close-up of a mixed media art piece
Modeling paste to create light and interest. Sunday inspiration 10-20-19
Posted Oct 20, 2019
8 Comments

It’s been a while since I have done a piece that has feature the vintage papers that I love so much.

Putting it all together is like a puzzle and I love the process of finding just the right paper to tell the story.

And the modeling paste brings just the right amount of vintage pattern and light to this piece,

This piece was inspired by a comment that I received on the blog about how a blog post that I wrote almost 7 yrs ago met this person at the place of their need.

I was brand new to blogging and didn’t have a video or anything but what I wrote was good…. dang good!

I was sharing from my heart and pursuing my dream of being able to encourage others and create at the same time. Who knew that those words all that time ago still inspire… still encourage.

When we share our story it connects us, it helps us…. YOur story matters and you never know how it will encourage another.

I have attached the words from that blog post… in hopes that it will again inspire… and I share more about it in the video.

Enjoy the process

The original is available HERE and the print of the original HERE

Supplies used: Deco art media matte medium, gesso, modeling paste, crackle paint, black gesso, Deco art media fluid acrylics (cobalt teal, raw umber, metallic gold, transparent yellow oxide, General charcoal pencil

Stencils used: vintage wallpaper duo, little flowers, vintage postage 2

Collage paks used: 3-12-17 and 5-14-17

The image below is free in the subsciber resource library you can get it HERE. If you would like to subscribe to get access you can do that HERE

From the original post from November 2013:

When Doubt Rises

“Every time I’m getting ready for a show it’s always a crazy time.  The preparation and the long hours of getting inventory ready. Packing a truck full of displays and then setting everything up. Fussing over every detail, turning pieces just right and so on until I have to tell myself to stop and just let it be.

Days before the show an anxiousness starts to build and my thoughts go to what if no one likes my stuff, what if I don’t make any money, let alone cover my expenses, what if, what if.  Every time I put my artwork out there in the world it’s always such a personal thing because each piece is part of me. They not only carry my name, but my life, experience, hurt, healing and growth.

The show went well, but the best thing I received was confirmation that my mission and message of my art speaks to women. That it meets them at their point and place of need.  I had tears, and stories of divorce, disappointment, and cancer.  Each soul looking for a message of hope… something to chase the doubt and fear away.

I have said it before, but I will say it again…. we are all more alike than we are different.

I had my doubt and fear going into the show…. (I always do).. and I met women with the same doubts and fears. Different yes. Our paths are different, our circumstances vary, yet we all have our inner battles.

Doubt is quiet and creeps in slowly, with our inner critic whispering and poking at our vulnerable places.

Our doubts can say many things like, you will never sell anything, your not an artist, you will be alone, the hurt will not go away, you are not worthy of staying with, why didn’t I do more, Your voice doesn’t matter, maybe I will never have children, maybe I will not heal.

All so different, with the same sting attached.

Soo, we need to be good to each other, bond together and lift each other up. With prayers, words, love, kindness, and practical every day, “You can do it!” encouragement.

Here are a few steps that we can take in our own lives or in the lives of others to push past the doubt and fear. And to help us realize our unique purpose and gifts.

1. Recognize and Share It.

They say that realizing where you’re at, what’s happening inside, is half the battle of conquering. But it is so true! Know that the doubt and voices are just that. Then write it out, paint it out, shout it out.  Just the acknowledgment can quiet the storm.

2. Surround yourself with good and ask for help.

Once you recognize what the heck is going on, find your safe place and person and share it.  Something happens when things go from in our head, out our mouth.  The doubt and voices lose power. They seem almost ridiculous when we say them out loud and when you’re with someone who knows and loves you they can reinforce the positive. Don’t be afraid to ask for feed back.  Ask about what your feeling and if it has any validity.  Most often it will be absolutely NOT!

3. Acceptance.

We will always have doubts and fears.  If I meet someone who says that they don’t, I don’t believe them. Even the most successful, confident people deal with the dark side every now and then. Accept it!  Those feelings are part of who we are and are sooo important to our growth, understanding, and empathy. So while I hate that place, when it happens, more often than not for me..I get a little forlorn and then… it challenges me, causes me to reach out, to bolster my resolve and give me a kick in the pants.  One of my favorite authors and inspirational people is Danielle Laporte this is a quote from her “There is no way to get to Awesomeness without first walking through that dark.”

