One grey and rainy day this past spring, I drove to an art store and bought myself some paints…
That might be a very mundane sentence to you, but writing it, reading it, just looking at it on the screen, makes my heart leap. I bought paints! Paints! For me!
In truth I am not a painter. I took a class in college, but that’s it. I haven’t painted in years. There is no practical reason I should be buying paints, except the idea makes my heart quicken, makes my toes want to tap in delight. The idea of buying paints gives me joy.
And oh, the paints I bought. Let me tell you about the paints.
They’re made by Sennelier, an old and venerable French producer that ground pigment for the Impressionists (Pigments! For the Impressionists!). The tubes are gorgeous, the colors amazing. These are sexy paints. Some of the colors just make me melt.
These paints excite me so much, I didn’t even have to open them for a few days. The mere fact of their existence—that they belonged to me and were sitting on my shelf—was enough. Every time I caught a glimpse of them they made me want to dance with happiness. I might even have fondled them a little bit.
Why am I telling you about paints? There are a few reasons.
I was recently interviewed by Jen Lemen, who along with my friend Andrea Scher, is one half of the Mondo Beyond course experience. We talked about life dreams and the fears we have to battle to move toward them. It’s a huge topic, this life dream thing. It’s monumental, it’s intimidating. It can feel far-off and impossible. How do I get from here to there?
But what if it were as simple as moving toward the things that make your heart quicken? For you it might not be paints. It might be planting a garden, buying a bicycle with a basket on the front, taking a class on how to throw clay pots, studying a foreign language, learning to dance. What if it were as simple as moving toward joy and pleasure?
I don’t think it needs to make sense or be fully planned, either. I have no idea what I’m doing with these paints in the larger scheme of my life. Am I going to be a professional painter? Is this my new hobby? Who knows? Right now that’s not important. What is important is that they make me happy, they make me giddy with an excitement I’m not finding in other parts of my life right now. That is enough.
There are times for big plans and bold strategy, there are times for being brave and taking chances. But what if the clues to our life showed up in simpler, gentler ways? What if it were as easy as listening to the whispers that tell us what would make us happy, and taking a step in that direction? It could be a speedy sprint toward happiness, or it could be a small fearful baby step forward. It doesn’t matter.
It could be as simple as buying a set a paints.
I hope we can move toward whatever makes our hearts quicken. I hope that for us all.
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Oh my! Those colors!!! Wow!
I haven’t picked up my brushes in ages… Unless it was to camouflage a blemish on my walls.
I will be leaping forward in September though. I’ve had enough of the long distance thing. I just need to start packing up, and find a mover…
You are SUCH an inspiration.
Food and love make my heart quicken, and yet the two are so irrevocably intertwined. Lovely post!
When I go to bed at night it is the small things that let me rest easy, the small satisfactions in everyday life. Something new, something challenging, unique. I felt this way 6 months ago when I got a new camera, my world just blew up, there was a whole new side of me. Have fun with your new supplies!
A marvelous, kind, thought-provoking post. The world needs more you.
Those paints look amazing.
You never know what hidden talent lurks unless you give things a whirl. My husband left me well supplied with water colours, brushes and paper. My friends said, don’t give them away but give painting a go yourself. My one friend came down Boxing Day to give me a lesson. I’ve done 4 pictures and they’ve turned out not half bad for a beginner. I’m not a true artist but there is something fun and absorbing in mixing colours, of finding that this combo WORKS.
Have fun playing – let the kid in you go wild.
Delight is a precious thing. I love the word, as well as the concept. You seem to be moving toward delight – and that’s a great direction. I’ll be looking forward to reading where the ownership of paints takes you.
You are so right—precious, indeed. Thanks for the sweet words.
I posted this in Facebook and on Twitter. I hope that’s ok. This has a bit to do with why I started my photography business. Taking photos always makes my giddy, and these days having them all digital sometimes doesn’t matter as long as I know I have them on my computer(and backed up) is all that matters. Thanks Tea.
