I never knew that the word COURAGE has its roots with HEART. And I never really noticed the connection between courage and encourage. I've been thinking about these words.....you see, I recently was sent a letter, from another continent, from a girl who has taught me as much about myself as she has learned about herself. The letter accompanied a piece of art, and explained her purpose for sending both. She thanked me for giving her Courage to Play. It was one of those unexpected gifts - to see yourself through someone else's eyes, to witness a geniune act of kindness, to feel validated as an artist, as a person.
It takes courage to try new things. It takes courage to make art. It takes courage to share your art. It takes courage to challenge yourself to do all these things. And it comes from the heart.
I see that it's a circle. Coral felt encouraged to stretch herself. She was encouraged by what she's read and seen in books and had the courage to try to take her art to new places. (and I don't just mean from Australia to New Jersey). She had the courage to share the art she made for me, therefore encouraging ME. She made me feel like what I do is worthwhile to her. Now how cool is that?
Coral's gift, this painted canvas, is filled with many thoughtful connections just for me. You'll recognize my rubber collection names of HomeWARD and WayWARD, my initials (cuz I love anything M or W), the architectural images and dimensional details, the miniature keyholes, tags! and the lovely Irish Blessing. She even used my colors.... She GETS me, and yet we've never met. And how does she know me? Maybe from a few magazine articles or maybe from a book or two I've been in....or maybe it's because she visits here. That's my guess.
The next time I get asked why I blog, I'll tell them the Coral story.
To Coral, my new friend, and to all of you who have ever had the courage to share your art with me, or your kind words in private notes or via comments here, I thank you, with my whole encouraged heart.
Do you have the courage to encourage someone today?
Congrats to Johanna Goisser from Germany! She was the Street Team Top Hat pick for Crusade No. 8: Cheap Tricks. We've started No. 9: What's that Smell? Come on over and play.....have some courage!
