Last night’s full moon got me thinking about change. The Snow Moon is a harbinger of longer days, sunnier skies and the colorful outburst of spring just around the corner. But not all change is as warmly embraced as the change of the seasons. The mere mention of the word "change" may cause some to feel uneasy. We often find ourselves resisting change, perhaps because of the perceived risk or fear associated with it.

But when something is no longer serving you - breaking free of it can feel like an energetic weight being lifted. This is true in life AND art-making. How many times have I resisted big changes in a painting because of one little part that was really lovely? More than I care to count. But one day, surrounded by several half-baked paintings, I decided to throw all caution to the wind and let go of the outcome in a painting-in-progress. It was liberating, and countless possibilities opened before my eyes…

The only way to fully understand this is to experience it. And the only way to experience it, is to make a conscious decision that you are willing to risk the painting.

You must be willing to risk everything to allow for change and new possibilities..

Once you have felt this freedom, you will want it to be part of your practice forever. But like a muscle, you must use it again and again for it to be strong.

“Garden Variety” 36x36 inches mixed media on panel