I had an art "A-Ha!" Moment today.

Does this ever happen to you?

I tried several times, unsuccessfully to paint a quick little oil sketch of a plum. It is amazing to me how something can be so beautiful and simple looking until I try to paint it. No matter how many times I paint and re painted it, it never took shape. Other times paintings seem to just flow right from the beginning and before I know it, I have a picture with hardly any effort at all.

Today it occurred to me that it all comes down to alignment. If I am really honest with myself I can feel when it is just not there - sometimes I know I am tying to force it when I should just try something else (maybe even a nap).

Today I knew I should have played around with mixed media or even toned canvases but I forced it and wasted time and materials.

The question is how to get into the right alignment before I start painting? I know when I am able to paint daily that helps me be more receptive. I also think I have to do better job of listening to myself - not my ego or what I think others are saying - what do I want to do?

So, my a-ha take away: Listen first to what my soul (my inner voice) is telling me. Try to get in tune with that - forcing things never works.