Pat Fiorello - Art Elevates Life

Art & Inspiration from professional artist and instructor Pat Fiorello. Pat is known for her romantic landscape, garden and floral paintings in oil and watercolor. Her paintings often depict beautiful places like Italy and France. Pat teaches painting workshops in the U.S., Caribbean and Europe. She is passionate about inspiring others to include art in their life. Whether creating it or simply appreciating and enjoying it, there are so many ways that art elevates life!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

It's all in your head

                                                          Blossoming
                                                    Oil Painting by Pat Fiorello
                                                           6 x 8
                                                           Sold



 "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right"
                                                                         - Henry Ford

 I love this quote by  Henry Ford. It reminds us that our mind is extremely powerful . If we believe something we want  to achieve is possible, we will be open and take actions consistent with that belief. If we don't think it's possible, then it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. We don't take the actions, or take them halfheartedly ( like driving with our foot on the brake) and then get to be right when the results don't show up ( see, I knew it would never work).

 I get a very tangible reminder of this phenomenon at the gym. When my trainer says do 20 of these leg presses and I see him bringing over what looks like to be some really big weights, I immediately go into assessment mode.  If I say in my head  that "I will never be able to do that", I struggle, But when I notice my doubt and change it in the moment telling myself  "I can do this", then I can. It's amazing to see the power of shifting my mindset in that kind of immediate way.

 But this also applies to our creative endeavors, careers and other aspirations. If we think "I'll never get into that show,"" That gallery will never accept me"," I can't tackle that difficult a painting subject"," I can't paint that large" etc.. wherever we set up some boundary for our self  with a negative thought or belief, then we are limiting what's possible.

 Do you find yourself  ever doing that? Are there some usual places where you stop yourself? Take a look and see if it's something that you made up and perhaps could suspend that limiting belief for a moment, day or longer and take on the opposite position.  Say "I can do this... " Then see what's the next action that would make sense to get the ball rolling and take that step. You may see that you are on your way to opening up a new possibility or producing a different outcome.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks, Pat. Great reminders. The positive voice is the one I work to achieve. Love your blog!

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  2. Thanks Judy- It's so easy to start believing the negative thoughts when we just keep them to ourselves, in our head- that's why we need our fellow artists and friends for a reality check of just to say "Snap out of it".
    Thanks for following the blog!
    I'm painting in Charleston tomorrow so will post some news from my latest art adventure this week.

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  3. Pat, I am really enjoying your blog- you really have some wonderful paintings and your thoughts are so good on what we all struggle with:) I hope to see you at the Wesleyan show! Take care!

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  4. Thanks, If you come to Wesleyan, definitely ask for my booth and stop by to visit. It's a really nice indoor show, lots of great art and for a good cause to support the arts program at the school.

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