Photo prompt: © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
She knew from the moment she walked in that she was way out of her league. Her virgin palette was blinding amidst the well-worn, paint-that-will-never-come-off-anymore held by others. She felt blush suffuse her face and an even deeper shame at raised eyebrows and feigned disinterest. Apparently she did not even warrant curiosity. An outsider. A wannabe.
She almost up and left.
But she’d saved for months to afford the class, and she spent her last on paints and brushes.
The need to create pulsed in her blood.
She stood her ground.
Blending in or sticking out, she’d stay. She’ll paint.
For Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers
Been there. 🤪 well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you! 🙂 I am hopeless when it comes to drawing, but my mom paints, and so do some others in my family. Yay to doing what your heart loves!
LikeLiked by 2 people
A journey of a thousand miles….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! 🙂
LikeLike
Good for her. I can’t draw or paint at all
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not my forte, either …. though there are some very talented painters and artists in my family, I find that my medium is images in words, not painting or drawing or illustrating … 🙂 To each their own, eh? 🙂
LikeLike
Everyone has to start somewhere. Years ago I took several art classes. An observation is that those who were the most snotty towards beginners where the ones who painted skillful but totally and completely lifeless paintings…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, everyone had to start someplace, and one never knows what skill they might develop till they had the opportunity and space to explore and practice. I agree with you that those who often are the snottiest are those who have the least talent (and perhaps are fearful of a novice outshining them …).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Na’ama Y’karah,
After two years at the Kansas City Art Institute it was clear my teachers and I had very different ideas of what art is. Although, in looking back, I realize how immature I was. Now instead of following the “experts” in my painting, I follow my own lead. 😉 Said all that to say, I like your MC’s attitude. She’s going to make it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think she’s gonna make it, too! And … sometimes immaturity is part of the process to maturity … just saying … 😉
LikeLike
Yay! I cheered at the attitude of your protagonist! A lovely, feisty, heart-warming story, Na’ama
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Penny! I think sometimes novices are intimidated by those more experienced, but none of us started anything with experience it in … So, it needs to be built, and acquired, and she’s up to the task! 🙂
LikeLike
Good story. Confidence is always difficult for any artist, especially in a group of peers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! I think she may not think of herself as a peer quite yet, but I’m thinking she may well very soon be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brava!!!
💕💕💕
Adele Ryan McDowell, Ph.D.
AdeleRyanMcDowell.com Adeleandthepenguin.com MakingPeacewithSuicide.com Channeledgrace.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, dear Adele! 🙂 XOXO
LikeLike
Good for her! Who cares what others think? And who knows? Maybe she’s a whole lot better than she thinks. I’m on her side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and I both! 🙂 Totally on her side! 🙂
LikeLike
You got that feeling of first awkwardness when trying something new so well, Na’ama. I’m glad she worked through it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, she worked through it, and this is what also makes me believe she’ll do well! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not worried about her for one second. And how rude of those already there – as if they didn’t once have their first time!
Wonderful take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Eeeezatly!!
People forget that they, too, were greenhorns once and that they, too, had to start someplace. Be welcoming, not dismissive! 🙂
You got it, galfrend! 🙂 THANK YOU! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I tells ya… Peeps have short memories sometimes, don’t they?
And MY PLEASURE! 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
xoxo 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know this tale…shoot, we all do. Well done. She’ll kick butt for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Yes, I think we all know it in one way or the other … and how we manage it says a lot about what will happen next. She will kick some behinds for sure!
LikeLike
Good on her. Who are they to judge her anyway? Nice take!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spot on! Exactly! Yes! 🙂 Thank you!!!
LikeLike
It’s hard as a beginner, surrounded by talent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It IS hard to be a beginner, though she may end up being the talent, surrounded by experience … 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being different from the rest is the key to success in the world of art. A good start, go, girl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great point! We don’t need more cookie-cutter-facsimiles (well, unless it is cookies … and even then I like the odd one out, with the stick-out burnt end, or oddly squiggled edges … ;)) She’ll do well indeed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cookies with character!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Yep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A framed print on my wall says, “What will people say?” — ‘This sentence has killed more dreams than anything else in the world.’ I could go on. But yea for her and those like ‘er. OK, one more, “Have the courage to suck at something new.” Inspirational story. Well done, Na’ama.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah! I agree – we should be FAR less concerned about what people would say and a LOT more concerned at whether our actions are kind, whether our souls are content, and whether our deeds are good. Trying new things is fab! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s the spirit. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Yep!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for her! Everyone has to start somewhere!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, Linda! And I think she’s realized it and will forge ahead! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that rang a thousand bells with me. But you have to start somewhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed one has to, Sandra, no matter what the new skill is. 🙂 And … it is okay to be a beginner. I’m not sure why so many expect proficiency at first sight, when we all know nothing in life is like that! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simple tale, but true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Trish. I bet we were all that beginner painter in some reincarnation at some point, and had to make a decision – muster our courage and stay anyway, or curl out tail and leave because we felt intimidated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Following her dreams, good for her!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Always a good thing to not be intimidated even if one is a beginner – we all begin SOMEPLACE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for her, she’s as much right as anyone to be there
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, Michael! And no one knows what talents she may develop. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for her! I am glad she managed to overcome the impostor syndrome, or just her extreme shyness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Either one, she seems to be on the right path! 😁
LikeLike