... a quote from James Harriot, Yorkshire animal vet and famed hero of the book All Creatures Great and Small said that... "Big Steps and Little Uns". He had visited an urbanscape (of the time-which was 1950's) and he struggled in the hustle and bustle to walk his usual pace and gait. You see, he was used to the Dales; rolling hills, few fences, fewer people; walking with long strides, unencumbered by crowds and curbs and cars and such.

England was at war and the time had come for James to join his military unit. His last day at the practice was a busy one and James was repeatedly called out when he had hopes to spend a last, quiet evening at home with wife Helen. He had plans and war had poked its ugly head in and said-"feed me now". Dealing with the frustration of that final day, he reminded himself that it takes big steps AND little uns to get through.

We are at war, us artists. The enemy of our soul wants to discourage us, to tire us out, to make us quit. He wants to divide and conquer us. He wants to make us doubt our call.

But he will not have his way. We know who wins the war. The right side wins the war - the side of good. That is just the way it is.

James went to war, came back from war, and took up his practice again. Can't you imagine that one of the first things he did was take a lengthy walk in the hills of the Dales, with his really long strides?

This week I have had little and big steps. Monday I was discouraged and wanted to quit. Tuesday was one of the most progressive days in my art business. So glad I did not give up on Monday night (I really wanted to).

Walking that way is disturbing. Sometimes-big strides, small movement, and sometimes feeling like we are standing still... worse yet... moving backwards. Ouch!

Today, be encouraged, no matter if your steps are small or large, or if you are crawling along -you will get there. Remember, you win!

These "Colorado Love Rocks" which I created on Tuesday remind me of the "little uns". I left my studio at 11:15 PM, tired, happy and reminded that I am on the winning side too.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GreatCompany

It has been 15 years since I opened that first tube of watercolor, probably cheap student grade. I picked up watercolor for the first time when I turned 40 (and had 2 babies under 2 years old).  My first teacher said something that shaped my very existence as an artist.... "Don't ever throw anything away" (referring to our paintings). What was meant as a blessing, has become a burden. The count would be embarrassing - I have hundreds and hundreds of paintings (which I must add here-means that I work hard at my craft).

So today, I jumped in and sorted them (the ones in my studio-ignoring the hundreds in the garage). I snapped pics of every category. I like the piles. They look nice. They look neat. They say... "someone thought this out", "we are important", "something good is going to happen to us" and the one I love to hear my art say, "we are off the floor and we won't be slept on by the cat anymore".

"Ladies In Waiting" is what I call the pile of paintings I don't really have a vision for right now, but I can't part with. They will be beautiful, they will be the bride someday, but today they are "Ladies in Waiting". I even labeled them such to make the wait not so painful, and to give them hope.

Yes, you have noticed it. I personify my paintings. So here is a album of the persons that reside in my studio.

Watch for my paintings on Etsy. i will be letting go of those Ladies In Waiting soon.