Everyone who paints regularly knows that, on some level, painting means going willingly into the unknown.
To put it like that seems a little exciting. Romantic, even.
But uncertainty is anything but romantic.
It’s uncomfortable. It means constantly facing the spectre of failure, and sometimes living with it when it happens. Fear is not fun.
So why do we do it?
I’m sure we all have a different combination of reasons for showing up repeatedly at the easel despite the knowledge that we will often fail.
Or even more often, only partially succeed, and almost always walk away feeling that we could – perhaps should – have done better.
Perhaps we do it because it’s so embedded in our narrative of ourselves, the story that we tell ourselves about who we are, that we can’t not do it.
Perhaps we do it because if we didn’t at least try, that would be a greater failure to us.
I think we must manage to convince ourselves that something good will come of the attempt, even if the painting bombs. That gradually, over time, we will learn and improve.
And most of the time, I do believe we will.
An uncertain business
There is another field of human endeavour that’s a lot like painting in this regard. It’s a lot like starting and running a small business.
It may seem that the two don’t have much in common, but no matter how resistant we might be to seeing ourselves that way, that’s what an indpendent artist is. Someone running a small business.
It’s not a bad thing and it’s not ‘inartistic’. The two aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s just the reality of working as an independent artist.
Unless you’re happy making art only with the limited free time you have from some other job (I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, by the way) or you don’t need to support yourself or anyone else financially, then you’ll have to look at some parts of what you do as a business.
I spend part of my time now helping people to build an online presence.
Not just for likes and shares, but so that artists can begin to take advantage of the opportunities that the Internet affords us to circumvent the traditional gallery system, and perhaps also to thrive independently, as artists in our own right.
Thriving as an independent artist means, basically, running a small business.
What do being an artist and running a small business have in common?
It’s mostly this: That when you start out on something, be it a painting or a new idea for your business, or the whole of the business itself, you have no idea whether what you’re planning is going to work out or not.
Often it won’t. More often, it will only partially work out.
And the stakes are very much higher with a small business than they are with a painting.
Still, you have to do it anyway. Because when it comes down to it, that’s how you move forward.
My Project for 2020
For this year, I have in mind something that has me scared.
I don’t know if it will work out or not. There’s a big financial risk that frankly is already keeping me awake some nights, and I’ve barely started.
I’m going to set up a full time teaching studio.
There, I said it. Now everyone knows.
Why am I scared? Well, it’s not just the financial comitment of having to cover rent on a working space – although that has me worried enough!
It also means a big change.
It means moving my workspace out of the house, and not being around the kids so much – perhaps not being able to support them as much with their school work. Certainly seeing less of them every day.
I’ve also become quite comfortable in my lovely home studio. That comfort might be reason enough to make a change in itself, but it makes it harder to make the leap.
And there are other things that will probably make it harder.
As you probably know, I’ve been carrying a disease around with me for a while. That’s not much of an issue in itself, and I know that lots of you out there do too. We just deal with it. But the medications I take frequently leave me exhausted and unable to work much, sometimes for days at a time. That amplifies the risk.
Also – and I’m not particularly comfortable talking about this – my wife has recently been diagnosed with cancer. She’s strong, and fighting it, and it was caught early. There’s a very good chance that she’ll come through it relatively unscathed.
But still it gives me pause. Her treatment is exhausting. Our kids are still young, and as any parent of young children knows, that’s demanding enough as it is. Remember that part about not being at home as much? I’ll need to find a way to do this and be present more, not less, with the kids. My wife will need a lot of support through the next few months, both practical and emotional.
So why am I doing it when there seems to be so many reasons NOT to do it, when so much seems to be likely to contribute to it NOT working out, when frankly it seems downright irresponsible to go ahead?
For one thing, I’m sure that it’s the same as it is with painting. I’d feel more of a failure if I didn’t try it at all.
But the motivation isn’t all negative.
