how has doing so made an impact on your life?

4 Types Of Books Everyone Should Be Reading And Why

By Nicole Tinkham

Growing up and throughout school, we’re typically encouraged to read books often. Whether it’s a history book or teen fiction novel, it was always stressed to read more (in my school anyway). We had trips to the library, book clubs, special events and more. As we get older, reading books becomes a choice rather than a requirement. When this happens, it’s easy for us to slack off a bit and stray away from these good habits. Let’s face it; living in such a hectic world, it’s easy to find every excuse possible not to read. And if we’re not in the habit of making time, it feels nearly impossible to squeeze it in. If it’s been some time since your last book and you don’t even know where to start now, listen up. We’ve come up with 4 types of books everyone should be reading and we’ll tell you why. But first, let’s talk about the importance of reading so you understand the value before diving right in.

The Importance

Still need some convincing that we should all read a little more? Fist of all, reading teaches us the important lessons which help us survive life’s obstacles. This is true for any type of book you read (more book types next). You can learn so much from others. Reading also helps you communicate better, become a better writer and boost your creativity. If you haven’t done it in awhile, it’s time to expand your knowledge and soak in some highly valuable information. Ready to get started? Here are the four types of books you really need to be reading.

1.    Personal development

Personal development books are so important and probably not the type of books you read in school (although I really think they should have been). I didn’t even know what a personal development book was until a few years ago. Since then, they have changed my life. These are the kind of books that will get you thinking differently. They can help with your confidence, your self-belief, and with figuring out what your bigger purpose in life is. Basically, they help you become a better person overall. Since reading these types of books, I’ve grown as a person and in my business, I’ve become more positive, happier, and I’ve gained better relationships with those around me not to mention new friends who encourage me. Seriously, these books are a total game-changer.

2.    Instructional

Instructional books are the ones that’ll help you learn or improve on a skill. You can find instructional books on just about anything, from watercolor painting to dog training. While personal development books will help you grow on the inside, instructional books will help you grow on the outside as you learn how to do new things. There will always be something new to learn about so open up to new projects and ideas. If you’re looking to start your own art business, for example, there are a ton of skills you’ll need to learn such as promoting yourself, building a website, business finances, and more. These topics may not excite you right off the bat but remember the bigger picture and what learning these things can do for your future.

3.    Fiction

I’ve found that reading of any kind improves my writing but when it’s a fiction book, it instantly puts my mind in the creative zone. Reading a story (a really good one) forces you to use your imagination and paint a picture of what’s happening. It takes you out of reality and puts you in a whole different world. This can drastically help you with your artwork plus reading fiction is so much fun anyway and there are a ton of different stories out there. Find a genre that you really get into and enjoy 🙂

4.    History

Learning about the past helps make improvements in the present and future. Expanding your knowledge of history really opens up your mind and gets you thinking. To be honest, history puts me to sleep but it is pretty incredible to learn about the past. I think everyone can benefit from exploring and learning from it.

Your homework now is to pick a book (any book) and start reading again. You can hang out at a Books-A-Million, a used bookstore, a library, download an eBook or borrow one from a friend. Just get started. If you can’t seem to get through the one you chose, pick up a different one. Choose something that speaks to you. Select a book that you need in your life at that moment. And once you find a good one, drop your recommendation in the comments below!

5 Questions To Finding A New Art Medium To Work With

By Nicole Tinkham

Are you a brand new artist and have no idea where to start? There are so many different mediums you can take up from colored pencil to acrylic painting. How in the world are you supposed to choose? Or maybe you’re an experienced artist who wants to experiment with something new. You’re so used to what you’ve been doing and don’t know where to go from there. No matter what type of artist you are, these 5 questions will help you figure out what art medium you should work with next. Read on to discover your path!

1.    What is your goal?

Before starting anything new in life (art related or otherwise) you must think about your goals. What do you plan to accomplish by getting started in a new art medium? Are you a brand new artist looking to explore different avenues of the art world? Or are you an experienced artist looking to try something new and improve your skills? Will you be selling your artwork, keeping it for yourself, or using it to expand your art portfolio? Think of all these things before making your decision.

2.    How much are you willing to invest?

When we talk about “investing” we’re referring to time, money, and space. Space may seem like an odd thing to consider but one of the most common struggles among artists is not having enough room for their supplies. Although, this doesn’t seem to stop artists from gathering more and more supplies 🙂 Before you jump into anything, look around your art studio and house. How much extra space do you actually have? Some projects will take up more space than others so you’ll either want to make room or choose your art medium carefully.

There’s also a huge difference in time spent between Zentangle doodles and an oil painting. How much time do you have dedicated to work on your art? The main reason why people get started in something new only to quit shortly down the road is simply because life just gets in the way. Maybe you have a goal to spend more time on your art and that’s fantastic! Just make sure it’s a realistic goal so you don’t become overwhelmed or frustrated when it doesn’t work out.

