Masterclass graduate Belinda is with me tonight!

Guys, we are live, and I am here with yet another one of my masterclass alumni. Um, this is Belinda. She did the florals masterclass with me last year in 2024, and, um, she is back again for the 2025 session, and she do an interview with me, um, share a little bit more about her journey. And, um, she has been painting with me for a couple years inside of Tribe. Um, but then I thought, Belinda, I will let you kind of share a little bit more of your story, how you came to painting and how you ended up joining the master class.

Okay, well, I want to thank you very much for doing this, first of all. Um, it's awesome. So, um, I didn't paint much when I was a child. I did some drawing a little bit. I really enjoyed that. I did a few paint-by-number things but this is funny because those little spots were so tedious and you had to stay in the lines. And I thought, you know, I laugh at that now because I always stay in the lines or try to. But, um, anyway, so I didn't really do that. I did other things. I did, um, sewing, crochet. I learned how to knit recently, well, within the last 10 years. Um, but I don't do any of that macrame, you know. So I did a lot of those things. And, um, about 2015, my young— our youngest son got married, and so my husband and I found us as empty nesters. And it's like, even though I'm still working, I had— I was looking for something to do. And, um, everything— everybody says do things you like, do that thing that you always dreamed about doing. And I thought, well, I don't know what that is really, because I married young and you just do what you're supposed to do. You throw yourself into your family and all of that, and it's like that consumes everything. And that was fine. I mean, I was I love, you know, my children and all of that. And so, um, but there was not any necessarily free time, especially as, you know, as babies and stuff. So, um, couldn't do sewing and, you know, all that. By the time you pulled your stuff out, it was time to put it up.

So, as you're a mom, that's right.

And, you know, they were always wanting to bother your thing. They want to see what you're doing. So, so that didn't work out. So finally I just quit doing that. And so About 2015, like I said, my son got married, and so I didn't— I kind of revisited some of those things, but they just didn't grab me. And, you know, I've, I've heard people talk about do that thing that you lose yourself in, and I thought, well, what is that for me? I really don't know. So I tried some different things and nothing really hit. And so, um, I was invited to a baby shower that was actually a paint party, and I thought, I'm gonna try that. I've never done that before, so I'm going to try that. So I went, and, um, we get there, and my friend and I, and, um, there's a blank canvas, 16 by 20 blank canvas on an easel, 2 or 3 paintbrushes, a cup of water, and kind of the things, you know, the setup things. And so a few minutes later, everybody just starts painting, and I thought, oh, what are we supposed to do? You know? And I looked at her and she said, well, I don't know. So a few minutes later—

instruct you?

No, it was like a free, you know, a free thing, like you just come and paint.

Yeah.

So a little while later, I guess the instructor saw that we were just sitting there, and she said, well, what do y'all want to paint? And I thought, I have no idea. I said, I don't know what I'm doing. I've never done this before. So, um, she said, well, what about a cross or a butterfly? And I thought, well, I would love to paint a butterfly, but that was a little intimidating. So I said, maybe the cross would be good. So she gave us a template. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a template. And so she said, trace this on and go choose your colors. I had no idea what colors. I just chose what I liked. I think it was a royal blue, a, like, a deep purple, and red. And she said, get, uh, and make sure you get some white. And I said, okay. So, so she told us to start on the background. And so then I had to choose which one's going to be the background and which one's going to be the cross. And what, you know, there was a big heart in the middle, so I thought, okay, well, I'll put the red in the middle. So, um, so we did that and it looked really good. And at the end, or I thought it did, and I thought, wow, this is— but And I was looking around and the people were embellishing theirs with the curly things and the, you know, the highlights and things. And I thought, well, I don't know how to do that. So the girl that the party was for, she came over and showed me hers, and I said, oh, that's so pretty, can you add that to mine? Oh, she did it and finished it. But I thought, you know, this is so fun, I really like this. Um, so I asked the instructor after the class if she taught lessons. And she said, I would be happy to meet with you if you would like. And so the next couple of weeks I went back and it was just me, and we, we painted another picture. And I thought, I can't keep doing this. That was like 2, 2 hours of her time just for me. And I kind of felt a little guilty about that, but, um, you know, because she was trying to do parties. And so I started looking online and Your Social Lisa came up, and this was the very first painting I did that was free. It was a free painting.

