The Canvas As Your Reflection: You Paint Who You Are

You paint who you are. ​The attitude you take inside the studio reflects your attitude outside of the studio. And vice versa.
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Tonight I looked in the mirror. Really looked. Looked far beyond the image I saw reflected before me, and heard myself say the same words I say to my canvases before I begin to paint:
 
“Let’s be friends. Let’s be friends! Let’s do this together. Let’s be co-creators. Let’s begin, and allow the process to evolve into ideas. I don’t want to limit you to a certain palette of colors, or to what I think you should look like or how you should behave. Let’s work together. I know we can create something beautiful."

You paint who you are. 

​The kinder you are with yourself, the kinder you are with your paintings. And vice versa. Who you are outside of the studio reflects who you are inside of the studio.
  
This is the reason why so many artists have distilled the same truth: Painting is a journey of self-discovery. 

Consider these examples:

If you need to “paint by number” (aka “rules”) in order to feel confident enough to paint, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you strive to create something beautiful to be accepted and loved by others, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you’ve learned a pattern for creating, and you restrict yourself from venturing outside of your strengths for fear of making mistakes or looking foolish, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you’ve observed what works for another artist and you pattern yourself after their work, without ever digging deep and finding out for yourself what or how you want to create, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you consider yourself “self taught” because you refuse to give anyone else credit, and acknowledge how others have paved the way before you and contributed to your learning, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you constantly need to be praised in order to feel good about anything you put out into the world, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you enjoy a monochromatic/colourful pallet in your paintings, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you never have the time, courage or discipline to finish a painting, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you only paint when the circumstances are perfect, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you don’t give yourself permission to spend more time painting because it’s too expensive, too hard, and too messy, this is who you are outside of the studio.

If you would rather collect art supplies than actually use them, this is who you areoutside of the studio.
 
If you want to express you unique, authentic creation on the canvas at this time, and you make no excuses whatsoever, this is who you are outside of the studio.

Speaking from personal experience: Begin today to indulge your creative urges inside the studio, and watch your entire life transform.