Until this morning, I'd forgotten I even had this song. This is my first attempt at Permission to Play, inspired by Michelle's post about the fearless four-year-old. I created it from my own experiences in life, what I've learned from being part of this community, and the things I've heard @Michelle Cyr say on more than one occasion. While it didn't really capture the four-year-old, it definitely spoke to me. This version feels the most like me and maybe you'll find a little of yourself in it too. Enjoy. ❤️

@Heather van Doorn is one of my IRL students and has been working VERY VERY hard to really understand oil painting. I'm not gonna lie, she picked a HARD image to paint. The image she chose has very subtle paint color shifts and values that she is having to train her brain to see. She took my 5 hour class in IRL June and she has returned 3 times so far for "Open Studio" to continue working on it. How about you guys tell her what you think about it. She still has one more session to get this finished up. This is what we do in "Private Lessons" in the classroom. 1:1 attention to paint THE painting that you want to paint. When you are finished, you will have confidence to paint on your own.

I tell you guys that I CAN draw but don't. Why? I don't really enjoy it. Why? Because my professor Ms. Grimes is still in my head telling me I will never be a good artist. Yesterday, @Heather van Doorn was here IRL during Open Studio here in Wisconsin and I decided I should take my own advice. Push past my fear of fucking it up and just do it. After all, Heather is a really cool cat and isn't judgy. She is super positive, open and just all around cool. So I drew her. It's the first time I have tried any figure drawing in 32 years. Guess what?? It FELT good! I got lost in it. I know it's not right but that is perfectly ok. The FEELING is what I was after, not the outcome. It was the first time I have done something for ME in a while.

Level 3 is FREE. If you have a 3 by your name, you are ready to go on Sunday. I hope you can attend. If you are Level 1 or 2, here is your opportunity to LEVEL UP! Skool is meant to be a game. The more you participate, the more people participate with you, the more points you earn. Give 👍🏻 = get points. Get 👍🏻 = get points. Comment on a post = get points Points earn you access to things. So, today is the day for you to level up so you can join us for FREE! I am tagging all level 1 and 2 members.

You guys!! This is the biggest fresh water fish I have ever caught!!!! Not that size matters that much to me. 🤣 but this one was amazing.