I just went to your talk in Ohio. I was the one that was 4 hours away that you replied “COME”. I did. I drove up and stayed in a hotel (with major anxiety and OCD) and got to see the most amazing human being, YOU! It was THE trip of my lifetime. I told my best buddy Jenny from SoCal, that I met on here. I shared with her all the experiences I went through and how exhausting but exciting it was. That I stood in line for the meet and greet but had to leave because I was crying and I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of you. All I wanted to tell you was that you have saved me over and over again. With books, art, social media posts and friends who I write/email. I can’t imagine not having my like minded community surrounding me. My friend, SoCal Jenny said this:
“I think Jenny is the perfect example that goodness multiplies in real time. Love multiplies-it does not divide. Any and all goodness that someone does in life has ripple effects that they may never see in their lifetime, and her purpose driven life to help and uplift others by bringing awareness of the importance of mental health, empathy, and self love helps so many people more than she would ever think.”
What she said was perfection and I hope she doesn’t mind that I shared. We all feel it.
So whenever you don’t feel good enough, please remember all the love that is put out in the world for you. You could draw a face with a stick figure body and put inspiring words under it and we would love it just as much as something that took you a year that you packed away because you didn’t like it enough. We love you because you are flawed like us. You feel things like us. And you have brought so much hope into our lives.
Well, hello there sweet Patti! :) Hugs! I love that you spoke about our connection, and I'm glad you voiced to Jenny on here how much she matters to you. Thank you for the shout out and for quoting me as well! I'm metaphorically waving from SoCal like an overjoyed muppet toward you, Patti, Jenny, and fellow Substackers.
Hopefully you know, Jenny, from Patti's wonderful comment that at least in some small way the immeasurable goodness you perpetuate. Thanks to you, Jenny, I met darling Patti here and have interacted with other genuinely wonderful people as well.
Patti's admirable courage to take part in your event has also inspired me to take more chances myself in my life-to dance with my anxiety and depression as opposed to fighting those (as well as my medical issues) and accept that those are there, but to take more chances outside of my comfort zone a bit. Patti has inspired me to do that more so, as have you, Jenny. Thank you for sharing your goodness with us. Sending hugs and happy Irish thoughts to all from SoCal! Happy St. Patty's!
9 times out of 10 I have to leave drafts of my work to sit for awhile because when I'm in the initial drafting process I lose track of what I'm trying to say and am convinced that I SUCK. But I've learned that if I step away when I get to spinning like that, more often than not I come back and I can find *something* in it that is good, that I like, and I can edit it into something I'm proud of.
These are both beautiful. I have been feeling the same way. I work as an occupational therapy assistant with children. I had a physical therapist ask for help with a child she sees. Afterwards she said I made her look like a liar for saying she couldn't get him to do anything. I told her that OT and PT are different and I am just good at my job. I took it as a win but I the same breath said I feel like I am failing at life.
Sharing art - both the pieces we like, and the ones we think are failures is just so important, even if it feels a bit scary. I recently shared a pen/ink sketch I did with a friend, and he could remember a similar piece I did several years ago and was able to show me everything I'd learned in between making the two pieces and how it was now showing up in my work in positive ways. I wouldn't have seen it - but he did, and that helped me think about my work differently and to use kinder words when talking about it with others.
Thank you for sharing both of these, and extra gratitude for sharing the one that didn't turn out the way you envisioned it. I absolutely adore that one and it spoke to me. Reminds me that even if something doesn't turn out exactly as I want, it could be exactly what someone else needs. Another step in letting go of perfection. Thank you for being here and sharing yourself with us, Jenny.
I love both of your drawings they are perfect you worry to much believe in you and your arts many well known artists like Monet didn't like their paintings and destroy many at least you keep them wish is great 👍❤️❤️❤️
So good. I just stare at these in awe, you know? I think that means they're working. They're doing their inspiring thing. It makes me so happy that you have this outlet and gift, among all the others.
