Day 29. Taking the Bull by the Horns

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

“By the Horns” 12×12, oil on canvas [creativ_button url=”https://denisehopkinsfineart.com/product/by-the-horns/” icon=”” label=”Buy Now” colour=”red” colour_custom=”” size=”medium” edge=”straight” target=”_self”]

Last night I painted at one of the loveliest weddings in Gulfport, Mississippi which added another state to my list of travels for wedding paintings (toying with the idea of trying to get all 50!). 

The videographer and I ended up having to combine our extension cords to reach the outlet and in the process got to chatting. I’m not even going to tell you who is who here because I know you know.

“God, I wish I could paint.”

“Everyone can paint.”

“No, I mean I can paint. I have an art degree. I just don’t have the time. What with the kids and job and all.”

“Buddy, you gotta take the bull by the horns.”

Okay, that last part is fiction. But I did suggest he buck up. I am amazed at how many excuses we (definitely including myself here) let define our interests, hobbies, our lives. It is far easier to long to paint great paintings than to actually paint hundreds of so-so ones. Our pride is less bruised. But our spirit is less awakened. 

This is the cow painting I was talking about the other day. The one that wasn’t quite right so I abandoned for a smaller version. I think he’s ready. I think he’s done. 

I’ve got a lot of limiting language I use not just in painting but in my life (I don’t have time, I’m not a fast runner, I’m not a good mom, I can’t do that new and exciting thing). I’m sort of compiling a list for day 31. Because all of it really is (and forgive me, but it works with today’s painting) just bullshit. What nonsense do you tell yourself to keep you from doing something worth doing? I’d love your thoughts as I work towards my day 31. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=”Sidebar” orientation=”left” area=”sidebar-1″ background_layout=”light” remove_border=”off” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Picture of Denise Hopkins

Denise Hopkins

October 29, 2017

Share Post

One Response

  1. My list of bullshit typically revolves around the idea that I can only do so much with my current gear, which is quite old and lower quality. I’m not entirely wrong in my thinking, but I’m also letting it hold me back instead of getting more creative with the gear I do have and do a decent job with. And I’m letting it hold me back with selling compositions I’ve made, which is the only way I’m going to afford better gear.

    Also, I’m only photographing part time. I think that’s practical to an extent, as I’m not yet selling, but I know I’m dragging my feet rather than putting my work out there as a way of moving towards photographing full time.

Leave a Reply

blog

Related Blog Posts

Remember You are Dust

One of the first things I remember learning as a child was the concept of patterns. Teachers seemed to be...

View Post
gallery wall oil paintings
July 2024, New Work Preview!

After kicking off 2024 with a (mostly) small painting a day in my annual 31 in 31 practice, I was...

View Post
Day 31. If you want to go far…

  “If You Want to go Far” 24×30 inches, oil on canvas I started this month with a bike, and...

View Post

Privacy Policy

This following document sets forth the Privacy Policy for this website. We are bound by the Privacy Act 1988 (Crh), which sets out a number of principles concerning the privacy of individuals using this website.

Collection of your personal information

We collect Non-Personally Identifiable Information from visitors to this Website. Non-Personally Identifiable Information is information that cannot by itself be used to identify a particular person or entity, and may include your IP host address, pages viewed, browser type, Internet browsing and usage habits, advertisements that you click on, Internet Service Provider, domain name, the time/date of your visit to this Website, the referring URL and your computer’s operating system.

Free offers & opt-ins

Participation in providing your email address in return for an offer from this site is completely voluntary and the user therefore has a choice whether or not to disclose your information. You may unsubscribe at any time so that you will not receive future emails.

Sharing of your personal information

Your personal information that we collect as a result of you purchasing our products & services, will NOT be shared with any third party, nor will it be used for unsolicited email marketing or spam. We may send you occasional marketing material in relation to our design services. What Information Do We Collect? If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses.