Developing a Blog Habit & Painting with Onlookers

Wow.  I have added so many new facets to my 'online life,' that I am afraid I haven't assimilated them into my daily living on a regular basis.  So, here it is, almost two months after my last blog entry.  For anyone following my blog, who writes a blog of their own, they may understand the transition from being a non-blogger to a full fledged blogger.  I am hovering uncomfortably somewhere in between.  Hopefully, things will only improve from here.

I tried something very new for me as an artist.  I took my easel and pastels, and sat in the courtyard in front of The Red Paprika for an afternoon of painting.  I experienced this crazy 'stage fright' before I finally made myself do this.  The morning of the day I knew I would go, I nearly worked myself up into a panic.  This sounds silly, even as I write it, but I have always painted in my studio, and with nobody watching me, so this was uncharted territory for me.  Would I get stuck in the middle of the piece?  Would I make a terrible mess of things?  Would anybody care?

As it turns out, and as I have found with other things that I worry about, it ended up being far from the 'monster' that I imagined.  In fact, I had a very lovely day.  I met some amazing people:  A gentleman that owns a bed and breakfast on Prince Edwards Island; and interior decorator from the Midwest; and many other locals and tourists who were just out to enjoy the day.  And, to top it off, I did not forget how to paint in this new setting.   I am definitely planning to do it again.  I can't wait, in fact!  What an about face.

                                                             The Red Paprika courtyard
-Debbie