The Year of the Hummingbird Series: May

Sabriya Charles, Founder and Life Discovery Expert

“Please do not let this be awkward…please do not let this be awkward.” These nervous words permeated my mind after I checked in at the front desk and she directed me to a private party art room in the back. While I am no stranger to the paint canvas, I am a stranger to attending a painting class on my own and actually painting something potentially nice (most of my own paintings are a fun, free-handed mess I must admit).   

Polite hellos are exchanged between the other 3-4 people and me in the room. One family is in attendance, a couple, and then there’s…well, me! No shame in my game. I am a hummingbird, and I am not afraid to do it solo, at least, I hope so!

I settled into my stool, adjusting my custom name apron and bobbing my head lightly to the music in the background. I stared at my blank painting canvas in shock. You see, I was sure they were going to least draw guidelines on the canvas. Something to ensure that I do not paint a mess. The picture example of the moon over the water on a cloudy starry night online looked very complicated. How in the heck was I going to make this blank canvas into THAT?! I felt anxious but determined. I was an artist in this moment, no matter how well I did in this session! My monogrammed paper plate said so! I sat in my seat with the paper plate having my name written on it, dedicating the seat to me, leaving me feeling special.

Like a horse out to the races, the instructor abruptly jumped on stage with her apron and canvas, paintbrush in hand, asking us if it was okay to start a bit early. As soon as we said “yes,” she began spouting off the directions so quickly, and all you could do was hyper-focus on the moment so you would not get left behind. Use the paper plate to draw the circle moon. Light line here. Shade in there. It was happening rapidly, but I was in my zone! I was loving the fast-paced directions, and I was moving along with “Agility” as my middle name.

I was in my…what is it? My happy place! I was being challenged and creative in one space, and I was LOVING it! 

I felt bad for the people next to me as I know they struggled to keep up, but I was committed and in my moment. They used my canvas as a point of reference, as I know they were worried about being left behind. 

The instructor said something that stuck with me during the session as things came along:

“You may need to take a step back in order to get another perspective of your painting.” 

She was referring to those who were struggling to ensure their lines were straight. How often in life do we need to take a step back to regain perspective on our situations? We are so quick to muscle through things, but sometimes stepping back is exactly what we need in order to decide what needs to be painted next on our life’s canvas. 

Another attendee came in last minute, and she was painting solo, just like me! My instant urge was to catch her up in the class, and I did. She thanked me graciously, and the instructor did too. I felt proud at that moment as I was reminded of the empathy I carry. I often see parts of myself in others. We are all connected, I believe one part or another. Hers came out amazing as she caught up ever so quickly!  

At one point, while painting my clouds, I accidentally got my green mixed in with my white! At that moment, I had a decision to make. Be mortified or frustrated to the point where I get lazy the rest of the time because the painting was “ruined” or suck it up and figure out how to make it work. I noticed others getting increasingly frustrated with their canvases. I took a deep breath, mixed my paints, and corrected that cloud with grace! I made peace with it and kept on rolling. Now, I’ll always know there are tinges of green deep down in those clouds on my canvas. It means something to me.

When I came home and shared with my husband, he was in awe. My hilarious friends and family promptly let me know that my art was worth millions.

I walk away from this experience proud. Proud that I did not let perfectionism run me and that I rose to the challenge.

I do not have a steady hand. My hand-eye coordination is questionable. My artistic skills, mediocre. None of those things stopped me from producing something beautiful. Beautiful because it came, quite frankly, from nothingness.

Remember to never hesitate to take a step back to look at things from a different angle. And let Bob Ross remind us: “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.” 

*****

Thank you to Painting with a Twist of Orlando, Florida, for the challenging, joyful journey!