Learning to Be Seen
June 5th paint and sip: Wildflower Meadows + How teaching art classes helped me overcome stage fright and why creating matters more than ever.
When I started collaborating with The Painthouse Art & Sip and leading art workshops this spring, I had no idea how much the experience would grow me beyond my artistic practice.
I have grown especially in lessening my fear of stage fright. Each class has brought in a new group of people each session that I have never met before. Because paint and sips are formatted differently than say an 8 week class period with each new class I introduce myself to a new group who may have never been water colored before. It is also a little terrifying to walk around and give constructive criticism to people you just met for the first time as well.
Yet after every class, I leave with a little more confidence. My nervous system is slowly learning that I can show up, be seen, and everything will be okay.
So many people have been joining the classes who have never picked up a paint brush in their life! It has felt so empowering to encourage people to express themselves in a way they never executed before. Some guests come in claiming how awful they are at art, and rest assured I make sure they walk away feeling empowered and a little more capable regarding their artistic abilities.
The essence of creation is so important because it allows you to practice making your own rules and your own world. I am not saying lock yourself in an echo chamber, but in a world that increasingly wants to shape what and how your mind thinks it is so important to create.
The physical act of creation is very therapeutic and nurturing for your internal life. The ways that you build up your wealth in your mind can never be taken from you. Through art you can build your sense of self so strong that not even the strongest naysayers can take you down.
“Your mind is a rich place, a treasure that no thief can touch or government can tax.” — Unknown
Although you may receive information via the news, reading, research. It is so important to ingest information but also to synthesize and express.
As biologist Sherri Seligson writes:
“The Dead Sea continually receives but never gives anything away... It is hoarding its salts. Yet that creates a dead environment inside. Do we do that? Are we like the Dead Sea, always receiving but never giving anything out?”
Creation is one way we give something back.
On June 5 from 7–9 PM, I’ll be leading a watercolor workshop at The Painthouse Art & Sip in Chesterfield, Mi. We’ll be painting a wildflower meadow while learning wet-on-wet watercolor techniques to create soft skies, flowing fields, and expressive landscapes.
If you’ve been wanting to try watercolor or simply spend an evening creating alongside others. I would love to paint with you.
Sign up here: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLAK83P4JG41F/checkout/ULMIGEZAVVC4QIQDXGI44ABC
"Some guests come in claiming how awful they are at art, and rest assured I make sure they walk away feeling empowered and a little more capable regarding their artistic abilities."
I get this all the time: "I can't even draw a stick man!" or "I can't even draw a circle!"
I feel like asking them, "How many times have you tried?" or
"Aren't you curious what will happen the next time you try?"
Good stuff, Danielle!!