Say, that's one of my blogs or something.

Yes, this was— this is not even in the shop, so it was just that.

Yeah.

And so I thought, wow, that's great on that.

Yeah.

Thank you. I thought, this is really fun. I said, where do I learn how to do this? Where can I learn how to, you know, paint more? Because I knew it was, you know, just following instructions, and I'm really good at following instructions.

Yes, you are.

So, um, then your, um, painting of the month came up, and I think you were just starting it. I think I came in on the second month. Okay, so anyway, this beautiful beach came up and I thought, I don't know if I can do it or not, but I'm gonna try. And I thought, it's reasonable. You had— you said we could quit anytime we wanted to if we didn't like it. So I thought, well, I'm gonna do it. So I did this and that was fun. And I thought, so what do I do? And that was June of 2020. So actually in June it'll be 5 years with you.

Wow. So, um, I know I thought it was 4, but anyway, it was 5.

So anyway, then I found this other one.

You—

I joined Tribe. So in June of '20, I joined Tribe. So this was— and this is funny because this was a July painting, like, and there was supposed to be a little flag in here somewhere, and you had put USA on here. And I thought, I'm not doing that. There's no way I can paint that little bitty flag with all those stripes. And then I'm certainly not writing in there. So I, and I painted several more. So, um, last year when you, um, when you offered the master class, I thought it was so exciting to know that there was the next step, that you were going to teach us more than just following the tutorial. It was basics and all of these things that I had been desperately wanting to and didn't know where to find them. And so it was like, I had that drive. I wanted that more that you were doing. I knew it was going to take an investment of time and energy and commitment and resources, but I thought, whatever it is, I'm going to have to figure it out some way to do this because this is what I've been looking for. And that masterclass was more than I ever thought. The idea of making an original was overwhelming but exciting, but anticipation— I mean, can I do it? Can I really do that? You know, so I was so excited. So here is my original that I painted. I was so surprised with the way it came out. And I struggled over it. You know, this is what, what was so funny to me, that when I did that, you know, you have us go through all the steps and we learn about color and we learn, we do the thumbnails and we do the different things leading up to it, and we do the, um the different mediums, you know, to do all of that. And even after all of that, when I sat down to do the actual original, there was still so many decisions that I felt like I needed to make. And I was surprised by that. I thought that it would just come because I had done it some, you know, several times. But then it took me a long time. It took me longer than I expected, but I was so confident after that. It was like, after that, it's like, wow, I can do this, right?

Yeah. Once you can get through those hard steps, like through, you know, the hurdles, and you may— like you said, you make those choices. And I think for you— and I mean, her and I have talked about this separately, you know, she, she is a rule follower, and she likes knowing what the step is. And so I think when it came— that decision came to you, I think that tripped you up a little bit, that you— there wasn't a right or wrong answer. It was what Belinda chose, right? And I think that, that in itself was a hurdle for you to get over. But then you did it, just like you said, but then, and you made the choices. You ended up making a beautiful piece of art.

Thank you so much. Well, that was one— that was the hardest thing, was making the choices. Does this flower go behind this one? Does this one go in front? Is this enough color right here? These are not exactly the right colors that I, you know. So yes, it was very, um, tedious. And then two, is this the right choice? Is this the right color? Is this, you know, do I need to put the dark things here, or the lot, you know. So yes, there was lots of decisions, but I felt like you answered them. And the Zoom calls— can I talk about the Zoom calls?

Absolutely, because listen, so that's another thing about the master class. Like, this is the only thing that I offer, um, you know, in all of my services where people get that much one-on-one time with me as an art instructor. So I mean, I think the Zoom calls are a huge part of the masterclass. And I mean, coming from you guys at the end when we asked questions, what did you think of everything?

