what are you waiting for?

One night about two and a half years ago we were sitting around the dinner table talking about our day. Somehow the conversation evolved into what our dream jobs would be if we could do anything. I said I would love to be an artist and how much I would have loved to have gone to art school. My husband suggested that I should take some art classes if that’s something that would really fulfill me. So, the next day I started doing a little research and looking online for local classes and somehow stumbled upon various artist’s workshops. I had never even considered attending such a thing and would have felt completely inadequate being there. For some reason however, this one particular artist’s workshop peaked my interest and kept lingering in my mind. I went back to look into it again and it was sold out. Darn! I guess it was a silly idea anyway, not to mention it was in Colorado. 

About a month later I got an email newsletter from the artist (Jeanne Oliver) announcing she was opening up another weekend of this workshop, as it was in demand. Within an hour, I recruited a friend to sign up with me and next thing I knew we were booking our flights to Denver!

Fast forward a few months later to the morning of the workshop. I was a little nervous about painting with other people, but also SO excited to be there. I remember whispering to my friend 10 minutes into the 2-day workshop that I was sad it was almost over. I didn’t want to miss one second of soaking up all that this artist had to offer us.

On the second day after lunch we were given a large piece of watercolor paper and our assignment was to create a large painting using all of the techniques and tips that we had been practicing leading up to this moment. I remember feeling a little bit overwhelmed and worried that my painting might not amount to much. I dove in anyway and just let myself get completely wrapped up in the joy of the process. I wasn’t sure where it was going but I was having so much fun I almost didn’t care anymore...I was just in my happy place.

I think I was almost done with my painting when Jeanne came over and quietly asked me if I sell my art. I remember telling her “No! But that would be my dream!” She then said she would love to buy my painting if I would be willing to sell it to her. I’m pretty sure my response was all giggles and awkward (if you know me I’m sure that’s not a surprise). Surely she must have been kidding.

Long story short: She bought my painting. I cried.

Much later I found out that she had never done that before...and I cried some more. And it still makes me cry when I think about it.

This was a monumental moment for me. It made me think that maybe this is something I really could do and not just dream of doing. I continued to let the idea marinate for the next couple of months and slowly started sharing bits and pieces of my art on Instagram (which was terrifying and made me want to throw up after each post). Shortly after I started getting more comfortable with this idea, I found out my brother was diagnosed with brain cancer. Friends, nothing else convinces you that life is a precious gift than the thought of losing someone so dear to you. 

This was the final push I needed to go all in on living out my dream.

This painting that I created was a tiny pebble that started the avalanche of momentum I needed. Or maybe it was the conversation at dinner? Either way, I hope my story might inspire someone out there to be brave and follow their dreams, whatever they may be.