You also need to think about the money you plan to invest in your artwork. Many mediums require several supplies and if you’re serious about your artwork, investing in quality supplies is key. If you’re just playing around for fun on the side and don’t feel the need to invest in quality supplies, that’s fine too. You’ll just want to choose your medium wisely and budget for it. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than starting a project and not having the supplies you need to finish it!

3.    What pieces of artwork inspire you?

Whether you’re looking to get started on your art journey or just exploring a new medium, there’s most likely something that inspired you to do so. Think to the most recent piece that you thought was absolutely brilliant. Now do a little research on the artwork as well as the artist. Find out what medium and tools were used and any special techniques the artist did. If it inspired you to jump into something new, take that passion and do something similar yourself!

4.    Where do your skills lie?

If you are just starting out and are a total beginner, think about the areas in which you are strongest. Do you have an eye for color? Are you detail oriented? Figuring this out will help you choose a medium that you’ll be great at right from the beginning. This is important because as a beginner, it can be very frustrating if you just can’t seem to get it right no matter how many times you try. When you first start out, you want it to propel you on this journey, not hold you back.

We feel the opposite is true for experienced artists. You’ve already gone through the struggles of getting started and now want to learn something new. This is where you can really challenge yourself. Think about areas that you are weak in. This will give you an opportunity to grow. Remember, if you’re the best one in the class you’re in the wrong class. Keep learning new things to improve your skills.

5.    How do you learn best?

We always encourage artists to learn from others whether that be through various art books, DVDs, artist friends or an art workshop. When it comes to a totally new medium, please don’t just wing it! Start off on the right foot by learning from others. This will prevent a lot of frustration. Now the real question here is how do you learn best? Some people are more hands on and others rather read from a book. It doesn’t matter what type of learning you choose as long as it works for you. Think back to the last time you were trying to figure something out and sought outside help with. What did you do and how did it work out? Once you have this figured out, you can find which resources are available to you. This could influence which medium you decide to go with.

If after you ask yourself these 5 questions and still don’t know if you made the right decision on what art medium to work with next, there is one final question to ask yourself. Is this something you’re passionate about? Does this medium light your fire and excite you to get started? If not, you need to do some research. You may even have to play around with a few choices to get a feel for them before making a commitment. This is where having artsy friends becomes handy. Borrow some of their supplies to play with or take a quick art workshop. This should also be fun so don’t overwhelm yourself with the many options. Sit down and ask yourself these 5 questions to determine which medium you should get into next and leave a comment below letting us know which one you’ll be choosing!

How To Find Inspiration Without Comparing Yourself To Others

By Nicole Tinkham

There is a fine line between being inspired by another artist and comparing yourself to another artist. One can lift you up and take your artwork to a new level and the other can leave you crashing down, wanting to give up. No matter what area of your life (art related or otherwise) that you’re trying to improve upon, the journey can be a rollercoaster ride. One minute you feel like a total rock star ready to take on the world and the next you feel worthless. Have you ever experienced this? If you’re wondering what the happy medium between being inspired and comparing yourself is, we have the answer! Here’s the FIRST THING you need to do when taking a look at another artist’s work.

Remember that everyone is on their own journey

Everyone is at a different stage of their journey. You cannot compare yourself to a professional artist of 30 years when you’re only on day #1 of your art journey. That’s like comparing a child just learning to ride a bike to Lance Armstrong. That just sounds silly, right? Even with the same number years of experience, you still can’t compare yourself to someone else simply because you are not them. The number of years has nothing to do with it. How much time does this other artist put into their artwork and how often do they take the time to learn new techniques? It’s hard to say and unless you are that person, you don’t know for sure. Another big component of success is mental. If you’re not in the right mindset, it is very difficult to move forward. Again, you have no idea what this other artist’s mindset is like. You cannot compare.

There are so many variables that go into really great artwork. It’s easy to make up stories about other people and how they got to where they are today but it’s impossible to know the real story. Don’t even waste your time trying to figure it out or stressing and worrying over it. It’s also easy to make up stories about yourself and why you aren’t as good or why you never sell any of your artwork. These stories are not your reality! Remember that you have the power to change your story. Start speaking with confidence and that alone will go a long way.

Put your blinders on

If you find yourself getting too distracted by the other incredible artists around you, get laser focused on your own work! Spend some extra time learning a new technique or try something that you’ve never done before. How can you push yourself to new levels? We also recommend picking up a personal development book to help you work on your mindset. This will go a long way in helping you grow as a person and build up your confidence. Be consistent with your personal development and get it in every day!

Be open to learn something new

There’s always something new to be learned. It’s ok to look to others for inspiration as long as you don’t compare yourself to them. Instead of saying “I wish I was that talented”, start saying “I will learn how to do that”. Always ask questions. Ask other artists, look it up in books, YouTube videos, or Google it. The answers are out there and you can do anything you really want to with a little research and practice.