Connecting to your purpose
If we’re quiet and still for long enough, spend some time alone, away from all our distractions and just think, I believe that the things that are really important to us will bubble to the surface.
That’s why I get up early every day and spend a little time alone with my journal. Writing things out helps me think. The solitude is essential.
I taught a couple of workshops last year, one of them that I organised and ran locally myself, and I’ve discovered that I love teaching. More than I thought I would. I mean, I really love it.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I feel strongly about it because it connects to my purpose. That purpose is to share what I learn – to try to help other people in my situation, although at an earlier stage, to avoid many of the stumbling blocks that kept me from making progress. Numerous studies do not confirm a higher incidence of mental disorders in patients taking Accutane compared to patients with acne who do not take it. However, this does not negate the likelihood of a small number of patients who experience the negative effects of retinoids on the psyche. There is more information on the site .
Teaching is tiring, certainly. But paradoxically, I also find it incredibly energising. Inspiring. It feels right to me.
And just as when we’re at the easel, we need to be strong enough to follow our feelings about the direction we should take (whether the people that we know agree or not) I think I need to follow my feelings in this. It feels like it’s what I’m meant to be doing.
Overcoming the fear of making a start
At the moment I’m right at the beginning of this plan. I’m still looking for the right premises to rent.
Sometimes the fear of just starting can send us off into procrastination and time wasting. For me, that usually results in endless, needless planning for eventualities I know I can’t actually control.
So to help me make sure I get moving, I thought it would be interesting, possibly fun and almost definitely valuable and instructive to go through the process of setting up my studio publicly – just as I have with learning to paint.
So I’m going to be updating the blog here regularly with progress as I go. Over the coming weeks, I’ll lay out my plan for how I intend to teach (it’s a little different than approaches I often see) and I’ll let you know what works out and what doesn’t.
I know I have a lot to learn.
I’ll probably need some new skills that I don’t have yet and I’m excited to learn more about how to teach effectively.
I hope I’ll be able to make a more meaningful contribution, individually and also in a broader context to the resurgence of skilled painting.
I’m pretty sure I’ll grow personally too – I’m pretty sure I’ll have to.
So yes, I’m scared. But I’m trying to remember that it probably means I’m doing something right.
Your 2020
One thing I’d like to ask you now is this:
Do you know what your purpose is?
It might not be immediately clear. It problably won’t be definite. Something so important is rarely simple and obvious.
If you’re really not sure what your purpose is, scheduling some daily alone time to think might be a good place to start.
It’s not difficult to make plans. The hard part is carrying them through, and that’s much more likely to happen if what you’re attempting resonates with you at a deep level.
Whatever it is, don’t wait to feel sure about it, because that day will never come.
We have to take the leap anyway, carrying our uncertainty, our insecurities, our personal failings and idiosyncrasies, our fear – carrying all of that baggage with us.
It is hard. Like painting.
So please feel free to share what you think your own purpose may be here in the comments. Perhaps we can all come back at the end of the year and see how we’ve done with connecting our actions to what we really feel.
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you the very best in the coming year. I’m not going to wish you success in your endeavours, I’m going to wish you success in knowing your purpose and following it.
Thanks for reading,
Paul
Wow, congrats on such a big leap! That is so inspiring. I wish you all the best. I’m looking forward to seeing the progress on the blog.
Thanks Sarah!
You, and your artist’s life, are inspiring! You communicate very well. I expect that your new studio and classes will be very successful, both for you and for the students who are lucky enough to learn from you on site!
Thank you Peach 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful new year.
Paul,
I somehow found your blog when it was only days old. I have been quietly out here for the entire time. You have been very good at detecting what skill you most need next and then developing it. I have no doubt that, despite the inevitable bumps, you will do so again. And your children will learn from it too.
Blessings on you and your wife and your kids as we start the next swing around the sun.
