You know what you know - and sometimes it’s hard to look outside of the ‘rules’ you’ve imposed on yourself.

But lately, I’ve been inspired by seeing other artists on Instagram using all kinds of implements to make their art and I’ve begun experimenting using the palette knife more in my paintings.

It’s allowing me to be more fluid and less constrained in my approach. Having less rigidity in our life is something most of us can benefit from…

"I felt all the sadness, disappointment and grief I had stored in my body, regarding my decision to abandon my art.

I felt totally raw and exposed…

It was time to paint and let it all out."

My doubting mind enquired… ‘Am I really good enough to put my art work in a gallery?’

The only time I’d ever exhibited was in 1999, at the end of my senior year of college (university) where I had to be part of the ‘senior show exhibit’ - a requirement to graduate.

After graduating, I turned my back on my art - choosing to ignore my heart’s callings and head into ‘the business world’…

A few years ago I stumbled across the concept of Ikigai - a Japanese concept of understanding what gives us our sense of purpose and reason for living.

Your Ikigai is the sweet spot between what you love, what you’re great at, what the world wants and what the world is willing to pay for. Where that all coalesces is your Ikigai – that which makes life worth living…

How old were you when you stepped away from your heart’s calling?
I was just 21 - finishing up college… ready to step out into the world…

From the moment we enter this world, our little souls are being guided as to what is right and what is wrong. What we should and should not do - with our time, our bodies, our money.

Much of the guidance is well meaning… but all of it is directed through experienced adult eyes. Eyes that view the world through their own lens’ of experience, challenges, heartaches and dissapointments.

What is your heart whispering to you? And can you create a little space in your life to allow that whisper to be heard over the noise of every day life?

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The past year has been an interesting one indeed.

There I was ‘enjoying’ a successful start in a challenging new business venture with a good friend...