Do you remember the feeling of exhilaration when you mastered riding a bicycle? That sense of freedom, self-worth, and accomplishment that followed those scraped knees, embarrassing false starts, spills, and frustration. My sparkly banana seat bicycle with its flowing streamers gave me the freedom to explore a much larger world and control my own comings and goings. The process of desire to learn, followed by struggle, failure, persistence, recommitment to my goal, and eventual success has been the key to every accomplishment in my life. Maybe it has been key to your success too.
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Mastery, defined as a sense of competence and control over the forces that affect your life, enables you to weather negative life events and other stressful conditions. When you feel confident and worthwhile you are less likely to dwell on the negative or to withdraw from family and friends. As a high school teacher, it became clear to me that mastery is a key growth stage for teenagers. Those students who are able to master a comprehensive knowledge or skill feel self-reliant and ready to navigate the world as adults.
Unfortunately, many highly intelligent teens do not meet their mastery needs at school. Much of the current education process is cram-pass-forget. Students cram information into their short-term memory hoping to pass a test and then forget the information soon after. Fortunately, it doesn’t really matter what they get good at. What’s important is that they be good at something, that they enjoy it, see the value in it, and have others see the value as well. The process of acquiring mastery is universal and has certain universal benefits.
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When you pour your heart and soul into something that matters to you, you begin to discover your true self. As you dedicate your time and energy to a creative task you discover what you are truly thinking and feeling. You find you must actively choose to spend your time there and avoid other tempting pursuits. By sacrificing for your craft you further define yourself in the larger context of the world.
While you may never become the Simone Biles of your chosen skillset, there will be moments of pure fulfillment when you finish a piece of work and step back to admire the beauty of it. When you take a deep breath and say to yourself “This is what I was meant to do, I am proud of this” when you feel the creative power flowing through you and the certainty that you are aligned on the correct path, heading in the right direction.
Finally, the passionate pursuit of mastery has the added benefit of opening up related doors because when people sense your enthusiasm and witness your dedication, it’s only natural for them to spread your message. As your message spreads, new opportunities arise. You’ll have the chance to meet new people, apply for new positions, go to new places, and create new things. Learning how to learn is one of the greatest benefits of mastery.
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This is why Art matters more now than it ever has. Art engages the whole heart and mind of the artist in the complex layering of skill and creativity. It requires years of dedication to achieve Mastery and to create Masterpieces.
Mastery is not easy. It is not simple or quick or painless. Even so, if you put in effort and sacrifice, the pursuit of mastery will more than pay you back in self-discovery, fulfillment, and growth. I invite you to allow me to lovingly guide, support, and accompany you in your pursuit of mastery in painting.
With light and delight,
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P.S. If you didn't get the chance to download your free gift from me: Here is my "Inner Artist Inspiration Package" - a series of illustrated quotes in watercolor based on flower photos taken by family and friends. |
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We are defined by what we make time to do, not by what we do when we have time. -Todd Henry
It's not enough to put your whole heart and soul into something. The really important things require much more than that. - Leigh Standley
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What to See: A Safari for the Soul
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481 South Federal Hwy
Dania Beach, FL 33004
Inside the Gallery of Amazing Things
Phone: 954.376.6690
The Ardmore studio was founded in 1985 by Fée Halsted, a young graduate ceramicist who started teaching local people how to sculpt and paint on pottery.
Awards and accolades in the early years led to the expansion of her enterprise and an international market for the studio’s ceramic art, which pulsates with vitality and originality.
There are now more than 80 artists earning a living through their work at Ardmore. They are known by their Zulu neighbors as the Isigweli, the fortunate ones.
Not only has the Ardmore community been uplifted socially and economically by their ceramic art, but the natural exuberance of the artists also lifts the spirits of everyone who encounters their fanciful animal creations. Their whimsical sense of humor is contagious and invariably inspires joy and happiness in audiences around the world. The scope and imagination of Fée and the artists knows no bounds now that their ceramic designs are being interpreted for silk wearable art by Hermès, wallpapers by Cole & Son, and fabulous fabrics for table linens and scatter cushions.
The Ardmore Studio helps create awareness of the plight of endangered animals in Africa and the need to protect the environment. Their designs address issues such as ivory poaching, illegal hunting and trafficking are represented in sensitive studies of rhinos, elephants, leopards, and pangolins.
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August Art Book Club Selection :
by B.A. Shapiro
August 19 at 6:30 pm EST
on Zoom
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Mystery, intrigue, romance, history, art, there's something for everyone here. The foundation of the story is based on the 1990 theft of thirteen paintings from The Isabella Gardner Museum. Barbara Shapiro paints a tale of the who, why, what to explore a plausible explanation regarding one of the most famous art pieces gone missing that day; a Degas. In the story the stolen painting is a fictional work by the famous artist named After the Bath. Claire Roth, an artist and reproductionist, makes a deal to forge the stolen painting.
Please join Lark Keeler and me along with friends known and new on Thursday, August 19, 2021 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm for our next meeting.
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Art Adventure :
Saturday, August 21, 2021
in Dania Beach, FL:
The Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts is a non-profit museum founded in 2014 by Arthur Wiener and his family to inspire appreciation and understanding of ceramics and glass as art forms.
WMODA is a world-class collection of ceramic art and studio glass whose galleries showcase the finest British and European pottery and porcelain from the last two centuries, including Wedgwood, Royal Doulton, Lladró and Ardmore. Glass collections feature stunning works of art by Lalique and Chihuly.
We will meet at 11:00 am at the Fish Grill (75 N. Federal Highway -parking in the back)
and then we will drive over to the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts at 481 South Federal Highway (free parking across the street for the Gallery of Amazing Things - the museum is on the second floor) to explore the many exhibitions (List here).
Entry to the museum and the cost of lunch are on your own. (Admission:Adults: $12 - Groupons often available).
481 South Federal Hwy
Dania Beach, FL 33004
Inside the Gallery of Amazing Things
Phone: 954.376.6690
Lunch at The Fish Grill
75 N. Federal Hwy
Dania Beach, FL 33004
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Private Lessons and Events |
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Master Classes for High School Students |
Private, highly personalized classes in mastery for artistically-minded US & international students virtually on Zoom or in person at my home.
If you have a student who is a visual thinker, willing to push the boundaries of their own work, and serious about improving their options for college, I want to hear from you! Schedule a time to discuss how I can collaborate with you to build a portfolio that will give your student the greatest chance for success.
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Private Guided Art Events |
Host a live or virtual art party for a group of friends, a family member, or a business event!
Choose from a full menu of flexible painting packages to fit your party’s vibe. Or, I can create a custom art project to suit your event. I will take care of the details so you can just relax and enjoy yourself.
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Sketchbook Prompt:
What nourishes you? Consider the cosmic conditions necessary to bring you sustenance. What fills your heart, your soul, your belly? What images come to mind?
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Artwork Available
On Display at the Old Sculpin Gallery until September 1, 2021
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In The Rigging
Now available for sale for $850
Media: Watercolor on Arches
Size: 22” x 30”
Featured in the book:
from July 1 - September 1, 2021
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What a great time we had visiting the NSU Art Museum! I was inspired by the Anna Sui fashion exhibition. What fun it would be to have a costume party with her clothes. Thank you Lark for sharing your knowledge of the fascinating exhibits and thank you ladies for your enthusiasm. How wonderful to be with a group who is just as excited as I am about art and to hear your impressions of the works we were seeing. I can’t wait until next month when we visit WMODA together.
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NSU MUSEUM OF ART -
July 23, 2021
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