“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18 There are about a million things that would prevent one to do something remarkable. I would say two of the biggest things is a flat out excuse...and fear. I have come up against fear many times. It is becoming much more noticeable than it used to. And I can call it out more easily, praise God. Would you be able to list out a few big things that you have wanted to do in your life time? You know..those things that you could only do if you stepped out and made yourself vulnerable? Made yourself a target for ridicule, criticism or embarrassment? Some would go their whole lives never achieving their dreams or even one of them. It is sad to say fear prevents them. I resolved in my heart that fear will not rule me. There have been lots of circumstances that would tell me I cannot do it. Do what? Pursue a dream. For me, multiple dreams. I have really really big dreams. Dreams that scare me. In a good way. I am challenged by things that scare me. My husband and I travel the world to very intimidating places. Occupied nations...where soldiers carry around AR's and point them in your face simply because they want you to know they are in charge. We go however because there are people who need help. That's another blog though... I'm just saying that now to illustrate for you that I have faced fear on the front lines. So...painting....ahh yes, to the subject of painting. Let me say this: there are more people on this planet that have talent than you could imagine. Multitudes of people have talent. From a young age I was told from professionals...if you want to make it in the art world, your talent won't get you there. How you market yourself as an artist will get you there. OH MAN. Y'all...I'm technically an introvert (as with most artists). But I LOVE people. And that has pushed me out of my comfort zone many times. Fear would tell me that I should not put my work out into the world. That I really should just keep my little talent in my kitchen or my studio...for myself and my family. But I love to share what I have been given. Actually I don't really deem my “talent” as mine. When God gives me something I say “do with it Lord what You will, it has simply been lent to me for Your glory”. That's true for every blessing in my life... from my kids to my car. Moving along here... I have been so blessed to have collectors come along side me to support me in my artistic journey. I have been blessed to be a part of an amazing gallery. About 6 years ago I was TERRIFIED of putting my work out into the world to sell it. I didn't even dream of plein air painting where anyone could come up and watch me paint something from life. Talk about the most vulnerable place as an artist... the first time I set up my easel at La Jolla shores to plein air paint with the crowds surrounding me I was repeating in my head a thousand times “you are an idiot you look so stupid. Fold your tripod up RIGHT NOW.” But I didn't, and guess what? My painting was terrible lol. Why? Probably because FEAR was ruling my painting! Come on, that will preach. But WOW...now I have people coming up to me asking to buy the painting right off my easel. It's because fear tries to come steal the experience...but I can recognize it and say “get lost ya big dummy I'm tryin to paint a masterpiece here.” Does that sound cocky? Maybe...but years ago I went out with the mentality of “I'm just going to try to paint something decent to make this experience a good one.” And what did I come up with? Something less than mediocre. Now I say, “I'm going out to paint something spectacular.” And what do I come up with most of the time now? Something a whole lot better than what was my mediocre. I'm not saying I'm the best...but had fear ruled my every experience, I wouldn't have any fun paintings to show for. Don't ever allow the fear of experiences from the past that didn't turn out how you expected to rule your future experiences. Be blessed!