The lesson in this chapter is how to get in touch with the artist inside you. No longer will you be able to say that you simply aren’t artistic. I like their tactic of telling people that if you can sign your name, you can be artistic. It really is that simple and I wish more people would learn to let go and let the art flow. For everyone who hasn’t found the faith to just let go, the book spends a little time teaching you about the ‘rule of thirds.’ It’s a nice little safety net that we can fall back on when we aren’t quite sure where to place elements in our work. I still say you should forget the ‘rule’ and let go… your eye will usually guide you to the ‘rule of thirds’ on its own so why spend time fussing about it?

I know that I will never be a Monet or Picasso and I am OK with that. Their talent isn’t mine and never will be. That’s OK because I have my own talent. It isn’t like their’s and it isn’t like your’s. It’s all mine and I can do whatever I want with it. That’s my favorite part about art, there really are no rules saying that we all have to be the same or follow the same steps. Relax and let yourself have fun. Sometimes the “art” is in the act as much as in the result. Hmmmmm… maybe this is why sometimes I’m having so much fun that I don’t know when to stop and end up with a ‘mess’. LOL Even a mess can be considered a good result… “messes” are great when cut up into small bits to be added to other projects.

Just for the sake of the book I’ll spend this week giving a bit more thought to the ‘rule of thirds’ and seeing how often I fall back on that. I think I’ll also dig through my pile and see if I can’t find a few of my messes to cut up and give new life to.