My pleasure, and thanks for spreading the word!
I sent this to every one of my coaching clients. And I have a vision of you and me sitting in some beautiful place painting together one day. xoxo
I feel the same way about the new set of colored pencils and tablet of paper! I’ve been carrying them aroun d with me since Christmas, just in case the urge strikes, and am happy just knowing they’re by my side. :>) This will be the summer you paint. Who knows, it may happily continue beyond that. Cheers~
I love that you are carrying around art supplies! It’s good to be prepared for the muse:-)
Ooh, nice oils. I haven’t done oils in years. I used to like them (jr. high/ high school) because I could remain indecisive…they gave me room to change my mind and rework over and over. The older I got…(college)…I discovered the fun in watercolor. I had to move quicker; it forced me to take more chances. Work now, not come back repeatedly. As I aged more (graduate school) enjoyed the precision of calligraphy..the thinking, planning and plotting out the course of every stroke. Now (middle aged??!!) I doodle, everywhere, sketch, pen and pencil.
I love your still pristine art box…soon it will be as colorful as your creations. My supplies have long since been dispersed and used by the children. I still have the wooden cigar box that held the paint and sponges. Maybe I should visit the art store, too, and restock. I would start over with oils, a second childhood for me.
I love how you talk about the different paints, it’s so true. I started with oil, now trying acrylics. The jury is still out. I think I like oils the best, they’re just a hassle to deal with. I’m definitely not fast enough to do watercolors. Your description of a life lived in art is wonderful.
So what are you doing with the paints? Inquiring readers are eager to know!
I’m having fun! For now, that’s more than enough:-)
Oh my goodness, this is where I’m at right now! I hung out at the art museum the other day and just fell in love with Degas and his pastel work. That feeling made me think I too could draw wonderful pictures with pastels. I haven’t bought them yet, mostly because I’m an umemployed Geologist who keeps thinking that she has no patience for this type of art and no creativity. Not to mention I start and stop hobbies faster than my cat can fall asleep. I keep thinking I should master my current hobbies before I pick up others. Even though I’ve always wanted to be an artist… just never had the patience or creativity for it.
Those are beautiful colors! Oil paintings are so nice and smooth. Can’t wait to see what you create!
If you “always wanted to be an artist,” I’m not sure you should let something like patience or creativity stand in your way. Who knows what you might create? If you don’t give it a try, no one ever will…
(is that a sufficient nudge in the right direction?:-)
I love your thoughts here. And your words. And the colors…. oh my.
Thanks, friend. I have a feeling you know all about the little whispers.
I LOVE this post, though I don’t think I’ve ever written to you here. What you say makes so much sense, and is something I desperately need to hear. Thanks for that.
Thanks so much, Melissa. I’m so glad if it hits home. That makes my day.
Brava. The world needs more quickened hearts.
Thank you. Well put! I agree.
Once again your post came at the perfect time.
I’m so glad!
yes yes yes!
love this post.
thank you for sharing these pieces of you…
Thank you so much, Liz. I know you know what I’m talking about
The joy in your ‘voice’ is palpable. Very inspiring!
Aww, thanks. What a lovely thing to say.
Tea – I love this. You took me back to a course I took in watercolours many moons ago. I had so much fun exploring the art supply store and touching all the paper – feeling the difference in the rag weight of the paper that our teacher had talked about – playing with the brushes, examining all the colours of the paints – so fun. I grew frustrated with my lack of ability to translate what I saw in my head to paper or canvas and gave up but I still remember the fun of wandering through the art supply store.
Isn’t it fun? I love browsing the art stores and all that gorgeous paper. Whee!
As always your words are lovely and contagious.
I used to paint often and loved it. I wasn’t all that great at it, but that didn’t diminish my joy.
I have been thinking about heading to the art store myself, and dusting off the old brushes.
What am I waiting for, right?
heehee.
