Thanks Carol. Any time spent with my Mum and Dad is precious and I love that my Mum and I have art in common. It sounds like you have that same interest in common with your daughter. I think if you can resist any teaching and just get together to paint or even go sketching together and then go out for a coffee or a glass of wine afterwards and talk about the shared experience, you may have more luck. But yeah, life can be so busy and unless we can step away, we don’t see what might be a different priority. Good luck!!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts MK! Yes, you are so right – there is much that’s joyous and fun about painting! And the reward of a successful piece is the cherry on top 😀

Loved your thoughts on this topic Julia! And of course you are coming to it also from a musical and writing perspective which is cool. For sure, the obstacles and our own resistance to doing the work can make it all seem so hard. And yet, there are times too when the creating itself, despite the times of flow, can feel like an effort, albeit a wonderful one!

Rhonda, oh my word yes!! That whole talent thing. I do think sometimes we have genes that may help us along the creative path but it’s our interest, determination, and practise that takes us a very long way to a successful painting. Having the genes without any of the three characteristics mentioned takes us nowhere.

And yes, what’s ‘nornal’ for an artist anyway?!

I passed along your comment. She’s so chuffed at the attention!

Tammy it sounds like you found such joy getting back to your art this summer. I’m so happy for you!! Life and its travails can certainly take us a long way away from our creative yearning to paint. Emotional upheaval and physical exhaustion can certainly de-motivate us. Keep a sketchbook handy even for scribbling in and recording your emotions, thoughts, and spottings.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Thanks Van for sharing your frustration with using pastels. Being under pressure is always stressful and often doesn’t allow the spirit to flow and express. Making a living from your art isn’t easy, but with a committment to learning and painting, and a determination to make it happen, all things are possible!

Hello Michael!! Thank you for becoming a subscriber!

And thank you for your marvellous sharing pof thoughts on this topic! I agree with you that in the painting, we can get completely lost in the flow. Fantastic. And still, I find I am mentally (and sometimes physically after a two-hour spell standing at the easel, right arm outstretched through it all) at the end.
You are right about the tedium of so many other aspects of beng an artist – thanks for describing so many of them.

I appreciate the time and effort and care you took to communicate your ideas with us!

Awww thanks Gareth.
And LOVE your marathon analogy and your perfect description of the various stages!!