Never Give Up!

5 years ago I listened to my heart and decided that this "dream" I had, to make a difference through my artwork, needed to be more than just a dream. I say that as if I had a choice, because the urge to take action was so strong, I had to literally and figuratively, had to make space for this passion project in my life. And without any idea if I could make it happen.

I hadn't painted in about 10 years, and I didn't have any supplies, or space. So I went to the store, bought a basic set, cleared space in the garage and got to work. In the past I always struggled to have inspiration for my paintings, it was a struggle to start a painting, but this was different. I saw exactly the face I needed to paint.

Layer upon layer went down, and with patient diligence, the colors started to show me something that resembled what I saw in my head. For Madu the Rhino, it was over 3 years of working on him on and off before I felt he was "finished."

The more of my animal friends that surfaced, the more I realized I needed to create more time and space in my life for this project if I wanted to see anything come of it. It took years of just following my instinct to make this all happen before "The Lost Painter" was hatched. The idea that I was finding myself the more I lost myself to my creative flow. The more I chose to be in this space of "surrendering to the process."

The Lost Painter actually wants to get lost, wants to find her way through the dark, to be in a space where she doesn't feel alone, even when no one else is around. Through the process of becoming the Lost Painter, I realized I was actually building a home, no a castle, within myself.

I am eager to take this project out into Nature. To get lost in her arms, while I paint and dance, and meet new places within myself, be sure to follow my instagram account to see what mischief I manage to get into along the way.

Now that it's here I look back and remember so many moments it felt like everything was so far away; how it would be so hard to come to fruition. Yet steadily, one step after another, I created success. And it wasn't because I launched this project finally, but because to me, my success came in the little moments, over and over, each time I chose to not give up my dream. All of those times I chose to move this forward no matter what storms moved through my life, no matter what lack of support, belief, or doubts came my way (silent or loud). My success is choosing what feels right, not always what feels the safest. So I stand here very proud of my success, even before I ever sell single item.

I hope that my work speaks to your heart, waking a call to action you can feel proud about. That you too, want to make an impact, just by being you.