Well, first of all, I’m not sure if I’ve told you enough about Steven Pressfield. This man is a true visionary. He has inspired me in so many ways, opened my eyes, shut down my bullsh*t, given me armor against resistance and helped me to understand where I was heading and how I would know when I was on the right track. We’ve never met, but he is a truly gifted mind and writer. He is a valued mentor of mine, though he doesn’t realize.

I had something to tell you about today, a bit of a response to a question I get fairly frequently, and when I googled for a quote that I knew would help to explain my response, I was led (once again) to Steven’s website. He says it well, here, so a worthy detour is to read his post which is better written than any of my own.

But come back to this blog if you’d like to know how it relates to the KmBerggren paintings.

Here is what I was looking for when I googled:

“We have a right to our labor, but not to the fruits of our labor.” ~ Krishna

What did Krishna mean? He meant that the process of creating, not the payment or praise upon completion, is the true reward.

For my life, this is what it means (and Pressfield talks about this too, in this book The War Of Art  ~ which is a must read) (seriously, it’s a must read, go get it).

When I put paintbrush to canvas, and dance it around, leaving behind rivers, smears or shadows of color, I am in process. When the paint caresses the texture of the canvas, and I feel the stretch of the fabric away from the wood, almost like skin and bone, this is my labor. When I am painting, and listening to music, lost in an eye, a breast, a flowing stream of hair, a field of skin… this is theprocess, and this is the prize.

When the painting is complete, its job is to head out into the world and touch another soul ~ to speak to a mother, to encourage a family, to inspire a woman or man or child. The hours spent crafting the figures, faces and emotion on that canvas were my duty and my fulfillment.

When I first heard Krishna’s quote, it sank so deep and felt so real to me. Because I truly believe it.

How can I let go of these paintings that I’ve spent hours creating? Because I need room to work on the next one. And because they are destined to create love, they are destined to create change ~ to touch, to remind, to elaborate and to soothe.

That is how I let them go.

And it is with that intention that I send your original painting (whether created just for you or seemingly just for you) off to you. With the intention that your piece will bless your life and bring you joy.

best of love to you,

Love & Sincerely, Katie

www.KmBerggren.com