As promised, here are the patterns for the Wildflower Totebag. These patterns aren’t perfect. I drew them a few minutes ago. Just for you. Mainly because I want you to try this but also because the hardest thing to do when painting . . . well, nearly anything . . . is to not try to get it “perfect”. So go ahead and use my patterns but notice that they are far from “perfect”.
(click on the image or caption to download the full size pattern)
And, hey, if you want to try it freehand and not use the patterns, all the better! Then give these to your kids for coloring pages or use them for embroidery or sewing. Whatever! Or draw your own. You can do it, you know?
But you don’t know, do you? At least, not until you try!
Here’s my ‘credo’ when it comes to trying new things – you have to give it more than one, or two, tries. I mean, tell me one thing in life you can master in just one try.
Driving? Cooking? Baking? Raising kids? *ahem
When I taught beginning jazz dance to adults I constantly had to remind my students of this. For some reason, adults think they could take one, single, solitary dance class and Whoosh! they’d be able to dance like Paula Abdul. (Hey, it was the 80’s & 90’s, ok?)
My dance teacher used to tell me – frequently – that dance is 90% mental and 10% physical. I didn’t believe him, until I became an advanced dancer.
I think decorative painting is probably the same the way. Yes, it takes practice. But mainly, it requires closing the door on all of those thoughts that tell you there’s no way, you’re not artistic, you can’t do it, what were you thinking. Blah blah blah blah blah!
Watch some kids paint. Or dance. They aren’t comparing themselves to others. At least, not until they just about hit puberty. They just enjoy the process.
And lest you think that everything I paint turns out perfectly, I’ll tell you a little secret. Right before drawing the wildflowers I tore up a piece of paper I’d spent nearly all day painting. Ripped it to shreds, I did.
Yep. It happens. Maybe not as often now after 17 years of ‘practice’. But it does happen. Then I have to sit down, talk to my Self, take a few deep breaths, and start something new.
Which turned out to be the wildflower totebag.
Just make your goal having fun, my friends. Even though I ripped that piece of paper to shred, writing this, I realize I had a great time painting it that day.
As long as you have fun while you’re creating, the time will be well spent.
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