what's holding you back?

Fear of being judged was always the #1 fear that could stop me dead in my tracks.  But not no more.  Does that mean I still don't have the fear?  Absolutely not, because I do.  It's just my desire to step out of my comfort zone  is much stronger than my fear.  I am learning to face my fear head on and push thru it.  We can often get caught in the trap of blaming other people and outside circumstances, instead of looking within.

I created this piece because it seemed fitting to be with my "simple reminders/simple truths" series.  I purposely put her right arm across her body as a symbol that we are the one who hold ourselves back.  No one else can do that to us.

 

I'd like to point out this is my first time to draw/paint an entire body. Getting proportions right was the challenge.  My next step is to add feet.  I'd like to say that I ran out of space to put them in this piece but the truth is, "I was afraid".  See, there's that fear I was talking about!  I'll meet it head on the next time.