I was in my early forties when I first picked up a paintbrush. My oldest daughter came over to my place with some canvas boards, oil paints and paint brushes. I was immediately hooked! I had to put the paints away for a couple of years due to time and space limitations, then a huge depression took over. Now that I’m starting to feel better I’ve dug them out and have been working on developing some skills by watching videos and Bob Ross.
I have a small fortune in canvases that have been covered in gesso so many times they are now smooth and not really suitable for anything but practicing my brush strokes.
I have tried to do several paintings by following along and though I’ve improved, I’m still no Bob Ross and I do get discouraged from time to time. Sometimes I think I’ll never become an artist because I wasn’t able to do the painting as well as the artist was doing it on YouTube. My therapist pointed out that was global thinking and not at all helpful. The fact is I create art and that makes me an artist.
She reminded me the artists on YouTube are demonstrating styles and techniques they are well practiced at and comfortable with, just as I only share my “successful” paintings. They didn’t instantly become good at painting, they’ve had their share of failures. I keep this knowledge close and try again.
I’m even thinking of starting my own YouTube channel just so I can demonstrate that very point. My viewers could watch me try to do a painting over and over until I finally succeed in creating something beautiful….We’ll see what the future holds.
My Phoenix Rising 