Fencing. That’s how my newly appointed art coach described the process of painting. You lunge forward with your spear, poking, prodding, and slashing the air. Then, you make a hasty retreat. You pause and consider your next move while simultaneously trying hard to anticipate your opponent's next move.

THE COMBAT OF CREATION

It feels like combat! You’re at war with your canvas in a fierce battle for domination and territorial victory. There’s the clashing and clanging of swords, sparks flying, paint splattering, sloshing about, and being moved back and forth. Each stroke is a calculated attack, each color a weapon in your artistic arsenal.

GAINING THE UPPER HAND

Then something extraordinary happens: you gain the upper hand. The fight shifts gears as you forget about battling with your mind. Your heart takes over, and suddenly, you engage—fully. No more hasty backward steps in retreat; you’re ready to face the challenge head-on.

AN ALL-CONSUMING ENERGY

You’re all in now. There’s an energy and passion that consumes you. You start to feel it in your bones, your marrow, every fiber of your being. This is where true creativity ignites, and you become one with your art. The canvas transforms from a mere surface into a dynamic battleground filled with emotion and intent.

As the tension and emotion of all that pent-up energy reaches a crashing crescendo, you prepare for the final plunge. You step back, take a deep breath, and let it happen…aaaah!

THE SWEET TASTE OF VICTORY

It is done! The victory is won, and another painting is finished. Each completed piece stands as a testament to the struggle, the passion, and the exhilaration of creating art. The battle may have been fierce, but the rewards are worth every stroke.