Challenge Accepted.

I’m not usually one to stray away from a challenge, so when I was contacted to commission this piece of art that would contain a family crest, I thought no big deal. Then my anxiety got ahold of me, and I had serious doubts about whether I’d even be able to finish it, or what it would look like when it was done.

As many of you know, I went to school for art. While my concentration was photography, my major was Studio Art so I took classes that covered drawing, painting, sculpture, and graphic design, among other things. Painting is something I did a lot in college and have done for hire a few times since college, and I very much enjoy it. But most often, the pieces I have done have been simple backgrounds with bible verses or quotes of some kind on them, and not very artistically challenging.

This was different.

Family crests are no joke! As I began to trace the crest onto the 1x12 they wanted to hang in their house, I could feel my anxiety mounting. Blending, a steady hand, intricate designs... could I do this? It was beginning to feel like I couldn’t. But one stroke at a time, the painting started to come together, and better than I could’ve imagined.

I share this to encourage you. I studied art. I know I can paint. I know I can draw. Yet when it comes down to it, anxiety takes over and I have very real fear that I won’t be able to do what I was hired to do. It’s ridiculous, but how my mind works. And at times, that happens with everything. Photography, ministry, running a business... And yet, time and time again, God has provided. Things get done. Clients are happy with their final products. Students are growing in their faith in youth group. My business is slowly starting to get off the ground.

I wish I had a fix all for anxiety. What I do have is history. Anxiety tells me I can’t do something. History proves that I have done it over and over. And this painting is yet another example of how God has equipped me to walk this path that He has me on. Check out the photos below: