Alice's almost finished painting, oil on panel. This work was started during a workshop, Painting the Texture of Tea at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ. 

How might you feel if you dove into a weekly private session? 

I just had the privilege of reconnecting virtually with a student in NJ who I taught at a workshop in 2013 at Peters Valley Craft Center. In that workshop, she started a painting but never completed it. After nine years, she reached out to me and asked if we might work together to complete it. And, I'm pleased to say after 6 classes, she's almost done! I know she's improved her confidence, has enjoyed the painting time, and is looking forward to expanding her technique. 

If you've asked this question, what's stopping you?

Is it time, money, anxiety, or something else? 

FIRST: time can be deceiving - we generally do have time to prioritize the things that we value. I'd ask you to consider if this is something that's been nagging at you, is there something you can shift or let go of? 

SECOND: money - I also know that concern. Private lessons are an investment, and what you can get out of that time is priceless. The ability to ask whatever you want and have tailored lessons is invaluable. I also know that for some, money can still be an impediment which is why I'd like to offer pay what you wish private classes. This is something I've been wanting to offer for awhile, and I haven't yet figured out a logistical way to offer this on my site. I'm not going to let that stop me from offering it - know that if you are interested in private lessons, and you cannot afford my rate at the moment, please reach out to me and let me know what you are comfortable with paying. If you're in a comfortable position to invest in them at my full rates, go ahead and email me so we might work out a time. Space is limited and the pay what you wish pricing offer is a trial to see what evolves. Either way, please familiarize yourself with my offerings here. 

THIRD: anxiety - oh boy do I know that one. I've been working through anxiety my whole life and I just heard something so revealing and simple from actor, Tony Hale, on the Happiness Lab Podcast, share something he learned from a therapist: "keep walking and do it afraid". He's a professional, suffers from anxiety, and he needs to remind himself of this constantly, as do I. I've worked with many people with anxiety get back to creating - the first step is declaring this is what you want to do. I'll walk you through the next steps, slowly, at your pace. (Keep in mind, I'm not a therapist, but these are skills I've picked up through my own therapy and research). 

Maybe something else is holding you back?

Feel free to connect with me about what's stopping you from beginning, whether for the first time or again.  I'd love to talk to you about it. 

Alice's painting where it was left from the 2013 workshop. 

This is a great chance to really get to know my story and development as an artist, and get a glimpse of where I'm headed. I'm very grateful to whomever recommended me for the interview! 

It's week two and at the end of last week, I was convinced I had wasted four weeks and it was almost the end of February. What's so funny is that during Art & Tea, the Thrive Together Network's weekly virtual artist community support group, other artists felt the same. Time is moving strangely this month. Well, I finally grounded myself with the reality that there are two and a half more weeks of the program and I'm moving forward with daily progress. 

I don't log my painting hours very well, if at all, and despite last week's distractions - which were highly important - this week I painted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and last week - just on Monday. I'm focused for the moment on the Homage to Fu Pei Mei and I'm experiencing so much joy painting the porcelain motifs in varying shades of blue green and blue. 

To remind you of my intentions: I'm working to complete the Homage to Fu Pei Mei commission and then begin new work that brings some of my ideas from my sketchbook during last year's virtual artist residency into finished artworks (or started for that matter). As you may remember, I'm focusing on slow compassionate expansion this year.  

Watch me painting in some of the motifs in the porcelain. Scroll down to see some detail shots of the work in progress. 

This is unusual for me to be in touch so frequently, but there's so much I want to share with you during this month and I know you'd rather hear about it, than not. Is there something I'm not telling you about, that you'd like to know? If so, send me a message about it!