Finding answers in the in-between

The paper mache 
goblet, bird, and fox
have been sitting on top 
of the cabinet for 
months.

Unfinished.

I'd taken them all 
to the same stage.
Paper mache forms.
Blanks ready for
the next step.

But I was stuck,
hesitant to paint or
otherwise finish
them, afraid I'd ruin
what I'd created.

So I set them aside.

Until yesterday.

Where the in-between
time offered me a way
forward.

With the fox.

It was The Portrait
Artist of the Year artists
who, once again, inspired
me with their loose,
bold strokes
that somehow come
together to look
like something.

Someone.

So I tried it. 
I painted bold, 
abstract strokes, 
blended colors, 
squinted at what 
I'd painted, stepped
back, made adjustments,
brushed aside my fear, 
and found a way to move forward.

It's not perfect. But it's finished. There are some things I love about it (the tilt of the head, the eyes), and other things I wish were different (the tail). The body isn't quite right, and the paint job? Well, it's a start.

But best of all, I'm no longer afraid to make a mistake.

If you've got a project that's got you stumped, try setting it aside for a bit.

Chances are, new ideas will form when you step away.

The fox may not be perfect, but it was worthwhile to hang in there, even though it took a long time.

It feels good to have finished it, and with each stage I learned something new.

And you will, too.

So keep going, it's worth it.

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