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Taking in spring for me as an artist is like art lessons at The Louvre. I can't help but fill my phone with closeups of golden daffodils and budding fruit trees to see how they are put together.
In this year's explorations I intentionally took notes on the buds of a cherry tree in our front yard. Unlike flower buds, fruit buds are actually pretty scaly and contorted. You wouldn't know by looking at them that something amazing was about to sprout from all those bumps. As Easter approaches and fresh starts are top of mind, that observation really resonates with me as.
Last spring, Gary and I made a decision to switch our in-home design service to an e-commerce art shop and blog. We were both feeling overwhelmed with commitments, and I wanted to prioritize more time for painting after dedicating almost a decade solely to designing.
The year that has passed making the transition into this new space has been a little messy. There have been many steps forward that were met with a few steps back as I learned about website construction, SEO maximization and online editing programs. I really underestimated the steep learning curve I was in, adapting to the digital world as an artist, designer, and writer.
In a time when instant success seems just a click away for influencers and YouTube sensations, it's easy to feel discouraged by slow, messy beginnings. But reflecting on this year's buds, during this early Easter season, I've come to understand that such beginnings are not a sign that you are floundering, but an elemental part of fresh starts.
Here is some lessons about spring's messy beginning....
Messy starts matter. All fruit bearing begins in dark mysterious spaces that seem so insignificant the rest of the world is oblivious. As time progresses, pollen makes springs arrival evident, covering surfaces with grit, and frustrating everyone except car wash businesses. As messy as that shower of yellow powder is, pollination is integral to fruit production. Messy does not always equate with meaningless.
Ugly beginnings appear to be God's Mode of Operation. That cherry tree in my front yard is mesmerizing each spring, but all that beauty starts as clusters of gnarly lumps. If you have ever seen a prenatal ultrasound, then you know that we all start that way. Ugly beginnings are not accurate predictors of outcomes.
Growing after a new start is a slow process by design. Slow growth is the reality of creating anything valuable. A biproduct of all that waiting is patience. When it comes to new beginnings, patience is the currency that pays for progress.
Fruit bearing requires some destruction. Buds become blossoms that only last a short bit and must give way to fruit formation. Trees must be pruned to increase output. This cycle of death giving rise to new life is a fundamental aspect of creation. Each sacrifice along the way is honored by the emergence of an increased harvest. This Easter, I am appreciating all it takes to make way for new beginnings. I am grateful for the new beginning Christ gave on the cross and the one Gary and I have embarked upon with Home Illustrated. The journey may be challenging as we navigate the complexities of growth but every step, no matter how messy, brings us closer to realizing our potential. May you all enjoy this beautiful spring week and joyfully embrace the hope of Easter! Happy spring y'all!