The Portrait That Started It All

This is the 'new' beginning. 2012 marks the start of a journey to explore that world of Art + Design + Architecture. 

It had been years since I have painted last. My very first attempt to paint was this dry brush painting of our boys sleeping. Since it has been a while, painting sometimes feel rusty and unnatural. However, I have set a bar in my mind that I would like to achieve. As long as I keep working on it, I know that I will be able to achieve my goal to feel comfortable painting again. 

There's a poem that I have found to be quite inspirational and can be a source of motivation when pursuing your goals. It is called 'Equipment':





EQUIPMENT

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,

You've all that the greatest of men have had,

Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes

And a brain to use if you would be wise.

With this equipment they all began,

So start for the top and say, "I can."

Look them over, the wise and great

They take their food from a common plate,

And similar knives and forks they use,

With similar laces they tie their shoes.

The world considers them brave and smart,

But you've all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,

You can be great if you only will.

You're well equipped for what fight you choose,

You have legs and arms and a brain to use,

And the man who has risen great deeds to do

Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,

You are the one who must choose your place,

You must say where you want to go,

How much you will study the truth to know.

God has equipped you for life, but He

Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,

The man must furnish the will to win.

So figure it out for yourself, my lad.

You were born with all that the great have had,

With your equipment they all began,

Get hold of yourself and say: "I can."

--Edgar A. Guest

Thanks for reading!