The key to finding art inspiration without comparing yourself to other artists is to remember that everyone’s different. You will never be just like anyone else and no one else will ever be just like you. That’s a good thing! Find your unique qualities and skills and use them to your advantage. Play around and discover what you’re really good at and allow yourself to shine! Embrace imperfections and keep working on yourself.

Tell us, when you do look to another artist for inspiration who inspires you most? Let us know in the comments!

You Don’t Have To Be Perfect! – How To Overcome The Fear Of Getting Started

By Nicole Tinkham

We asked (on our Facebook page) what your biggest struggle was when starting a new art project or learning a new art technique and we were blown away by how similar your answers were! So many of our artist friends responded to the question with “the fear of not being perfect”. We totally get where you’re coming from because we’ve been there too, and are still learning how to navigate fear in our lives. It’s difficult to jump into something new when you’re not sure exactly what you’re doing or how to achieve it. Not to mention how daunting that blank canvas looks when first starting. But we’re here to tell you that just getting started is more important than worrying about it being perfect. Learning as you go is part of the process! Read on for our top tips on overcoming the fear of getting started.

Determine where your fear comes from

We believe that understanding why you feel a certain way can greatly help in overcoming your fears and becoming a stronger person. So what are you really afraid of? Before you say “getting started” take some time to seriously think about this question. Are you afraid of failure? Are you afraid of what people may think of you? Are you afraid of rejection? Dig deep and figure out what is behind the fear you’re experiencing. Once you have a clear idea on what it is that’s holding you back from starting, you can work on overcoming that fear. For instance, if you’re afraid of rejection you may need to work on your confidence. If it’s failure, you need to remind yourself of the benefits of making a mistake. You will be learning along the way and mistakes mean you’re trying. That’s a good thing! In order to overcome the fear, you must start at the beginning and figure out what’s causing it.

Live in the moment

When it comes down to it, fear of getting started is really fear of the future. You must remember that the future is out of your control. You have no idea what will happen yet. You may make a mistake but then again you might nail it on the first try! You never know until you begin. It’s not only the future that you’re focusing on though. You’re probably looking at past mistakes as well. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have the doubt that you have today. The point is, we need to stop comparing the present to the past because we can’t go back and change the past. We also can’t control what will happen in the future. So the best thing we can do is live in the moment. What does this mean for your new art project? It means you must begin today. You just have to get started. Follow your heart and have an open mind. Know that anything can happen and roll with the punches, learning as you go.

Consider the worst that could happen

Whenever you’re worried about anything in life, think about the absolute worse thing that could possibly happen. Often times it’s not as bad as what you make it out to be in your head. Maybe you have the fear of being rejected. If you are rejected, what would you do? You’d learn from it and move on. You’d push yourself to improve and do better next time. Even if it is hard to deal with, you will live! Next time fear and worry creep in, do this little exercise. Jot down the worst case scenario and determine how bad it really is. You can do this with any area of your life too, not just when starting a new project.

Just do it

Take a deep breath and just go for it. Let go of your fears and worries. Pretend this is just for fun or just practice. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Have fun with it. We believe that it’s impossible to mess art up anyway. Let us explain: either you completely hate the piece in which case you paint over it and start new, or you fall in love with the imperfections or “happy little accidents” and keep it the way it is. Either way, you can’t lose so jump all in and give it what you got!

Plan to succeed

If you’re not a jump all in, wing it kind of person that’s totally fine! There’s nothing wrong with planning for success as long as you’re moving forward and aren’t just stuck in one place or allowing yourself to move backwards. When we say “plan for success”, we mean do some research before you begin, watch tutorials, take some classes, and really get an understanding of what you plan to do. Get yourself mentally ready to take on the challenge and once you get there, then it’s time to go for it!

Embrace the imperfections

Ok so you went for it and you made a mistake, now what? Whatever you do, don’t beat yourself up over it. Everyone makes mistakes so this just means you’re totally normal (or at least somewhat normal…we can’t speak for other areas of your life :)). Don’t let this be the point where you give up though. Embrace those mistakes, learn from them, and allow yourself to grow as an artist. We’ve found that there’s no better way to learn than through making mistakes. It’s also important to laugh it off, forgive yourself, and continue moving forward.

The fear of getting started in any area of your life is a challenge for sure. But at the same time, you can’t let this fear of perfection hold you back from doing amazing things. We know how talented you are (we’ve seen your work on Facebook!) and we know you can achieve whatever it is you’re setting out to do. We realize that you’re often your own biggest critic but loosen up a bit. Of course there’s always room to work on your art but don’t be so hard on yourself that the fear prevents you from doing your thing! Really understand where this fear is coming from, focus on this moment right here and right now, realize that the worse that can happen isn’t as bad as you probably make it out to be, jump right in and do it or plan to succeed, and embrace those mistakes when they happen. We believe in you and know you can do this. Even if you aren’t your biggest cheerleader at the moment, you do have a support system RIGHT HERE!!

Tell us, what are some other ways you are struggling with starting a new project or learning a new art technique? Let us know in the comments and it could be answered in our next blog post!