Pamela
Wow. That’s about 15 years now, I think. Thank you Pamela. I sincerely hope it will be a good for the kids too, as well. At least they will get to see that there are other ways to approach this big life thing than they might otherwise see. Whether it will be a good example or not, well, we’ll have to see 🙂
Love this big step Paul , careful not to equate success with being a good example. How you deal with failure will be always as important as successes maybe even more so. Not that I wish failure for you , no the exact opposite , and I will be praying for you and your family. Also I hope teaching in your new studio will include online lessons.
Sincere Blessings for 2020.
Craig
Very wise Craig, thank you!
Yes, I’ll continue to stream – perhaps more so. One of my requirements is fast Internet 🙂
Wow! I’m so happy to hear of your intent and so sad to learn of your wife’s diagnosis. You’re both in my2020 prayers.
Thanks very much Karlene. I hope you have a great 2020.
Happy New Year to you and the family Paul
I’m looking forward to following your project. I’m sure it will be a success ☘️
Thanks for the vote of confidence Judy! Time will tell 🙂
A very happy new year to you too.
Congrats on your decision Paul, also so very sorry to hear about you wife. I hope all goes well for her.
Your decision to go down the teaching route was inevitable. You are a gifted teacher already and anyone who attends live classes with you will benefit enormously from your experience and knowledge. I wish you every success for the future and will follow your blog with interest.
Kindest regards,
Christopher.
Thank you Christopher!
Good Morning Paul,
You’re a natural teacher (they are born, not made, BTW)! And you’re good at it – very good. I am actually a bit giddy at the moment just thinking about coming to your studio in England for workshops. Will look forward to updates. Sending good, strong thoughts to your wife as she returns to good health. If your studio is close by your home, the children will be there and we all will look forward to meeting them!
2020 is the year of art!
Best Wishes,
Trudy
Thanks so much Trudy. It means a lot to me to hear that as I’m embarking on this, you give me heart!
Happy New Year from San Francisco, California. So happy I made time on this hectic January 1st to quietly and fully read your post. Lots to ponder here – beyond art. Who knew finding one’s purpose would be a lifelong endeavor.
Exactly Fran, who knew? But it really is.
I hope you have a great year.
Hello Fran and Paul!
I’m reading the blog from San Fran too! It would be nice to meet up for coffee and talk art!
Paul, best of luck in your new venture. I ran a cooking school out of my house for 16 years and got great joy from that.
I look forward to coming over in the Summer and hopefully taking a class!
Best wishes,
Mel
The thought of people living close to each other and meeting up through a website from the other side of the world really is inspiring!
Thanks Mel. I do hope we get to meet some time over the next year! I’ll be posting the workshop schedule I’m thinking about soon, and it will be open for feedback. Hopefully there will be something in there that you really want to do – and if not you can let me know 🙂
Hi Paul,
What you’ve written is beautiful and what you have set out to do is inspiring. Even if we don’t know each other your work creates a connection between you and ‘us’. I wish you all the best in your endeavour.
Regards,
Astha
Thank you so much Astha. That, too, was beautiful.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. While reading it I remembered Goethe’s poem about beginnings – that they are bold and powerful and have genius…
Wishing you, your family and your new endeavors the very very best for 2020 and beyond.
I wish I had a teacher like you near where I live ( Usa, Philadelphia)
Anyway,
Thx for the inspiration!
Kindly,
Clauds
Well, that’s an inspiring thought Clauds, thank you! I wish you the very best too. And you never know, I may be coming over to the US in the not too distant future – in fact I plan to, although I’m not sure where yet.
I must say, your work is astonishing, and beautiful.
A great post as usual. I was sorry to hear your wife has cancer. A scary time for you all. My husband recovered from throat cancer a few years ago but I still have nightmares about him having had cancer. When we discovered he had cancer I refused to stop or postpone all our plans as I believed having a purpose gave our lives another focus other than the cancer. I think your teaching studio could be just the distraction you need, as well as an amazing challenge. I look forward to reading about your progress. My challenge in 2020 is to both teach painting from my studio in my new home in Devon and to take my painting to the next level (whatever that is). Good luck Paul!!
