Create Your Dreams This Year

While painting away stress and anxiety

“There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. ”

— Sophia Loren

Have you felt tired or lacking energy as soon as the sun goes down?

The winter months can lack color and sunshine. However, a fresh snowfall creates a blank canvas for an artist. Let it be a reminder that we can change the course of our days.

I’m hoping to paint every day for the rest of my life. I’ve decided I can’t wait for my stress to disappear; I need to paint it away.

The lack of a social avenue is starting to take a toll. I’ve been hoping to get back in the swing of things and go out in public more. However, every time I try, the door gets slammed in my face.

I’m staying hopeful in the area of our social calendars picking back up again someday. I feel like I need to create a brighter future on canvas to walk my way right into it.

Who wants to open their door to a brighter future in the creative realms of life? Let’s quit waiting for the sun to come out when we can paint one.

“There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into sun.”

— Pablo Picasso

How to get started

Purchase some cheap paper, paints, tape, and brushes until you decide if it’s worth investing more money into your passion for painting.

I began by watching YouTube videos. The variety of artists willing to share their craft is impressive. Whatever you feel like painting, there is usually a video to help you tap into your creative abilities.

Start out slow by just getting familiar with how the paints and water flow on the paper. There are specific techniques in painting, but making up some of your own isn’t the wrong style either.

Choose what interests you

I enjoy painting flowers of many kinds. Flowers usually require a round brush. The only way to get better at something is by first committing and then practicing.

Flowers and decorative plants increase positive energy levels and help people feel secure and peaceful. Keeping flowers around the home and in the workplace dramatically reduces a person’s stress levels.

I don’t have a green thumb, but after this past holiday season, I feel I should examine which plants are the easiest to grow. Although painting them wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

My amaryllis brought me a new level of awe:

What do you think?

Our inspiration to paint comes in many forms:

• From our own lives
• Being out in nature
• Looking at other art forms, including Youtube
• Daily work life
• Writing in a journal

Motivation to paint comes once we get the brush in our hands. Sitting around waiting until you are inspired doesn’t usually work. Action shapes art.

That’s a start

Starting something new can sometimes feel intimidating. It would help if you kept in mind that new things always keep things fresh. Every time you sit down to paint is an escape from your stress levels.

Chronic stress is taxing on your body and mind. Painting is very therapeutic. Your paintbrush will never boss you around. It’s your tool to an outlet of hope and a new beginning.

Don’t wait another day to seek a creative outlet. Your soul wants to express itself.

What do you think of my first project for the new year? What might you paint?

I want to share Katie Michaelson’s short story about her first watercolor painting inspired by a fantastic writer and artist, Susan Alison.

Please make sure to indulge in both of their work. They are both unique in their styles and always a delight.

I’ll leave you with trying new techniques to keep your goals fresh: