The business of making art is essentially one of being open to continual change.

As I learn, practice, and play, I am constantly growing.

I guess life is that way too.

In order to really live my life, I'm forever learning new concepts and ideas, weighing their truth, and incorporating change and growth.

So I shouldn't be surprised that my work of creating also changes and grows.

I'm feeling some growing pains.

That's because as I learn new things, and I'm no longer a sure of how put make those ideas come alive.

My eyes are seeing new concepts, my heart knows what I want it to look like, but my brain is not yet able to interpret it to my hands in order to make it appear on the page.

It almost feels like starting over.

I'm not that happy with the outcome.

It is taking me longer and much more work to put a painting together.

I'm also being more cautious and timid.

I have more voices of judgement in my head.

I want to throw everything away.

I'm so thankful for all my friends in the Creative Minds Studio.

These women never fail to make constructive suggestions, share their wisdom, and encourage me.

If you are an artist and are struggling, I highly recommend getting a business coach who knows art.

Signing on with Karen Richards was the best decision I have ever made.

She not only understands the mechanics of art, but also the struggles of the creative process.

This piece, "A Flower With No Name" came from her encouragement to paint larger.

It came from the collective wisdom of my artist friends, and from a demonstration of enhancing the painting with shadow.

I'm not crazy about the result, but that's ok with me.

When we are in a season of growth, the process of learning is the most important aspect- not the result.

I know I've been growing in my personal life.

Now it's time to grow in my creative life as well.

It's time to not only embrace abstract art, but to internalize, practice, fail, and build on it.

I don't like to fail.

I like to soar, to be congratulated, to be successful, and to be in awe of what I created.

So I'm reminding myself that it's going to be a bit of a struggle for awhile.

That until I've been able to climb the next hill, embrace new concepts, and feel the images as they come to me, I will be working harder.

I will try to remember to play at it more than work at it.

I will try to remember to find the joy in the process.

I will look for the areas that I love in each painting.

I hope you continue to follow along for the ride.

I continue to welcome all feedback.

And when you see something remarkable that I'm missing, please let me know.

I'm not sure where I will end up, but I know it's going to be a far greater place than I am now.