That was like almost the number one across the board.

Everyone was like, the Zoom calls like were so transformational because not only were we like discussing previous modules and answering questions, but I would also do critiques. So like the ladies could bring their paintings or maybe where they're stuck at and we would talk through those issues or those problems, hurdles. But you didn't just learn from your artwork, right?

Like, you learned from, like, me going over other people's artwork and giving them advice on what they could do.

So, yeah, definitely share, share your take from the Zooms.

Exactly. To me, they were priceless because all the questions— and you probably thought some of the questions were, we've already covered that, or whatever— but it's like, just to have even that, that encouragement just that, yes, you're doing it right. Yes, that's what it needs— what, what it needs to do. So just being able to ask you that specific question that was on your mind, that you— like you would in a classroom.

Yeah. And that was— that is the feeling and, and my hope of what the master class was going to be. Um, you know, I call it— it's kind of like a long title, but like, inside the art studio with me. And that's my hope, is that even though we're virtually this together. I am taking you guys inside the studio, into my space, but also there for us together as a community where you have me as your teacher, but you also have your classroom full of other students that you're getting to share with, and they're giving their feedback. And I think all of that, um, there's so much learning in just that part of—

yes, after class too.

I pulled up from, um, from the last masterclass some of your work. Do you mind if I show that?

No, go ahead.

So, um, so inside the masterclass we taught, there's several different ways you can find inspiration for your paintings, um, and creating your own still life is just one of them. Um, so was this one that— did someone send this to you or did you create this?

No, I went— actually, I went to Hobby Lobby because you said after the color thing, the color module, you had said what colors speak to you. And I was so surprised when I walked in and there was this bouquet that had the, the pink and the rose and the purple and the, um, yellow. It was like yellow. Oh, and I thought but oh, and then there's the green in there, and I thought that is so pretty. And, and I walked around with it, and I got some more and added some more purple and added some more in there. And, um, I walked around and I thought, well, here's one that's similar, here's another one, here's another. And I thought— I just kept going back to that. So I thought, I'm gonna— this is the one that's speaking to me. I don't know I never would have thought yellow, but I've always like, you know, I've usually chosen like the blues and the greens, but this just looks— I mean, the colors were a little bit more vibrant than in the picture, but it's like the pinks and the, the rose, like I said, they were just so, um, they were just there. That was the one I had to choose.

So I love it. And here she is with her first original last Hey, and, and here's the other thing, you know, that I want to talk about here. So, um, Belinda purchased this and we talked about this could be— and I honestly thought those were real. Those are some really good-looking fake flowers. Uh, at first glance I was like, that just looks like a bouquet got delivered to you.

Um, so she kind of sent her photo and, and she set this up.

And then again, we talked about like her having to make those choices, right? Like, so you can tell, like, here's her inspiration and then her finished piece. Like, she changed some, some things. She chose a background color, she chose a different vase. So like, there's, there's things that you— I think it's important for people to understand, you don't always have to paint exactly what you see. Like, you know what I mean?

Like, you can be inspired by something but then still make your own creative choices in it.

So I love I love the choices that you made with this. And it's just so exciting to see her, you know, um, go through the entire process, um, and share that with us. Um, but I think she was nervous about making those choices.

Yes, thank you.

Yeah, but we worked through it. And I mean, to me, that is like such a huge one.

And for you to overcome that hurdle and then move forward and be like, okay, like Christy said, it's up to me.

She's not gonna tell me it's right or wrong.

I have to make the choice. That's right.

And, um, and now you know that you can, right? Like, when you are inspired, um, to do another one— and you're doing the 2025 class with us again, right?

Yes. Yes.

Yeah. So it'll be interesting to see, you know, what you decide to work on this year and what you take away from the modules. But I feel like that are coming back the second time, I think you're going to be amazed at what you learn retaking it a second time. And we are going to have— and I think you'll be very excited about this— but there are going to be 4 new lessons added to Module 4 that you will have access to before you go to create another new original. Where, uh, I took pictures of like the vases and I made arrangements.

