Taking a Risk

I haven't done anything for awhile so I wanted to just check in. I sent in samples of my work to Recycled Paper Greetings last week. It generally takes three weeks to hear anything. It can be very difficult to experience rejection from someone. The best way I deal with it is to utilize a quote that Van Gogh used: "If a voice says that you can't paint, by all means paint and that voice will be silenced." I have been very fortunate with my work, most of the time it sells. When I have entered juried shows my work has usually been accepted. When I first started framing my work, the work sold. I'd like to say I know why, but I don't. It just does. I'd like to think for me it is a spiritual thing, send the work out into the world, and witness the good that comes back to you. It takes great courage to send your work out. It is a faith thing. You are risking a part of yourself. Some paint for money. Some paint because it is the only thing they've ever wanted to do and they feel as if they are sending their children off for the first time. . Art is definitely a spiritual gift that will get you in touch with Something Bigger than you. I don't know how Klee or Miro or Dubuffet sent their work out for the first time.  All painted in a way that was almost childlike. Yet they spoke to something inside each one of us that says, I can do that. It takes courage to risk sharing something so personal of yourself. Take a risk. God bless. Dale