A few life lessons learned in painting – We’re trudging toward the end of the school year finish line, with a list of to-do’s and deadlines, y’all.
Summer. It feels so close, but so far away. Like, our-kids-don’t-have-to-do-homework-tonight-because-we-don’t-care-throw-a-pizza-in-the-oven-and-spend-time-as-a-family-in-pajamas, so close. It’s like I’m drowning and trying to hold fifty elements above the water to save them, and someone tosses a thirty pound encyclopedia at me. Good times. Also, please tell me you’ve been there.
I think on a personal level, we’ve been dealing with adjusting to an entirely new phase of life for our kids in our own family. It’s nothing monumental or something we can really put a finger on. But we can feel a shift. We’re suddenly on a new level of complicated with deeper conversations, scheduled events, and just making sure we’re keeping our fingers on the pulse of it all. I truly love this age. As in, friends with toddlers throw me for a real loop after ten minutes, really love this age. Our sixth, fourth and second graders are my favorite. Of course, I am a little biased – I’ve loved every age. But there’s something so amazing about their thought process, and the little people they’re becoming. We’re in a sweet stage of life, and a mentally taxing one all at once.
Parenthood. It can be intricately wonderful and amazingly exhausting, all at the same time.
Between all of the above, and some other things I won’t bore you with here like mountains of laundry and project deadlines, the last few weeks have been a little crazy. Then there was that time lightening struck our house so the printer went on the fritz, the washer stopped working and the tv literally had a seizure… total first world probs, but it felt like a bit of a metaphor for our life.
We couldn’t really do anything but laugh, because it happens.
Life Lessons Learned in Painting – Lazy Weekend Therapy
So a few weeks ago, after working through three weekends straight all the way to yet another Friday, I called a time out.
We declared that it was time for a lazy weekend, for everyone. Time to chill. And just breathe.
It was raining and cold, so I threw on my pajamas, downloaded an audio book, put on some coffee, and decided to lose myself for a bit in one of my very favorite things: Painting. It was a bit of a back-to-my-roots kind of thing-something I don’t do so much anymore. And I actually felt refreshed when the piece was finished. Who knew being ‘selfish’ would do that for a person? I haven’t had much time in the past, but lately, I’ve picked that paintbrush back up for various reasons. I’ve learned how much I really missed it. And when I was reflecting, perhaps a bit too sentimentally the other day, I realized there are a lot of life lessons you can glean from painting.
Yay metaphors.
Life Lessons Learned in Painting
So humor me if you will, but all things therapy aside, I thought it would be fun to share a few life lessons learned in painting.
Mix your own colors.
We had a professor once tell us to avoid those straight-from-the-bottle colors. He basically scolded us if he saw us using them right from the store’s container. We would watch in awe while he discussed color theory and paint application. We put our own spin on yellow ocre. Or building up a shadow’s deep hues of purples and blues for more dimension, instead of grey and black.
Adulthood {and parenting} is like taking some old paint bottles that were handed down to you. Your grandmother’s grandmother used trustworthy blue, and it worked for her. So naturally, you should use it too. But I think a lot of it is like a remix of sorts. You have to take that blue, and mix it with more bottles, for the most gorgeous aqua you’ve ever seen. Think through why you’re doing it your way, even if no one else understands.
It’s your paint. And it’s your painting. Mix it as only you can.
Embrace the happy accidents – Life Lessons Learned in Painting
One of my very first art classes when I started the design program, was a drawing class. I was intimidated and shy and our professor, anything but. I couldn’t tell you her name now, but she was exactly what you would picture in the quintessential art professor department: a tiny, passionate person who donned all black, all the time, and spouted meaningful epithets when you least expected it.
And when we sat in a circle in the class, working oh so furiously, she told us to embrace the happy accidents. She pointed them out regularly, and it was a pivotal moment for me and my future design career. I applied it to every project and production I’ve tackled since then.
Paint can mix together to make a new color you hadn’t considered, or the most beautiful line is now established in your piece to take you in an entirely new direction. It’s not something you planned but sometimes you have to go with it, and see what happens. Life is a lot like that. Sometimes, there are happy accidents that don’t feel so happy at first. There are elements that come together to take you down a path and the unexpected that can throw you off track. Sometimes, things don’t make sense. {Okay – most of the time} and sometimes, you just have to embrace those things life is made of, however unpleasant at first… and go with it. It may be something you look back on later, and realize what a “happy accident”, it was.
Which leads us to…
Let go of perfection – Life Lessons Learned in Painting
It never will be perfect.
