“The more the marble wastes the more the statue grows.” Michelangelo

It can be super motivating jumping aboard the self improvement train these days. Embracing growth, improve skill sets, reduce bad habits and seeking joy can be a positive track to discovery.

If not mindful, this journey could become a freight train of constant self judgement, comparison risks and relentless desire  for impossible goals of perfection. Art & humanity are naturally, beautifully flawed. A fact, at times forgotten or linked to shame. 

When that happens, positive vibes no longer fuel learning fulfillment. Instead, energy depletes, disrupts and hinders progress. Its a no-win situation of push pull ; wanting to improve combined with severe self criticism.

Artists may experience this within ( art is life long continuous learning skill) and externally. People often value art more if it looks like something they have seen before. “… paint like Van Gogh and you will be onto something. ” “ Realism is the only mastery.” Fans express opinions of the art, how the artist should look, or behave. “You need to dress like an artist and brood. Artists are usually moody, right?” 

You may have encountered similar circumstance of negative peer pressure, unrealistic demands set by others, or yourselves. The acceleration to be more, driving what makes you special, away. 

The wonderful reality is, you are unique from anyone in the world, and this is to be celebrated along a path to evolvement.

As the wise Dr. Seuss wrote: 

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!….

You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own.  And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!

( excerpts from “Oh the Places You’ll Go” )

Possibilities are indeed endless. 

Use Michelangelo’s theory with the idea you are both sculptor and marble. Amazing potential, knowledge and greatness already lie dormant within. You just need to set it free.

Let go of what does not serve you, and your shining authentic self emerges. “The more the marble wastes, the more the statue grows.”

~

The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” ~Anna Quindlen

 “If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.”Michelangelo

“You’ll miss the best things if your eyes are shut.” Dr Seuss

Artwork~

“Psyche & Cupid” pencil drawing 1986 ~ Dawn Banning

Sunset over Homestead (barn) 11×14 oil $660.oo

The Beast- wood sculpture Manitou Beach, artist unknown.( photo Dawn Banning).

Mountain 4ftx3ft oil $4,345.oo

Blue Skies 4ftx2ft oil $3960.oo

Roses 14×18 oil $910.oo