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| "The Plans I Have For You," 18 x 24 oil on canvas. Photo reference courtesy Renee Fukumoto. |
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always
ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid
plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves
too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have
occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's
favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do,
or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
Begin it now."
Isn't that brilliant? Doesn't it say it all? That fed my determination when I got back to my art, after a time away. And you know what? So many good things happened. I sold a piece at auction for real money. I got to go to Dubai. My art was pulling its weight. So what happened?
Well, horses. Horses happened. And that's okay. I didn't stop painting, and I had no end to inspiration with the amazing models I see every day. I say it all the time - if I never take another photo, I have enough to paint from for several lifetimes. What's taken a hit is that part I so dislike - the marketing. The putting myself out there. It's hard...and even harder when time is at a premium; when I have to hire someone to look after the farm, so that I can go out to shows. Internet sales have let me keep my hat in the game. Facebook was great, while it lasted. Things are changing, though. All that stuff I said about getting unstuck applies to marketing, too. It's going to require some out-of-the-box thinking, if I want to rebuild.
There are a lot of other things going on behind the scenes right now around here - there are big changes ahead, and being in a state of limbo has made it difficult to plan for the future.
Last year I did a painting of my friend Renee's horse, from one of her wonderful photos. For some reason this one named itself. The inspiration comes from the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV):
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD; "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I have to remind myself of that, and do my part. So here's the real challenge:
Do more. Do better. Don't settle.
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| My girl Gracie - registered name, "Therebutforgrace." |
4 comments:
On into the future with intention. I am with you on that.
You just said in a handful of words, what it took me a whole paragraph to say. :-)
Good post and I know where your coming from being a full time carer to my brother puts the caboosh in a lot of things I can do.....then somewhere along the last few years a light has dimmed. I need to re-charge the batteries and head back towards the light!
Here's to making it happen in 2015, haha.
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