Neither will we.
What’s that phrase about perfection and the highest form of self abuse? I think that’s really all I need to say here. Thus the happy accidents.
You have to roll with it. Just. Like. Life.
Step Back – Life Lessons Learned in Painting
It can get easy to become obsessed with one section of the canvas. To worry over one miniscule area, and overwork it. When you’re excited about or in love with something, it can be easy to worry over it.
In turn, sometimes we do more damage than good when we stay in one area like little helicopters, fussing and fretting. Now take the word ‘canvas’ and replace it with : children. money. house. spouse, career… worry in general. I’m with you. My lists have lists and my anxieties have anxieties. But we had professors who regularly told us to step back and away from the project. {Say it through a megaphone to get the full effect of where I’m going here.} Take a good, over all look. Sometimes, that’s the very best thing we can do. Step back.
Step away. Take it all in for what it is, and then reassess from there. Maybe that little thing you were worrying over, really works itself out after all. {See: Weekend of painting. Like an inception of metaphors.}
Embrace the process – Life Lessons Learned in Painting
The more seasoned I become, I’m realizing that I can put myself on a deadline and struggle to produce on deadlines and expectations {some of them entirely self-imposed} for my entire life.
Or accept the plain and simple truth that you just can’t rush it.
I can be easy to revert to self deprecation mode, and never really create, out of sheer intimidation. In the end, while the product is rewarding and oh so cathartic, the creative process, and that part where you struggle through it… is just as important, too.
So embrace the process. Look around and appreciate where you are, right now. Yes, definitely have goals. Yes, have things that you want to achieve. They’re oh so crucial. But appreciate the person you’re becoming, with gratefulness in the middle of it all. Because that stuff in the middle, that’s the important stuff. It’s the really important stuff. The process is what makes you who you really are.
So… if you’re anything like me and feel like you’re running out of gas, I highly recommend picking up a brush. Or spade. Or book. Or running shoes. Or all of the above and whatever makes you happy. Even if it makes you look like a psychotic, running, gardener who likes to paint. Make time for that, {Yes, even though you don’t have time.} Declare a weekend off for the fam, and get to it.
And you’ll be surprised at all the life lessons you’ll find there.
Especially, when you take a little time for yourself.
Have an inspired day!
Enjoy this post? Also check out Summer Here We Come!
Susie says
It’s funny that this came up now, because I’m in a season of creative rest too! Sometimes we just need a new outlet for all that emotion.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Very true! Creative rest – great way of putting it!
Jenna says
So true! What a great post, I needed this reminder today!
ROSE LEFEBVRE says
I LOVE the last painting of the old car!!! So cool!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much! I had a blast painting it for my son’s room! ;}
Julia at 129 Communications says
I love this post. I had some very similar reflections recently. As a new Mom, I’m learning how meaningful it is to take the time to do the things I enjoy–some writing time, a hike with the dog, working in the garden. I also realize that it doesn’t take much to make me happy. An hour of writing can be very fulfilling. Rather than being frustrated that I don’t have as much free time as I used to, I instead am savouring those moments and feeling very refreshed after.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Very true! It’s so important to make time for all of those things, and not give into the stigma that you can’t. I think I was sold the idea that we have to be martyrs and that’s what makes a good mom. That’s a lie. The whole reason this entire website began was because I realized early on, if I didn’t have an outlet I would be miserable and it would make me a miserable person. Of course we love our children more than anything. But filling your own cup so that you can then fill theirs in a healthier manner is an important aspect no one ever talks about. Because that’s perceived as “selfish”. ;}
ART says
I taught furniture painting classes for a few years, and the lessons/metaphors were the same!…Thanks for a great post..I am sharing it and hoping my kids will read it, too…
Elizabeth says
Your new flower painting is one of my favorites 🙂
Lbpv says
This is really good stuff here! Thanks for the reminder! These are my favorite kind of posts. I don’t expect them all the time but they are little nuggets of golden and interspersed with your paintings!! Like I said really good stuff.
Amy says
This was beautiful and exactly what I needed to hear in my mess of allow right now. Thank you! ❤️
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hang in there, Amy. You’re certainly not alone! Hugs to you.
Tracy says
Haha – yes – sometimes I feel like a psychotic running gardener who likes to paint! I’m loving that you’re painting with regular old craft store paint that is often 99 cents/container. I enjoy the sentiment of this post, especially about the seasons of parenting 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
YES! You know, I have a rabid passion for oils, but sometimes, it’s just easier to do the acrylics that are piled in a container somewhere! HA!