Thanks Allison. Actually Michelle has her own plan for a business of her own, and you’ve just reminded me how important it will be for her to be able to focus on that, at lsaet some of the time, as we move through this.
I wish you the very best of luck too! Devon is lovely, my sister lives there, in Sidmouth, and we visit sometimes – perhaps we’ll get to have a coffee some time.
Excellent post about your exciting project Paul, very inspiring. From what I’ve seen of your work so far, I feel very confident that you will make this work and look forward to following you as you do so. Best wishes for 2020 and beyond to you and your family Paul.
Thank you Adrian, and the very best to you too!
Always inspiring! I’m sure you’ll succeed, you’re doing it for all the right reasons, we’re talking about making a trip to the UK and I was thinking it would be cool to take a class with you, good luck!
Thanks Lynn, you would be most welcome! It’s also very pretty around here and is a lovely place to visit 🙂
Paul,
I have been where you are in almost every instance. You are are remarkably well suited to deal with all these challenges. My husband is in cancer treatment now, I am a cancer survivor and a painter and teacher. I agree, teaching is great because of the sharing, the interaction with like-minded people and for what it teaches the teacher. You are and will be a wonderful teacher. Very best wishes to you and your family and for the full recovery of your wife.
Sincerely,
Lilli Pell
Thank you Lilli, and may I return your good wishes, especially for your husband.
And yes, I agree. From the teaching I’ve done so far, I’ve learned a huge amount. It’s addictive 🙂
So inline with my thoughts and goals for my self. Not that I am renting out space to teach but run my art as a business, paint, take on commissions and work a 4o hr job.
Hardwork but also exciting and challeging.
Thank you for this email, and wishing you much success.
Community we need it~
Happy New Year,
Tracy Pollock
Yes that’s a lot to take on Tracy. Doing all of those those things on top of a full time job won’t be easy! But I started out that way, setting up my first online teaching program around a full time job and adopting two kids. It can be done!
But don’t do what I did and please remember to take breaks when your body tells you it needs them! I’m still trying to learn that lesson actually!
I hope you have a great 2020 too.
Best of luck, hard work and energy to accomplish it all, Paul. Almost 40 years ago, I was forced due to circumstances to “choose” going into business. It was scary, because women were not equal to men in the business arena, but by the grace of God I went. My decision was cushioned by the idea that I could always do “something else” if I failed. But I didn’t. And later, I did have many challenges which has made staying in business for myself a challenge. (like 2 decades of health challenges and surgeries.) My belief system incorporates the principal of “duality.” So there is inherent always a struggle between what we see as success (happiness) and that of hardship (challenges) along the way. So, I guess it doesn’t matter what you choose – no path is free of the two sides of the coin (IMHO). So go for it and best of luck!!!! (on EVERYTHING!) <3.
Thank you Lori. You know, I think I’ve probably learned more and grown more through the hardships I’ve had to face through this journey than the successes. Which is not to say I particularly want more of them! But I’ve no doubt what you’ve been through and what you’ve learned about yourself through all those struggles to keep going has made you a stronger and wiser person. I hope you have a grate year.
Oh, Paul…this news has finally come!! I knew it was inevitable. The best of luck, and I know you will succeed. Look how you have succeeded so far!!!
My prayers go out to your wife. We now live in a time full of medical miracles and sometimes catching these nasty things is the first miracle!! All the best to her, to you and to those wonderful, sweet children you have.
