Day 24: Season 2, Episode 13 Final Grace

The last one of season 2! For this one, I swapped out some nylon brushes with natural bristle brushes to help me get better texture for the little bushes in the front. I got to admit, I am a really harsh critic on myself AS I’m painting along with Bob. I think a lot of the time, it’s hard for me to walk the tightrope of keeping a restrained hand while painting and actively trying to get things right on the canvas. I keep fighting with the inner perfectionist that keeps analyzing every little stroke I make. This weekend, I stepped away from my paints for a little bit and when I looked back on my work this morning, I saw them with new eyes. Hey, maybe you’re being too hard on yourself. These actually look nice. This happens to me A LOT with many aspects of my life. When I’m in the middle of something, I am constantly criticizing myself. It’s not until afterwards when I take a step back from things that I realize that I’m my harshest critic. I focus a lot on the things that are wrong, or things that need to be improved. Sometimes so much so that I forget to acknowledge the good parts. It’s a tough cycle to get out of within the moment, for sure. This is why I love painting: it makes me realize things about myself. It forces me to be more present and pushes me into the habit of letting things happen. For someone who is constantly in their head and filled with anxiety, this is such a healthy ritual for my own mental health.