My fellow watercolorist Leanna Weber graciously agreed to provide the content for my blog this month. Leanna is an artist from Oregon who excels at florals, landscapes and portraits to name a few! Enjoy!!
Hello there!
I’m Leanna of Leanna Weber Art, formally Leanna’s Reflections Photography.
When Jeanne asked me to do a guest blog for her, at first I was honored and then I was terrified. Haha! I am not a writer and I am sure you will see that today as you read this.
As I was considering what to write about I kept gravitating to the subject of change.
Going from being a busy, creative high school senior photographer to a self-taught artist was a bit of a challenge.
I loved being a photographer. I loved my clients and my peers. I especially loved making teens with no confidence feel (and look) like supermodels. I loved creating and everything about photography.
What I didn’t love were the expectations and unsustainable pressure I had put on myself.
And then there was perfectionism.
There came a point when I realized I was hurting myself by working too hard doing what I loved. I didn’t love it anymore and I had lost all my creative spirit. Letting go of my dream caused a lot of grief.
After some time off to heal and reflect I knew that creating was part of me. It always has been. It always would be.
One day I picked up some watercolors to play with (I hadn’t painted since high school). It felt amazing and everything I was trying to figure out came to me.
I wanted to paint creative portraits of people which I loved so much as a photographer, but first I need to learn the medium. So, I practiced every day.
I am still finding my way and although portraits are not my specialty yet -I find them quite difficult.
I am on this watercolor journey that I absolutely love and I am truly grateful for my crazy busy life as a photographer where I learned so many skills that I incorporate in my new art.
I love being an artist and being part of the art community where we share and encourage each other.
I love learning and exploring new mediums and I love getting to know new friends and clients.
It feels great to find me again.
The moral of this story is…
It’s never too late to find a new dream. Like the saying goes, “if one door closes…”
If something isn’t working for you, YOU have the power to choose a new path. That next journey may be what brings you the most happiness and fulfillment of your life, besides grandchildren of course!
You can find me at www.LeannaWeberArt.com
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