I taught art for 4 years and just retired from it this past fall. It was scary at first not knowing if I knew enough; would people ask me questions I couldn’t answer, or ask me to show them something I had never attempted myself! And they did, and I surprised myself at how confidently I answered or showed my skills. After 4 years I was totally relaxed, enjoying every minute of my teaching and loving my students (a lot of whom have become personal friends). Unfortunately, I got old (72 now) and I’m tired! But my own artwork has now come to a whole new meaning in my life and the freedom I have been feeling and expressing has hit an all time high. With a new confidence, I no longer look at a white piece of watercolour paper with that horror of starting. The fear has gone! I am into Collage, molding gels, coloured pencils…stuff I have never done before. It’s exhilarating and I’ve never been happier!! So go for your dream. Something will ALWAYS be around the corner to fowl your plans, but don’t let it happen. Everyone is faced with what you are facing now, whether it be large or small.
The best of luck to you and especially your dear wife. Charge onward and I know you will make the journey a success!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!
Thanks for sharing that Bronwen, you give me heart. And it sounds like you’ve come to a very wonderful place through teaching. A very happy new year to you too!
Paul… many of us read your words and are inspired by them…25 responses (so far) are just the tip of the iceberg. We do this because your talents are great…both art and teaching. We admire the artist but also the person. My prayers are with you and your family in the new year. I know you will achieve successful outcomes. Happy 2020. I look forward to hearing good news and enjoying your painting tutorials.
Thank you so much Linda. I hope you have a wonderful year too.
You are an inspiration! I admire your thoughtfulness and willingness to share. I look forward to your future posts. Thank you and have a happy and healthful 2020!
Thank you Priscilla! May you have a wonderful 2020 too!
Thank you for sharing this with us Paul and I know you will do great! Your work already makes a big difference to people all across the world including me here in Sitka, Alaska! I’m happy for you and I know you will continue to help others with this choice you have made to expand your horizons. And don’t be scared, it’s just nerves of excitement!
Alaska! That’s amazing. There is definitely excitement too – that’s the part I’m trying to focus on 🙂
Have a great new year Tim.
Happy New You!
I hope all goes well with your wife’s treatment.
And if there is any wee thing at all that I can do to help with your adventure, you know where I am
:))
Oh don’t worry, I shall be on the phone/email regularly bothering you for advice! You’ve already given me so much – including getting me started in teaching workshops in the first place. Not to mention all the advice you’ve already given me. Thank you.
Looking forward to being regularly ‘bothered’!!
Happy New Year Paul
How exciting and inspiring but also what a natural evolution to start your own teaching studio. Every good fortune and success. I’m sure you will do well.
Please do pass my best wishes on to your wife for her treatment. I’m a great believer in positive energy and although I do not know her I do know of her in the way you bring your life into your teaching.
With my very best wishes and I hope very soon, my next Blog! Still such an uphill battle but what a creative mirror they are.
Thanks Marilyn. Yes, it does feel like a natural evolution – I hope it works out that way!
And thank you so much for those kind thoughts. that’s very touching.
Oh, and I have got your email and will reply shortly – I’ve been busy writing this blog post for the last few days! Yes, they really are a kind of mirror. I’ve learned so much about myself just through the process of writing blogs for fifteen years or so. That may be one of the biggest benefits of it.
Paul,
You are such an inspiration! I also have been following you quietly as I just lost my husband of 42 years after a 5 year battle with cancer.
My purpose this year is to pursue my love of painting and to finally market what I produce. Thanks for all your great teaching to help me with those goals.
I look forward to learning with you in 2020. Good luck on your new venture and prayers for you and your family!
Kathy, I’m so sorry. I can’t begin to imagine what you must be going through. If there’s anything I can do to help you follow your purpose this year, let me know. You still have access to the Mastering Colour course of course, so just let me know if I can help with you with any of that. You have my email address, please feel free to get in touch.
And I hope you can find what you need to rebuild through this year.
Greetings, Paul. You will be a great success. You are an excellent and thoughtful teacher already. You communicate well in writing and on video, better than average in my opinion. I look forward to learning more about your offerings.
