It's not photography, but. . .

I just finished "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. This book is about "unblocking" as an artist and I've slowly but surely managed to shut up the inner voice telling me how many ways I can and will fail. Okay, it still rears its ugly head, but I know that it's name is "Fear" not "Truth". And I know it's there to scare me out of creating and being happy.

I've also figured out that I don't have to be Picasso today. Or Ansel Adams. Or my grandpa. I can just be Katy, the artist. The photographer. The inspired and and at least pleasing some people with my work. But mostly just being happy doing it, and enjoying the outcomes myself. If all else fails, I'll have tons of photos and artwork that I love and created hanging around my house to please me.

I am a recovering blocked artist. Be gentle. Don't tell me how to fail, I already know that. Encourage me. Play with me. Have fun with me. Delight me and inspire me.

After four years of untouched artist's drawing pads and unused art supplies (that I found in my son's room as I'd given up myself) I am finally just picking up a brush. Finally just picking up a pencil. Finally able to look at my art and call it "beautiful."

This is my first attempt at painting after so very long:

And you know what? I think it's beautiful.