this peony

This peony is the very first one I ever painted....

way back when I decided that I had to start painting.

I remember painting it from a photograph,

while we were on vacation at the shore....

sitting at a little kitchen table very early each morning, 

before my family woke up.  

Isn't it funny how strong some memories can be?

I can distinctly remember the morning light, the quiet of the house,

and...most of all...

the feeling that I had finally painted a painting.

I signed up for my very first workshop with Arleta Pech.

I had her book and admired her work so much.

We needed to bring a painting for the critique on the last day of the workshop.

I was so nervous!  I can still remember that feeling.

I brought my little peony.

I was so intimidated that I almost didn't put my painting in the critique.

When it was my turn, Arleta said

"This peony.  This peony is soft, delicate and beautiful."

She told me to trust myself and trust my style.

I remember driving home that day, practically floating on air.

..and in my journal I wrote

"I am an artist".

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