Thank you Pat! I’ll be sharing more about it all very soon 🙂
Thank you, Paul. For your courage, and openness, and thoughtfulness… All of it. When you have your studio, I will come. Over the continent and over the pond. I am looking forward to all that the journey entails. Onward!!
Wonderful Kim, thank you for the vote of confidence. I’ll look forward to meeting you!
Paul,
A christmas gift from my Father in law contains this gem:
As you go the way of life you will see a great chasm.
Jump.
It is not as wide as you think.
– Native American Proverb
From Into the Abyss by Carol Shaben, a true story of the crash of Wapiti 402 in the Canadian wilderness and the repercussions of that event.
Best wishes on your new ventures.
Marvelous quote! I will remember it. Thank you.
Your are already a natural teacher so I hope that you can find a good studio and teaching space and begin. Fatigue with medical conditions and other stresses need to managed by being peaceful and calm but I am confident that you can do it. Happy new decade.
Thank you so much Robyn. I’ll try for that peace and calmness and I know you’re right, but it isn’t always easy with two crazy young boys about the house!
Happy new year to you.
Paul,
I love your encouragement and knowing that you have set your goals now, will make it a success in which ever path it goes.
To answer your question, my purpose now, today and the future is to enjoy family as best as I can while we get through this hurdle of life.
best to you and all,
Cindy
Thank you Cindy. I think that’s a wonderful guiding purpose for this year.
Hi Paul, first I would like to wish you the best for 2020 with blessings for each day and much success with your career and new goals. Second, I wish you and your wife better times together and you and your family are in my daily prayers.
You are such an inspiration with a well of wisdom to pass on to others.
I lost my husband of 33.5 years of marriage to cancer. He battled for seven years. I’m slowly recovering and learning to live a new life. I’m a self taught oil painter artist and my husband was my number one supporter. Last year I decided to continue painting to honor his support and what I love to do. Life issues gets on the way but for this year I have decided I want to continue painting and gift my paints to people who over the years have given me much support and who have encouraged me to continue with painting. It is relaxing and I feel I’m in another world away from all distractions.
Last but not least, I thank you for your honesty, your willingness to share with us your struggles and successes. I admire you so much.
Blessings and best wishes.
I’m sorry to hear that Crisalida. I thinks that’s a very fitting and touching tribute to your husband, and one I’m sure he would appreciate.
Thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful year.
Congratulations and best wishes to you and your family. I think it’s great and you will be very successful. I wanted to be an artist 20 years ago and never would even try for fear that I couldn’t do it. Now I’m mad at myself for not walking out in faith and Just simply trying to learn how instead of just pushing the thought back further in my mind. I now am 70 and have only been painting for about 5 years and love every minute I’m painting. So all that said I admire you for stepping into this endeavor and I know you will make it work. I watch your live facebooks every chance I can and read your blogs. I have learned so much in doing that so thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills. My best wishes to you and your family and prayers for your wife that she can come through this diagnosis above and beyond what she ever expected and it will all be good. Again thank you.
Exactly Joan, I have similar regrets from the earlier part of my life. I know how you feel. So I won’t tell you to ignore them and just look forward.
But I do think we can use them for fuel to help propel us into whatever we’re attempting now more powerfully. And I do wish that for you 🙂
I hope you have a great year.
Happy New Year, Paul, and thank you for the beautiful and inspiring piece of writing. I feel excited and happy for your teaching plans and pray that it all works out for you before too long. Also, your wife’s speedy recovery will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so glad to have you as a guide to listening to one’s heart, especially in regards to life as an artist. You have inspired me to continue to put in more hours at the easel and move more fully from “part-timer” status to making art more of a vocation. Thank you for all that you do.
Wow, that’s amazing Michael. I could wish for nothing more. Thank you so much!
