Being in the Flow

I am doing a lot of art journaling lately, and trying to be "in the flow". That has led me to think about when I've been there in the past.

The best time I can think of was when my niece was visiting - 5 or 6 years ago, and we went down to the studio to play. She was probably around 11 or 12 then, didn't know what to paint and was very hesitant. I encouraged her to just start, and ideas will come.

To encourage her, I started doing the same thing myself. I used my paints without fear because I was just playing! I found that painting today and hung it in up in the nearly finished studio, just to remind myself - that's what I want my art experience to be.

I have to think about the process - not the product. There have been so many times:

• I've hesitated because I was afraid that what I made wouldn't be any good
• I didn't use art supplies I bought because I wanted to "save" them for when I was really good
• I got frustrated and set a project aside because it wasn't turning out the way I wanted
• I stopped a couple of steps into a painting because the next thing I did might be "wrong"

I have now made a promise to myself to do the art, make a mess and keep going even if it's bad.

I've got the mess part down - And I'm having fun!