And then Belinda was like, well, where's your painting from that?

I was like, well, I never had time to do it. I was just using that as an example to show you guys how to do it, right? So this year I'm adding that into the course, and I will literally be showing you guys— it is, yes, you're gonna learn these bonus paintings in the master class, but it's actually showing you like you're with me from taking the image of my still life, and I have multiple shots of it, and how I'm gonna take one inspiration piece and I'm gonna make 4 different, completely different paintings with it, but showing you guys inside the class exactly how I do that, like sketching it and doing thumbnails and then taking it to canvas. And, and so I think that will like where you struggled of like, okay, now I have to make those choices. I'm hoping like these extra lessons that I'm adding in there will be so me modeling it in such a step-by-step way that then you're gonna be like, cool, hey, this is what Kristi did. Here's her photo. Now she did this, now she did this. And so anyways, that'll be, that'll be new in 2025, and I think you will really love that addition to I'm so excited for it because I'm—

I wanted, like, after that first one, I wanted to make more. And I had that, I can do this. And I had taken several pictures since then. My husband gave me flowers, I think, for, um, I guess it was Mother's Day after that, and I still got those. And I thought, I really want to try that, or then more, you know. And just it's so fun to go get the inspiration, and you've kind of gone through that some in this Among the Wildflowers. And, um, I don't know, you cover so much. And you're right, being able to watch you implement these things, it's not like, now what did she say?

Yeah, step by step.

And the other fun thing, and that I try to like, um, you know, yours is more of like a realistic style and how you could take that same inspiration from your vase of flowers and do something more abstract with it. You know what I mean? Like if you did like impasto, or if you just did looser brush strokes, or almost like it was out of focus. And so we're going to talk about some of those like style choices, um, that we make as artists and helping you feel— and not that everyone has to, but my goal for you guys is I show lots of different styles. So I'm the type of artist that some— I think I have a signature style in the fact that I paint bold and bright colors. And like, there's certain things you can tell, like, oh, that's one of Christie's. But I paint everything, right? And I paint— sometimes I paint realistic, sometimes I paint loose and abstract, sometimes combination of both. But it's fun for me, and hopefully for you guys try out those different things, and, um, it pushes you out of your comfort zone, and then you might just surprise yourself with what you end up liking, right?

Yes, yes. Just, it surprises me still when I finish something. It's like, wow, did I really do that? Did I, you know, was I really— did I really do that? It just, it does. It's the other day, you know, I never was able to finish that, um, Go to the Pumpkin Patch from the retreat.

Yeah.

And then I finally did, and I remember sitting at the, at the retreat and you said draw these black lines. I thought, I'm not doing that, that's gonna mess mine up. Maybe later, but I can't do that. I remember I even said that, I think, to Linda. I think she was sitting right beside me, and I said, no, I'm I'm too scared to do that.

All right, well, goals for this year for Miss Melinda: we're gonna, we're gonna encourage her to continue to go outside of her comfort zone and try things that scare her.

Yes, yes, because I end up doing it and it's, it's— wow. And it's like, that's why I did that critique, or wanted you to do that critique. It's like, do I need to go back and add that to this? But Yeah, so I'm not, but I am— I have thought about doing another, doing it again.

So anyway, I'm excited.

Um, do you have any, um, last words of advice or encouragement that you want to leave anyone who is maybe watching this and trying to figure out— maybe they're sitting on the fence and wondering if it's the right choice for them? Um, anything you want to share with the ladies?