Dear Paul! I’m so sorry about your wife, but please tell her to not let fear have any place in her life! Besides the grace of God that is obviously on the two of you… the treatments for cancer are now so advanced it will surprise you. if she gets sick with treatments there’s a cheap pill for stomach pain that will let her sleep through the sickness. As for your teaching… it’s about time! you’ve been doing it for so many for so long, including me! Because of your help, I was able to sell paintings that helped me during my chemo! It’s been hard returning to painting since my gallbladder surgery but I’m working on it! I finally feel hopeful! Paul, you are the most gifted artist I’ve ever known! You are going to do great with the Studio! I wish I could be a part of it! My prayers for you and your family my dear friend!
Thank you Helen. I know you’ve had many struggles too, and it’s inspiring to see you still going despite them.
I hope you have a wonderful year. Keep pushing.
Life has a habit of throwing curveballs at us and it looks like it’s thrown (another) one at you and your wife. Words are paltry things and of little use at a time like this. But having your support is sure to make the process less distressing for her. Good on you for being brave and taking the plunge into full time teaching. You’re a natural teacher (and they are fairly rare!). I just hope you can still find time to paint for yourself, once things settle down.
Oh I will still be painting Jenny – I can’t imagine teaching effectively without painting too.
When I say full time studio, I mean one I have permanently, rather than having to find a venue every time I want to teach a workshop – that part was a pain!
I will absolutely still be splitting my time between painting and teaching.
Thank you so much for you kind words, you give me much encouragement.
Go for it Paul. Don’t regret the steps you didn’t take.
Thank you Gerard, I will!
What a lovely, honest and I’m sure inspiring post. I wish you every success with this venture!
Thanks Angela!
Dear Paul,
All the comments above have already said it, but I’ll add my bit: you are a true inspiration to so many people, and your caring heart comes through clearly in you videos, blog posts, Threads…teaching live classes is a natural progression and I’m sure you’ll be a great success at it! I taught for 10 years, and teaching art to people who love it gives back much more than it takes., exhausting as it is! Are there perhaps community studio spaces or schools that you could join with? Might be less expensive than on your own? The universe so often sends what we need!
My thoughts are with you during a challenging time, and I wish the very best for you and your wife as you surmount those challenges!
Fondly, Shelley
That’s a lovely thought Shelley, and I very much appreciate you adding it! Thank you.
I’m looking into possibilities t the monent for spaces, I have considered something like that. But I really need somewhere I can have permanently set up. At the last workshop, I had to take everything down and then put it back up again every day, it was frustrating, tiring and limiting.
That’s why I’m planning a bigger leap into renting a permanent space. That’s the scary part 🙂
I know you will find the energy you need to sustain you and your family. You can only give from a glass that is filing up and I know there is a sustainable divine source of love and energy to keep our vessels strong when we take a leaps of faith to become our better selves.
Thank you Beth!
You are an excellent teacher. You are so real. Thank you for putting yourself out there so we can learn and be inspired. Best wishes for your success. And continual health and prosperity for you and your family. Keep it up Paul. You have made a wonderful support network. We are rooting for you!
Thank you Darcy, what a lovely thing to say!
Al the best for you too, have a wonderful year.
Dear Paul,
Wish you all the best for your new endeavour! Success will come automatically to you, as you do, what you love to do. With your passion about art, consistency and strong will, who can stop you? I hope, the sudden difficult circumstance that you are facing, will only make you stronger. I wish your wife a very speedy recovery. If you ever consider alternative cure (ayurveda) to cancer, and fight out the disease you are carrying for long, please do message me personally. Will share information about VADU (Vitality and Auxiliary Dietary Unit) as a cure for cancer along with other known/unknown diseases.
You new studio will be brilliant! New place, new students (and old ones) and a new you!
Wish you and your family a very positive year filled with love, hope and prosperity.
Love,
Baishakhi
Thanks Baishakhi, I’ll look into it – we are already making dietary changes. Mostly we’re focused on a primarily plant-based diet (my wife is already vegan) and eating only whole foods as much as possible. It’s a challenge, especially with kids, but we’re getting there slowly!
