Jorge and I ordered Chinese food recently and we look forward to our messages found in our fortune cookies. This popped out of my cookie! “Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still”. I love this!

I can certainly apply this to my artistic journey and is so appropriate at this time. So many times I feel that I’m growing slowly and I feel down and out. On Saturday I spent some time stressing over drawing the perspective of my home. I wanted to “get it” instantaneously— did not happen! At other times I struggle with composition, values or color choices—the light bulb does not turn on!

What’s an artist to do? Listen to this fortune cookie message and believe it!

This message confirms the days where I have to pat myself on the back despite the fact that the process and/or end product was not happening quickly enough or just not pleased with the finished painting. So I decided to find SOMETHING in the painting that pleases me and put my impatience aside.

So, I must rejoice in the slow struggle because I make new discoveries when I “just do it”. If I lament my weaknesses, stand still and not be in the game where are those moments of joy and discovery that I could be experiencing?

The beauty of this message may speak to all of us no matter what talents or journeys we pursue! Have a great week!