The thing that to me is the most important is to just try. Just do it. I mean, just— you don't, you don't want to say just do it, but just try. Give yourself permission to try. And I feel like you gave me the permission to try. And without a background in painting or Actually creativity, basically, because I'm more of a numbers person. And actually, I want to tell you a funny story. Um, when I was in like middle school and we had to take art and we were to draw a tree, and my tree looked like, um, blocks. Like the branches were just blocks going everywhere. And my friend was sitting right beside me and I said, She said, let me see, and she literally started laughing. She said, Linda, it's so square. And I looked at hers and it was so realistic with the, you know, the variations and stuff. I mean, she wasn't being mean, but at the same time it was like, I have no idea what I'm doing. But I'm more of a geometric person that just wants everything in line and everything in, in a row. So that is something that was so eye-opening to me. But so I want you to— I want to tell people, just try, just begin, and then do it again. And like you say, trust yourself in the process and do, do the do. I laugh when you say that because that's really true. When I get stuck and listen to the negative things or listen to my you know, doubts and all of that, you said action. And you said it even again today in the, the class. And I thought, that's it. That's the key for me. I don't know about others, but do it and push through because we surprise ourselves all the time.

I mean, I, I look at it this way.

I mean, we all as humans have so much untapped potential.

We don't know what God has in store for us in our life, how he's going to use us, what is inside of us that we just haven't even expressed yet. And to me, like, that's the exciting thing. Like, and, and I like look at my life and all the things that have happened, and like, I couldn't have predicted any of them. I didn't see what was coming next, right? You just had to keep— I mean, The journey of creating and painting is much like the journey of life.

You just have to keep going.

You have to put one foot in front of the other. You've got to figure out ways over obstacles. But when fear starts creeping in and doubt and the negative voice, you really do have to kick it to the curb. Um, and I, I always say action stops fear. And I feel like fear is like— think of it like this little bubble floating around, just kind of hovering like that dark cloud.

And then you can start creating.

Once you brush the canvas, that fear dissipates. It goes away because it was just a myth. It was like hanging over your head telling you you're not going to be good enough, you don't know if you can do this or not. But then once you start doing it, you're like, wait, those were all lies.

I am good enough. I can do this.

You just can't do it yet, and you need to remember, you know, you were talking about taking those steps forward, and I wrote it down—

permission to try. I love that, I'm gonna use it.

Um, but give yourself grace, right? To give yourself grace and allow yourself to learn and grow. And sometimes that happens through mistakes or frustration or the messy middle of a painting when you're doubting yourself. You just have to keep going. And, um, I think it's important for people to know sometimes that means, myself included, walking away from your artwork. Like, sometimes I just want everyone to hear, like, it doesn't always come out easy peasy, even for me after doing it all these years. Sometimes there are points in your painting and what you're creating that you have to work through. And sometimes mentally I I have to step away and go clear my head and come back with fresh eyes to do that. And then you're able to move forward and take that next step. So just remembering those things.

Um, and again, I think when you are surrounded by other people who are all on the same journey as you in this masterclass, they all have those same feelings you're having.

We all have that doubt, we all have that fear, but we have to learn to control it and control our mindset. But it's nice to have that sounding board of women who are encouraging you and reminding you of truth when those lies— and so, thank you.

Well, I'm so very, I'm so very grateful for you for all of that, because without your, um, tutorials in this, in the step-by-step and the encouragement, all the inspiration that you give us The devotionals are amazing. And that mindset, I think last year in that, um, that was one that I listened to over and over because it's like, this is— I've signed up for this, I'm going to do this. And it was kind of like that. Yes, I'm going to, I'm going to move forward. I've got to, I can't, I don't want to stop. So I'm going to accomplish this. So I want to I want to start that same thing this year with, with that.

Yeah, well, I am excited to have you back for another year. I'm excited to see your growth that you have this year, and we're gonna get her getting a little looser and messier. I'm gonna, I'm gonna make her try.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I just want more, and I want more confidence. I just want to be able to have that confidence. And I know based on what you said, it's by doing. You learn by doing and you gain by, you know, gain that confidence by doing.

Absolutely.

And I think, I do think by the end of this 10 weeks in this course, you will have a newfound confidence because you're already building on the foundations that you built last year. And so you've already proven to yourself what you're capable of.

I know that there's so much more inside of you, so it's going to be exciting to see.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord.

Well, thank you so much for jumping on with me today. Thank you guys for watching, and everyone have a great rest of the day.