4. Write out the opposite

Often I will write out the opposite of how I’m feeling. For example, My doubt says … No one will buy my art – The opposite is … people buy my art every day.   Doubt says:  Am I a good artist? – the opposite – I’m a damn good artist, people email me that all the time!  OOH see it’s already working.  I start getting fired up, like a coach giving a pep talk…. pretty soon I will be high fiving someone and screaming “HHHeeeelll YeeaaaH!”

5. Take Action.

Move! Take Action!  Go for a walk, dance, go to the gym, take a kickboxing class, get a nerf bat and beat the heck out of your pillow, paint, sew, refinish some furniture, clean the cupboards, drive somewhere and watch the sunset or sunrise, grab your camera and take a photo tour of your neighborhood…. just do something different!!!  Change up the scenery get out of the funky rut and breathe, laugh.  Shake it off!

6. Love and help another.

When we stop thinking for a moment, (I’m not saying not deal with what’s going on) about our doubt, and give to someone, love someone, that is in need. It gives us some headspace to get perspective.  Feed the homeless, help a neighbor, meet with a girlfriend and console or encourage, fill a backpack for a needy child, plan thanksgiving dinner for a family who is struggling.   When we change our patterns or our thought patterns even for a moment it can be the break that our brains need to get a better perspective.  Our neural pathways are ingrained in us and we need to shake things up to see change.

**As a little side note here, if you can’t shake your doubt and fear and it is turning into something more like depression.  See a professional. I have spent a lot of years talking things out with some amazing professionals who are part of my reinforcement every day. When things arise that I suddenly feel like I can’t handle, I turn to the lessons I learned through my therapy. It will be the best money you have ever spent and there is absolutely, positively, NO SHAME in seeing someone to help you!***

You are perfectly imperfect and that is a beautiful thing! There is nothing sexier that a women who knows who she is, the good, the bad, and the even better!

We as women uniquely understand the inner battle that goes on each day inside of us. Let’s encourage each other, love each other and be a safe place for each other.

You are in my heart and a part of me.”

Closing signature

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Posted Oct 20, 2019
Headshot photo of artist

Hello there! I’m Shawn Petite

I’ve been teaching and creating for well over 25 years. About 15 years ago I found my art soul mate in mixed media, and it changed my life! I love the story that can be told by combining paint, texture, ink, paper and—really anything that you can imagine.

But what I’m truly passionate about is being your guide, walking with you step by step and helping you become your own hero in your creative journey.

Along my path, I’ve learned that the creating art also creates a healing space. Life can be messy and complicated and painful, but something about a paint brush can help heal your soul. I believe—no, I know—you are worthy of love, and I want to teach you to know that about yourself. Join me on this journey of art and inspiration!

8 Comments

  1. Celise M McLaughlin

    this is so gorgeous, glad to see you come back to your roots both in your work and your words.

    Reply
  2. Nancy A Olsen

    Your video’s inspire me so much, when I’m unable to create you show me I can and then I do . ( Does that make any sense ??) Watching this particular video reminds me of my wonderful mother in law and now I can’t wait to get to my studio to create . I thank you for that . Enjoy , and have have a wonderful day !

    Reply
  3. Carole Morrison

    Shawn……First and foremost: I’m so relieved that you’re okay!!! ……and I’m so happy to have “found” your Sunday Inspiration posted on Facebook!!!

    A beautiful piece of artwork……as always…….and what you wrote all those years ago are so “today” meaningful!! When you toss a stone into a river, you never know how far the ripples will travel………and now you have verification that this is so true…….your ripples travel through years and beyond……..bless you, my friend……..

    Reply
    • shawn

      love you Carole! Thanks for checking on me! hugs!

      Reply
  4. Bev W

    I love the mixture of light and dark, and the bright yellow with the vintage look. How do you print the flower on tissue paper?

    Reply
    • shawn

      I tape it to copy paper. I share how to do it in several of my workshops and in the creative souls facebook page. Thanks so much for being here!

      Reply
  5. Kathleen Coppersmith

    I absolutely love your work. The art is beautiful in and of itself but the messages make it ART with POWER. Thanks for the tutorials. They have helped me play, learn , grow and gain confidence in expressing myself through making art.

    Reply
    • shawn

      Thank you Kathleen, and thank you for being here and I’m so glad that I can inspire you! Have fun creating!

      Reply

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