I hope you have a wonderful year too 🙂
Truly inspiring. So glad I read your blog, as a painter /print maker I am giving myself such a hard time, really questioning the purpose of it all and wondering should I continue, but I will. Thanks for sharing your experience, and wish you every success in your endeavours and for your wife.
Yes, continue Donna. It is always worth the effort it takes to keep going.
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
– William Stafford.
Hello Paul, I have followed you for at least 2 to 3 years now. I run a classical atelier and what I will tell you is, there are many good things about it like passing on the tradition and watching student artists grow into working professionals. The one big down side is, it can become a huge obstacle in you do your own work. You might have a better system but it can really take time away from you which is a huge sacrifice for any artist. My hat of to you. You have been teaching for quite some time now, so if this is your desire, I want to encourage you. Take care, Michael.
Yes, I’m expecting that to be a challenge. It’s one I already feel with the amount of online stuf I do, and I know this will take more time away from painting. I’m hoping I can find some kind of a balance that works but I’m expecting the frustration continue!
I also feel it in reverse – that painting keeps me from devoting all my time to being hte best teacher I can be. I guess we’re doomed to always feel compromised in some way, but I think the the trade off is worth it.
Paul – you were born to teach.
I have already learnt so much from you – I just wished you lived closer!
You are extremely thorough and give so much of yourself – both as an art teacher and as a kind and giving human being. Best wishes for your new project which I believe will be a roaring success.
Tess
Thank you Tess! That’s praise indeed and I’m very grateful for your kind words.
I wish you all the best with everything you have planned for this year.
Best wishes to you and your family in the new year, and thank you for
the Mastering Colour mixing course it has been so helpful for me.
Now I know how to mix paint, this year I plan to complete all of the painting exercises, and assignments from Francis Becon’s free resources:
LOOK, THINK, EXPLORE and DEEPENING THE GAME
https://www.francis-bacon.com/bacons-world/scholarship-education/education-material
1965 Francis Bacon – Lost Interview With Francis Bacon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbYstSBSB_U
Happy colour mixing!
Thanks Fay! I’m SO happy to hear that the mixing course has helped you move forward. Thanks also for hte links, I’ll have a look.
Hi Paul,
I wish you every success with your new plan. I have a painting friend who made the same committment you are making to teaching. She is able to have a studio in her home for working when she has to sandwich it in between kids and other committments and also, have a teaching studio away from home with set days that work with her schedule. She did this on a very tight budget of both money and time. Taking a “both/and” approach instead of an “either/or” approach has really worked for her, so I wanted to share that with you.
I was a professor of nursing for many years. I loved teaching and still do. The VERY best book I ever read about teaching ( and I’ve read many) is by Parker J. Palmer, “To Know As We Are Known: Education as Spiritual Journey”. I can’t recommend it enough. His later book, “The Courage to Teach” is also very good.
I wish you and your wife much success as she traverses the difficult terrain of cancer treatment and as you travel on that journey with her. So much can be done these days especially with early intervention.
My painting goal this year is to be fearless, to explore new directions, and to avoid putting absurd limits on myself for no good reason. A bad habit I have…used to have. 🙂
Thnaks Honey, the “both/and” approach sounds like it might be good to try! And thanks for the book recommendation. I’ve had a look at the reviews and it looks very interesting. I’m certainly going ot be looking to deepen my kowledge of teaching, especially teaching adults, so anything liek that is very useful to me.
I love your goals for this year.
Your students will be very, very fortunate! Best of luck on finding the perfect studio. I’m so sorry to hear about your wife and send all my wishes that you and your wife will be restored to full health! I am looking forward to following your progress on this new phase!
Thank you Cecelia! More updates to come soon (today, if I can get this blog post finished 🙂 )
There, I said it. Now everyone knows.
Well done Paul.
Very thoughtful and meaningful words
All the best for an exciting year for you and your wife
Thanks Richard, I hope you have a good year too.