creating a community here to overcome my fear

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." ~Vincent Van Gogh

For decades, I was afraid of art. I wrote and wrote, but never shared a single poem. I stopped trying to draw or paint in 1976, when my art teacher looked at a clay figure I'd made, sighed and reshaped it herself. When it won second prize, I was so ashamed I convinced myself I would never, ever be an artist.

But secretly I'd been writing, painting, taking photographs and drawing all along. And I'm tired of being afraid of art. Art is central to who I am and how I stay awake and aware. It gets me through hard times. It's my spiritual practice. It's also a form of connection and communication and it's time for me to stop being afraid and share my art with the world.

I know the fear will show up again and I know I'll be tempted to hide. So I'm asking you to help me stay connected and inspired. This Patreon campaign is not so much about the money (though it will help me afford supplies) but about daring to "come out" and share my art with the world. So here I am. I hope you'll support me.