Does anyone out there have trouble doing what this title suggests?

Ask for what you want. Sounds so simple, so… easy. I did this naturally as a child and kept doing it even though I didn’t always get what I was asking for. When going through my horsey stage, every year, for about four years I think, I’d tell my mom all I wanted for Christmas was a horse. We lived in the suburbs; I thought I could just keep her in the backyard. Life seems simple when you’re a kid.

Yet, in and of itself, asking is simple. The give and take of asking and receiving is simple. The messy bit is being vulnerable while you ask. When did that become difficult? How else will we get what we want? Why do we keep ourselves separate from potential loving responses and the support we crave and need?

It’s really so silly to fear being vulnerable, when that is the real reward. At its center, vulnerability offers peace and grace and strength. (This is who I am. Who will like me as I am?) Being vulnerable allows for true friendships and love, and weeds out those who cannot offer that.

Gypsy Mood: I love the colors and the light-hearted sweep of this piece. This is one in a series of abstracts (you saw others in a previous blog) I began in my quest to loosen up my painting style. My desire is to take this free-fall feeling and reinterpret all the creatures and things I love to paint like dragonflies and bamboo and garden temples…

Like the horse dream, I have another that is just as heartfelt, just as deep. It is to be a really good artist (and I mean a really really really good one) and to have the message of my art reach out to touch the childlike eager hearts of others. I want so much for what I paint to soothe and uplift and happyfy (it’s my blog, I’m allowed to make up my own words) the little kid souls in others - maybe lying dormant, perhaps reluctantly swept under the rug of adulthood - quietly waiting for someone else to acknowledge them.

To that end, I am in the deep process of reclaiming my authentic artistic voice. Let me say this clearly: I see you. I love you. You are safe. Come out and join me.

I am involved in a process of excavation. I am revamping my Website and you will soon see a tidal wave of new art I have been busy with during my time with the Master Class program I spoke of earlier. I am now involved in a second group of fellow creatives who are seeking the same reward of authenticity, uniqueness, freedom, contentment.

I want feedback. I want you to play with me. How do you think I am doing? What do you see and feel and think when you look at my art? What would you do differently? And then…do you want anything right now? If it feels right for you, tell me about your dreams. Let’s start a conversation.

Eight Brocades: Here I share my love for T’ai Chi. This pose in one of a series (hence the title) and is called “Drawing The Bow To Shoot The Arrow.” The remaining “brocades” are represented by the seven background colors. I have already redesigned her so keep an eye out for a different interpretation coming soon to a blog site near you!

I’m also asking, if this blog strikes a similar chord in you, that you forward it and my website info (judyaveiro.com) to others. I want to grow my tribe. I want to put myself out there and co-create with as many other crazy creatives as I can. I want to build friendships based on trust and dreams and reaching for happy.

Vulnerably yours,

Judy

PS: IF you’re interested, the book I’m reading that started all this is by Amanda Palmer titled: “The Art of Asking.” Thanks, Patrice, for turning me on to her! xo