As I reflect back, I now see that this art shop has been a dream in my heart for a very long time. I would daydream about the thought of it briefly, but never really mustered up the courage to flush it out until 2019. Even then, I wasn’t ready. My art is equivalent to reading the most intimate pages of my journal. It’s a special space for me. I didn’t want to share until I knew I was in a more solidified stance with my attitude toward being an artist. I knew that one side of me would be inclined to make art that, “The People” would love, but wasn’t true to me. I couldn’t move forward with my shop until I knew without a doubt that I wouldn’t be moved by people, but that I would create out of love. The process toward being free from people happened outside the art realm; it happened in my personal life. I had to gain some ground there, before moving into this deeper space of freedom.

Now I am here, days away from publicly birthing my art shop. I am still unsure of the future, still questioning if it’s the right move, yet still confident that someone will be blessed from the pieces I’ve created. They say the first steps are always the hardest, right? Stepping out in faith doesn’t always feel good. I know first hand that hiding the gifts and talents that God has placed inside of you is worse. So here’s to walking on water, sharing my gifts, and allowing God to move within this new creative space of mine!

PS: My art shop officially goes live on December 1st, but click here for a peak inside: Briana’s Art Shop

Creatively yours,

Briana Ariel

Enjoy some of the images from the preparation process: