The Art of Life
Photobucket I'm so glad you're here! "The Art of Life" is where I share my journey as an artist & Momma. It's a place where I hope to encourage other women that they are artists too. In this small little space I seek to share, document, and be reminded of God's wonderful grace, all around us. ....And I would be so happy to have you journey alongside me! So grab a cup of coffee and linger for a while. I hope you leave feeling refreshed. Photobucket

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Blogging and Vulnerability

~~Day after day I sit at this keyboard, at this cursor on a screen, and I spill out my heart.
Over 4 years I've come here. Four years of writing and growing.
This blog started as more of a scrapbook; a place to document the journey of life.
But over time it has become more.
It has seen hard times and joy, encouragement and growth

~~I have been told, more than once, that as an artist I should keep my blog professional;
Only share about art and techniques.
Never talk about anything too personal such as children or beliefs.
You might offend people.
But how can I share about my art without sharing where it comes from? 
Some days the empty comment box blinks at me and I wonder......

~~But life spills out into art and through this place I have come to see
that maybe my words can be art too.
If my risk of being vulnerable encourages just one person
than I am willing to risk.
And so I dip my brush into the paint,
I place my fingers onto the keys,
and I write.

***Just read this wonderful post: "What Will We Do With Our Words?"***
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10 comments:

Hattie said...

Hi, Kasie,
I find your posts encouraging and just wanted to let you know. Thank you for Holley's post that you recommented today. I read it and put it on my favorites. I was recently stunned (maybe I should say stung) by someone's words. An acquaintance turned to me in line and said...."Not to be nosey, but..." Then proceeded to ask a question that indeed made me uncomfortable. I felt no sense of love or compassion in her voice. Afterwards I said a prayer that I might forgive her and ask the Lord to please help me to be sensitive with the words I use.
Thank you for your encouraging post.

Kasie @ ~The Art of Life~ said...

Thank you Hattie.

Jo Castillo said...

Your blog is always a bright spot in my days. You are inspiring and encouraging. Beautiful art and artist!!

Misti said...

I too have started struggling with what I should and shouldn't write. Not that I'm an art blog but I guess I am trying to find a niche in the outdoor world---or some niche I make for myself.

I want to rant, even had a good long one written out about being green, deleted it, resurrected it and then rewrote it to what it is today. Not what I wanted to say but somewhat what I wanted to say.

Should I rant? Should I not? I guess if I an figure out how to eloquently write like Mandy does maybe I will get there!

I always look forward to your blog and even if I don't always comment, I always read! Sometimes blog posts don't begat comments for a reason---there isn't really a need for a comment but know that you are being read and heard!

Kasie @ ~The Art of Life~ said...

I do think staying true to your heart and yourself is the most important thing Misti. And I feel foolish because I'm not so good at leaving comments myself. I hope it didn't seem like I was fishing for them. I think the lack of comments just makes me wonder sometimes if I'm even connecting with an audience at all.
Right after I posted this someone unsubscribed and that stung a little. But you know, I really want to connect to the people who connect with me and my art. I don't want to bother the people who don't.
Authenticity. I'm still trying to get there.

Belinda Lindhardt said...

"Be who you are, and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

I have these thoughts as well Kasie, perhaps i reveal too much but.. thats part of who you are dont let others make you feel bad. Love is the key :)

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

My first time visit...

Your artwork is lovely... and it's a pleasure to be here.

Here's wishing you glimpses of heaven in unexpected places....

on earth as it is in heaven!

Misti said...

Oh, no I didn't think you were fishing for comments, I was just saying that I knew how you felt.

I got an unsubscribe thing the other day, something that I didn't even know got sent because my number on my reader always fluctuates so I didn't think it really told you when someone unsubscribed. It stung for me too! Then I wondered if maybe it was a weird junk mail and then I got over it because I've unsubscribed from blogs for various reasons and I'm guessing they had their own. Perhaps I'm not writing about hiking enough or who knows!

Anyway, *hugs*

Kriscinda said...

I always enjoy your post Kasie! I admire how you are able to express yourself through writing. I wish I was better at that.

Unknown said...

Does it help at all to be reminded that all of us face this challenge as we determined what part of our life will become watercolor circles and splashes on the canvas of our blogs? I know I feel better when I read that I am not alone in this. ♥

Your words are indeed art, Kasie. I am so glad for your authenticity; I am inspired.