Embracing imperfections

Just As I am - 8 x 9 Acrylic on paper 2023

Contact Jenn for pricing and details.

This year has had some very unique challenges for me creatively speaking. In October, I went to Pennsylvania for an artist residency and I returned feeling creatively blocked and dissatisfied with everything I painted.

As I’ve been working through what I’m now realizing is a ”creative plateau”, I’ve been learning so much. It’s been the toughest time I’ve experienced in my creative journey.

Looking back, I can see I’ve hit creative plateaus before, and the result of working through them has always led to my work improving or ‘leveling up’. Sometimes they have steered me in completely new directions. I doubt that will happen this time because painting feels like part of my DNA - an integral part of my purpose on earth.

A lot of the work I’ve been creating since coming home from the residency looks muddy, undefined, and confusing. What I realized today is it’s a metaphor for my life right now. I have more time than I’ve ever had to create and a lot of ideas about what I could paint. I can use either acrylic or oil paint. The possibilities are practically endless. And it’s overwhelming. Paralyzing at times. I’m reminded that we need structure to have freedom. This aligns with what I believe spiritually and is a valuable lesson to revisit.

For months now I’ve had a deep desire to paint more authentically and I don’t know what that looks like yet. I also have the desire to share more openly about the behind-the-scenes process of painting and living as a deeply spiritual and creative person.

My fear is that in sharing more vulnerably, I will lose my audience.

I’ve decided the journey is too important not to share. I’m going to share more of the ‘bad and ugly’, which is an important part of the creative process. The reality is the ‘good’ can sometimes be a long time coming.

I wonder if this little painting I created today is a promise of greater things to come as I continue to surrender and trust the process even more.

Journal prompt: What might you consider doing to live more authentically? Are there things you might share with others that could inspire them, even if they might require you to be more vulnerable in sharing the less-than-perfect parts of your journey and experiences? It would be amazing if we could work together to bring more honesty and freedom into the World in 2023.

As always, I’d love to hear from you!

Blessings and peace to you today! xo Jenn