The thing that scares me more than failing is never having tried and living with the regret that I wasn't brave enough to try.
So, with that in mind, I am about to embark on my first painting workshop in a pub.
I've mentored before and delivered workshops in schools, but I've never done something quite like this. But if you don't have a go, you'll never know. Well, that's what I keep telling myself!
So many people I meet say they aren't arty, but I have this theory that we all have it in us, it's just that some indulge their creativity, and practise it regularly, and some don't.
I like having fun with art and find it essential for channelling my thoughts and feelings, and I find it very satisfying helping others find their own art confidence so they can too.
Ever thought what might happen if you unleashed your inner artist for the evening? Just indulged yourself for a couple of hours, maybe with a glass of wine to help you relax, to see what happened, just for fun? Picking up a paintbrush and having a play around with paint without putting any pressure on yourself to come up with something presentable? You might be pleasantly surprised. And even if you weren't, so what?
My best advice to people who like to dabble, or who want to dabble but don't, is don't fret about the end result, just have a go and enjoy the process.
I'm no art teacher, but I am passionate and enthusiastic about what I do and can share an insight into how I create my pieces to help others feel comfortable enough to have a go too. I honestly think art is something available to everyone if they have an open mind, let go of any expectations and just go with it.
I can't, and wouldn't, promise that anyone will be going home from my workshop with a masterpiece, but I will endeavour to offer a positive experience and some helpful tips to take away.
I'll give step-by-step instructions for creating something along the lines of my popular angel painting Enough (above) We will paint, we will have plonk and we will see what emerges. But most of all we'll have fun!
This is my latest painting, Never Enough, which I created in under two hours to practise ahead of the workshop and to prove that it can be done in one sitting. She will be for sale after the event on October 11.
The original Enough took me a lot longer to come up with than two hours, but it can be done.
Click the link below if you fancy booking a spot. All art materials are provided and drinks can be purchased at the bar.