Saturday, November 15, 2008

I am grateful

Yes indeed, I am.  It's 12:30 am, and I'm still up and on my computer.  Well, thankfully it's Friday night, and I have the next two days off, and don't have to get up early tomorrow to go to work.  Although I tend to wake up early anyway, whether I want to or not, due to my work schedule and biological clock.  But that' okay, at least I have tomorrow off, which is such a relief.  TGIF I say!

I am so grateful for all of my online art buddies out there, for all of YOU, who visit my blog and leave comments, and who also have art blogs.  You all mean so much to me, you really do, more than I can adequately express.  Tonight, I was scrolling through my blog, and rereading all the comments left on my blog.  I do that occasionally, now and then, to remind myself of how lucky I am to have those of you who visit my blog and leave comments.  To have your feedback and support and encouragement.  Wow, it always has amazed me, and still does.  And it always does my heart good, and renews me and refreshes me, to go back and read your comments.

I love my blog, and am so glad I finally decided to jump into blogland last February 10th, 2008.I had been vaguely thinking of doing that for some time, before I finally got proactive and just did it.  And I'm glad I did, and don't regret it at all, but I must also say I feel it's a responsibility.  That sometimes weighs heavy on me, when I'm struggling with my art, or with my life in general.  As I'm sure all of you can relate to, when you have a public blog, it's all out there for anyone to see.  I mean there's no privacy with a public blog.

Consequently, I only share myself to a certain extent, because it's more than a bit scary to share more deeply on a public blog.  At times, I might be tempted to share more, but I mostly pull back from that, fearful of exposing myself too much and of being vulnerable.  I wish I could be braver about sharing my true self, and have more courage to do that, but it's a difficult thing for me.  Then again, I think being or feeling vulnerable, open, exposed, is difficult for most people, don't you?  I think that's a pretty common human reaction.  Afterall, one definition of "vulnerable" in the dictionary is: capable of being wounded.  And no one wants to be wounded, right?

I have to confess and admit that this year, 2008, has been a rough year for me.  A number of things, unexpected and unwanted things, have happened, that have thrown me off course in a number of ways.  I have often felt somewhat lost and discombobulated due to those things happening in my life.  Well hey, that's life, it's never safe or predictable, and all we can do, the best thing we can do, is take it one day at a time.  I rely on God, my faith in Him, to see me through.  To hold me in his hand, and heart, so to speak.  

My art means so much to me, is so important to me.  I'm not even sure why, I just know it is.  I believe God gives each of us certain gifts, and that art is one of my gifts.  I didn't ask for this gift or do anything to deserve it.  And he gave the same gift to all of you, so I think you understand what I mean about that.  And so, I feel compelled to use my gift and appreciate my gift, which doesn't always come easily.  Sometimes it involves pain and angst, frustration, dry times.

But I thank God for the internet, and for our online art community, because it's a huge part of my art experience.  I feel I wouldn't be the artist I am today without the net, and the art community I belong to in my yahoo groups.  I also thank God for blogs, and for the opportunity to have my own blog, and for all the blogs out there I can visit and be inspired by.  We are all in this art journey together, are we not?  Yes, I think so.  And I am so grateful for that, and for all of you who visit my blog, and leave comments, and encourage me and hold me up when I'm faltering.

I just felt the need to make this post tonight, and share these thoughts and feelings.  Thank you all, for being a part of my art experience.  I truly appreciate it, and it means so much to me.  I often think it would be so wonderful for all of us to meet in person, and have a huge, happy party!  That would be a great party indeed.  I love you all.  Thank you.

9 comments:

Christy said...

What a wonderful and compassionate post. We love you too!! And yea, my art buddies keep me going too. Especially when I might be faltering for whatever reason. Without them I know I would still be writing frustrated posts about music instead of getting my feelings out in my art. Art is better!

nancy said...

Valerie, I appreciate your pouring your heart out like that. i feel the very same way. I've had a tough year, and as a result have had to give up a circle of friends that meant so much to me. If not for the online community, I'm sure I would have done very badly. Just before the incident that caused this rift, I started blogging and "fell in" with the art community you speak of. I know God was preparing me for the extra support and encouragment I would be needing. I am so thankful.

Now, as to how I did the background on my little gypsy girl, do you mean the textured part, or the part that simulates old oil painting colors?
Email me the answer and I'll be glad to answer your question.
Nancy

Elizabeth Golden said...

Valerie I agree with everything you have said in this post. It is a whole new world of people out there. I hope you don't mind but I tagged you and your blog.You can read all about it on my blog.
Elizabeth
http://thelastdoordownthehall.blogspot.com/

Julie said...

I echo the comments above, Val and can empathise completely. I know for sure that blogging has enriched both my personal life and my creative life. I have made so much progress over the last year and followed a path that I would never have dreamt of a few years ago. Not forgetting all the wonderful people I have met who have shared so much of themselves and their creativity. A huge, happy party would be wonderful!

Seth said...

This is a special post Val. I can relate to so much of what you have said here!

Sandy said...

Your post really touched me. Congrats for working through a year filled with challenges and learning from them. See what happens when you put your heart out there-others letting you know that you are appreciated. Yay! I want to come to the party too.

Unknown said...

Well, Miss, you know how I feel about opening up to the extent that we feel safe. I think that its brave and gracious. Me, reading your blog, gives me wings, you reading someone else's gives you strength, someone else reading yet another's blog gives them just what they need in that moment. There are powers in your words and mine and sharing that with the world is a comfort we all need at times.

Thanks for being you and I'm totally down with a big fun happy party... sign this girl UP!
xoxo
jul

Pat said...

Val,
I have been watching you grow in your art endeavors and so appreciate your openness about techniques and even your struggles at times at keeping after a piece until it feels right. I have God in my life, too.... big time. He has definitely helped me be at peace in what I do because I trust Him to guide my life. It's so good to know you are not afraid to mention God in your blog.
I'm very happy you decided to share with us...
Pat xoxox

morningDove said...

what a wonderful God encouraging post. I agree being a new blogger myself with about art, the online art community, and everything. You are a great artist. I love when you post a new piece and I can enlarge and look at all the things you have done to creat one piece of art. You're a fabulous artist. Keep going.