My grandmother was an amazing artist.  I clearly remember watching her draw and paint and I remember that feeling of awe at her talent.  I wanted to be an artist just like her.

When we got to Grandma’s house she didn’t show off her paintings, but instead she let us use her art supplies to paint something for her!  I loved how I felt when she would praise my art and hang it up with hers.  I loved her, and I loved to draw.

A couple of sad experiences when I was 12 years old changed everything, I lost all my confidence and my will to even try.  I realized my artwork was never going to be very good because I was foolish enough to compare–and I quit.  I quit drawing for about 26 years, because I wasn’t as good as I wanted.

About a year ago I decided I was just going to practice and try to be better at art.  It started with simple and cheap mediums.  Cheap paper, oil pastels, colored pencils, and pens.  I drew on and then threw away one piece after another.  I watched video tutorials and tried some more.  I carried a sketch book with me just about everywhere.  Finally things started to improve little by little.  I was spending at least 15 minutes a day drawing, sketching, painting, and doodling.  Each day I just tried.

Although my art is still not great, it is finally getting to where I don’t mind showing it.

If you have a dream don’t quit, just keep trying and you will get better.  Keep going and you will find that eventually you can look back down that trail of countless steps and see just how far you have come.  It may not be your destination yet, but it will definitely be closer to your goal.