Sometimes I wish I had not gone to art school. 

I know that is a bizarre thing to say, but art school threw me a whole bushel of insecurities and I can’t help but wonder if they would still be there had I not attended.  To be fair, had I not gone to art school, I’d be insecure about not having gone to school instead. 

In school, I was served up the terrifying message of “Anytime you put art on the wall, you are making a statement!” 

This was a very intimidating message for a 20-year-old whose only goal in life was getting into the bar with a fake ID. Yes, I had thoughts and ideals, but I also had a lot of imposter syndrome and not enough confidence to put those on the wall. As a result, I allowed myself to be paralyzed by subject matter. I didn’t know what to paint. I never knew what to paint. Once I painted an all-blue panel with orange edges, it was all I could manage under the crippling pressure.

Then one day, I truly looked at the subject matter of my favorite artists and I realized they were painting all the things I enjoyed looking at and taking photos of. They were painting animals, natural landscapes, water, and boats. And like a ton of bricks, it hit me: I can paint whatever I want. That was a lovely, but rude awakening. I had been suffering needlessly because of someone else’s ideas and ideals. And isn’t that a metaphor for all of life?

I like dogs with big cold wet noses; I like the ocean and violently crashing waves; I like painting flowers, leaves, rocks, and nature. My art isn’t political and doesn’t carry a big stick to bash the viewer over the head with some purpose or ideal. I am very up front on my website; I’m here to celebrate the joy and the beauty. I’m a good time gal who is still trying to find her fake ID in yesterday's pants. Yes, there is A LOT to be upset about! There is soooooo much injustice and bullshit in our world and I care about that, but my art is not about that - and that’s okay. 

Therefore, my advice (not that you asked) is create whatever the hell it is you want to create. If you are stuck on subject matter, scroll through your photos and look at what you are drawn to. What do you read? What can you gaze at for hours on end? What captivates you? What makes you tingle? What do your favorite artists paint, draw, sing, or write? 

Paint that. Write about that. Sculpt it! You will find your way, I promise.