I just went to your talk in Ohio. I was the one that was 4 hours away that you replied “COME”. I did. I drove up and stayed in a hotel (with major anxiety and OCD) and got to see the most amazing human being, YOU! It was THE trip of my lifetime. I told my best buddy Jenny from SoCal, that I met on here. I shared with her all the experiences I went through and how exhausting but exciting it was. That I stood in line for the meet and greet but had to leave because I was crying and I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of you. All I wanted to tell you was that you have saved me over and over again. With books, art, social media posts and friends who I write/email. I can’t imagine not having my like minded community surrounding me. My friend, SoCal Jenny said this:
“I think Jenny is the perfect example that goodness multiplies in real time. Love multiplies-it does not divide. Any and all goodness that someone does in life has ripple effects that they may never see in their lifetime, and her purpose driven life to help and uplift others by bringing awareness of the importance of mental health, empathy, and self love helps so many people more than she would ever think.”
What she said was perfection and I hope she doesn’t mind that I shared. We all feel it.
So whenever you don’t feel good enough, please remember all the love that is put out in the world for you. You could draw a face with a stick figure body and put inspiring words under it and we would love it just as much as something that took you a year that you packed away because you didn’t like it enough. We love you because you are flawed like us. You feel things like us. And you have brought so much hope into our lives.
Well, hello there sweet Patti! :) Hugs! I love that you spoke about our connection, and I'm glad you voiced to Jenny on here how much she matters to you. Thank you for the shout out and for quoting me as well! I'm metaphorically waving from SoCal like an overjoyed muppet toward you, Patti, Jenny, and fellow Substackers.
Hopefully you know, Jenny, from Patti's wonderful comment that at least in some small way the immeasurable goodness you perpetuate. Thanks to you, Jenny, I met darling Patti here and have interacted with other genuinely wonderful people as well.
Patti's admirable courage to take part in your event has also inspired me to take more chances myself in my life-to dance with my anxiety and depression as opposed to fighting those (as well as my medical issues) and accept that those are there, but to take more chances outside of my comfort zone a bit. Patti has inspired me to do that more so, as have you, Jenny. Thank you for sharing your goodness with us. Sending hugs and happy Irish thoughts to all from SoCal! Happy St. Patty's!
Happy St. Paddy’s Day, my friend! So very thankful for your kindness and thoughtful words 🤗
We are all a little crooked and imperfect, so why should our art be any different? I love both of these drawings! Thank you for sharing them.
9 times out of 10 I have to leave drafts of my work to sit for awhile because when I'm in the initial drafting process I lose track of what I'm trying to say and am convinced that I SUCK. But I've learned that if I step away when I get to spinning like that, more often than not I come back and I can find *something* in it that is good, that I like, and I can edit it into something I'm proud of.
I'm glad you came back to her.
These are both beautiful. I have been feeling the same way. I work as an occupational therapy assistant with children. I had a physical therapist ask for help with a child she sees. Afterwards she said I made her look like a liar for saying she couldn't get him to do anything. I told her that OT and PT are different and I am just good at my job. I took it as a win but I the same breath said I feel like I am failing at life.
We are our own worst critics.
These are LOVELY, Jenny!
I wish I had a fraction of your talent.
~Susan
Sharing art - both the pieces we like, and the ones we think are failures is just so important, even if it feels a bit scary. I recently shared a pen/ink sketch I did with a friend, and he could remember a similar piece I did several years ago and was able to show me everything I'd learned in between making the two pieces and how it was now showing up in my work in positive ways. I wouldn't have seen it - but he did, and that helped me think about my work differently and to use kinder words when talking about it with others.
Thank you for sharing both of these, and extra gratitude for sharing the one that didn't turn out the way you envisioned it. I absolutely adore that one and it spoke to me. Reminds me that even if something doesn't turn out exactly as I want, it could be exactly what someone else needs. Another step in letting go of perfection. Thank you for being here and sharing yourself with us, Jenny.
I think they are both lovely. 🖤
I love both of your drawings they are perfect you worry to much believe in you and your arts many well known artists like Monet didn't like their paintings and destroy many at least you keep them wish is great 👍❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful. These are both wonderful. Thank you.
I love them!
So good. I just stare at these in awe, you know? I think that means they're working. They're doing their inspiring thing. It makes me so happy that you have this outlet and gift, among all the others.
"Even in your darkest, you are still someone's light." Priceless.
I like your art a lot! And thanks for the reminder, Jenny :)
I LOVE the one you don't think is right. I think it's PERFECT.
I like your art!