30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 5

"Ellen Carries The Lantern" - mixed media on aquabord, 11" x 14".  Ready to frame, or can be leaned on a shelf.  Available on Artfinder.

Into the woods,
It's time to go,
It may be all
In vain, you/I know.
Into the woods-
But even so,
I have to take the journey.


January.  Resolutions, goals, plans, dreams.  Excitement! Energy!  Enthusiasm!  Fear (we already tackled that).  Self-doubt.  What if it's the wrong plan?  What if it doesn't work out?  What if I do this and that and the other thing and never reach the goal?  Yep, these thoughts get in the way of doing anything at all sometimes.  But here's the thing - it really doesn't matter if we reach the goal (get to grandmother's house) when heading into the woods.  It may, indeed, all be in vain with respect to the actual goal.  But I guarantee, if I make the effort, spend the time, walk the path determindly, I will arrive somewhere.  And it might be somewhere even better.

I looked over my plans for last year recently.  I didn't reach some goals I set.  I totally failed at some others.  But I did do a whole heap load of things I never thought possible, never even imagined, because those things happened to be along the path I was taking.  For example, I never thought there would be a collaborative book published along the way.  Blue Wild was just a glimmer on the far horizon. And yet it happened.  I never imagined spending a month living in magical Listowel, Ireland.  But I did.  And two of my pieces ended up in a national magazine last year.  WHAT?  That was unexpected and delightful.

The journey is the goal.  Where we end up, well, that's the mystery and delight.  I suppose what I'm saying is: grab your lantern and put your feet on the path.  I know it's dark.  And sometimes scary.  And hard.  But let's go anyway. :)

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​Today's "Pay What You Can" piece is "Mod Squad Sheep", watercolor on paper,  10" x 14".   This piece will be shipped flat.  Shipping is anticipated to be around $10.


Email me at [email protected] with how much (or how little) you'd like to pay for this cutie (shipping will be added).  The winner will be selected at random and notified via email in 24 hours.