yes I can do that

A friend of mine posed a question on FaceBook the other day asking us to share something about our self that others do not know.  I responded back by saying, "from the outside I appear to have it all together when in reality most of the time I fake it until I make it".  That does not imply that I am phony it simple says that I will take risks to step out beyond my comfort zone even with my knees shaking and I haven't a clue what to do next.  YET... there are times that fear has engulfed me so tightly that I can't seem to get loose.  In the past I would beat myself up over it to the point that I felt like I couldn't overcome.   I am glad to say that hardly ever happens to me anymore.  When fear of reaching out of my comfort zone presents itself I get quiet and allow myself to feel the feeling, then I release it.  I often come up with a way to encourage myself to move forward.

Which brings me to the point of this post.

Lately I have been feeling the intense and exciting urge to paint big.  I've been preparing by buying large canvases and gradually increasing my acrylic paint supply to the 4oz. bottles.    I am enrolled in an on-line class with Donna Downey called 48 Weeks that has stretched me to paint in a journal that measure 16.5" x 21".  This is the largest I have painted.  Now it's time to step it up.  I will admit to you that fear is rearing to the surface again yet I know there is nothing to fear.  This is what I am doing to overcome this feeling.  I have hung a blank canvas on the wall in our Living Room.  My husband just shook his head when he saw it.  I believe it is just the little bit of encouragement that will turn this big white canvas into a beautiful piece of art.

In the meantime, I will fake it til I make it.  When guests come over and and see the blank white canvas on the wall I will confidently say, "I'll be painting a piece of art to take it's place."