Thanks, have a wonderful day!
We bought a sailboat. And we’re learning to sail. I’ve always loved the water and I figured this might be as close as we get to a summer place on the water for some time. It’s the perfect compromise. It’s in Charleston, a short two and a half to three hour drive from Charlotte…depending on who’s driving.
And the minute I step out of the vehicle and smell the warm salty breeze, I feel all my cares simply melt away and a giddiness takes hold. I have a sailboat! We get to live on the water! Life is good.
Love you blog. I am not a painter. I have started using my journal as a place to explore paintings I want to create. I use my journal to explore writing ideas. It’s a safe place for me to put something down on a blank page. I’ll be following your journey.
Oh, I love your sweet wooden box of paints. Personally, I love that one tenet of Amherst Writers: “A writer is someone who writes.” And because I love it, I apply it to everything: “A painter is someone who paints.” Also, I agree that those paints are sexy. So rich, so daring! The red reminds me of your adorable red shoes I remember seeing in a photo or two.
I didn’t even finish the post before clicking over to find out more about that sewing class I got an email about. It started last night (doh!) but that didn’t stop me. I got the instructors phone number and I start next week making a skirt- something I’ve wanted to learn for years. Heart officially quickened. And, thanks!!
Those paints made my heart quicken just a little!
Lovely colors choices….
Horses always have and I hope always will make my heart beat a little quicker..
It is a true blessing to have a passion….
xxoo,
RMW
As you already know, I had to share this post on my blog. I just knew it would resonate with so many others as well. Thank you for stopping by and encouraging me, yet again, to chase my dreams.
Thank you.
Dagnab it, Tara. LOVE this. And if my children are wandering the neighborhood this summer in search of a real meal and clean clothes, I am going to blame you for getting me painting again!
Ha, ha! I will totally take responsibility for that. Order pizza and teach the kids to do laundry, everyone wins!
What an inspiration!! I have taken myself to a gorgeous wool shop in the city and chosen multi-coloured Japanese silk and mohair yarn to make a spiral scarf for my daughter’s birthday. It is so frivolous and beautiful. I feel so much more alive and the possibility of it all is what is most important.
Thanks so much for sharing your story and motivating us to take those steps to creativity and joy.
Love reading all the comments here! Nikki-my dad also bought himself a sailboat and it was the only think that helped his addled mind to quieten and give him a little peace in his last few years.
I love to feed people, I’ve finally got so that I can do that for a living, hopefully and I’ve handed my resignation in at my science job. It will be very hard, I’m sure but I’m going to give it a try with my new business, jennywennycakes and we’ll have to see how it goes!
Sometimes necessity forces us to do things that we are fearful of, I’ve found I really need to sketch my cakes out, even though I hate drawing and I’m not finding it as bad as I expected!
I had been considering buying a ukulele for weeks and then I saw this post. It didn’t run out and buy it immediately, but it was one of the many things nudging me towards it, making me think even more about it. I have to ponder every step and every purchase. I also wanted to get a ukulele because it is supposedly one of the easiest instruments you can learn. Four strings, small size. Could I do it? Me? Unmusical, unrhythmical, and tone-deaf?
I bought it late last week, and have spent the weekend learning chords. The crazy thing is that it looks like I just might be able to play some songs if I keep at it. And even that small amount of progress is encouraging me to go further.
Will I become a professional musicial? Unlikely. But the ukulele is beautiful, and it gives me great joy just to take it out of the case and hold it.
Thank you for the inspiration.
This make me so happy, Daniel. Good for you! If it brings you pleasure, then it must be the right move, no?
Happy playing!
Tara! My dad sent me a link to this post of yours. Wonderfully expressed. It’s been a long time–hope all is well with you!
Noelle O’Reilly
Oh, Tara! I get the same way when I buy paints. Any art supplies, really. I should do that again.
Reading this statement made me feel so good! You said it so beautifully that I had to share it!