Great Things

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."- Vincent Van Gogh

I came across this quote back in art school and it's proven to be very comforting throughout the years. Mainly because it always reminds me that the big things don't just happen; the large wins or successes are always tied to a lot of smaller (possibly even mundane) tasks and events that had to be done. So when it may sometimes feel as though you're constantly working on "small tasks" remember this quote and take comfort in knowing that all of those small things are coming together to form something great. 
 

Things I had no words for

quote by Georgia O' Keefe | watercolor by Courtney Khail

"I found I could say things with color & shapes that I couldn't say any other way... things I had no words for." - Georgia O' Keefe

So true. Sometimes painting feels like the only way I can truly speak. (Which says a lot because I talk pretty much non stop. I'm even reading this out loud as I type to make sure it "sounds" like me haha)

reteach it's loveliness

Sometimes it's necessary to reteach something it's loveliness." - galway kinnell (watercolor by Atlanta artist Courtney Khail

This quote has been in the back of my mind since I first read it 10 years ago, so I figured today was as good as any to share it with you all.

we plan, God laughs- Monday quote from Courtney Khail

"We plan, God laughs" - watercolor by Courtney Khail

I am pretty sure most people have heard this quote before. (So much so that trying to credit someone was ridiculous because it seems like at some point everyone has said this.

For those who know me- or maybe even those of you that don't know me in real life, but have followed along long enough to recognize this- I'm one who likes to be in control. I calculate, strategize, and balance pros and cons; I'm the one who researchers the hell out of trips so I can actually relax once it begins (luckily, I do have the ability to do that. my anxiety to be in control pretty much drops off about ten minutes into a road trip or as soon as I am at my flight's gate. Not before though. I'm a ball of anxiety in the security line. Pay attention, take out your liquids, and remove your shoes, people. This is not new information. No, they don't care that you just bought that water. You need to drink it or throw it away. #endrant)

To put it simply, I'm a planner. (And people have gotten very comfortable with my role as a planner. Example: when I made the announcement that I was no longer going to grad school for Medical Illustration you would have thought I had announced that the world was in fact flat, the sky was falling, and life as we knew it was over.) But the thing is, life can't exactly be planned out. Or you could plan it all out, but likelihood your plans will fall through and what was meant to be will just be. Jobs, friends, addresses- they can all change. But you just have to roll with the punches and assume that everything will be okay (and how it's supposed to be) in the end. 

(And if by chance you think I'm wrong and you want to argue that "things don't happen for a reason," well don't. Or at least don't argue with me. That belief is seriously the only thing that keeps me sane when things don't go according to "my plan." That said, this is coming from someone who just put a rudolph stamp on her water bill because she didn't plan for enough stamps when mailing out Christmas cards last year and had to buy a whole new sheet for the few she had remaining. Good thing I love Christmas. Also, enjoy the Christmas cheer Dekalb County Water Department. And congrats on being joining Instagram- even if you STILL have yet to figure out how to collect automatic payments so I could stop writing checks and mailing them to you in Christmas themed envelopes.)

new day, new strengths, new thoughts | monday quote

"with the new day comes new strengths and new thoughts." - Eleanor Roosevelt | watercolor by atlanta artist Courtney Khail

It's refreshing to me that every day I get another opportunity to start fresh- or at least as fresh as possible. I have a tendency to sometimes focus on things I could have done differently/better/etc. so this is a constant reminder to me. New day, new strengths, new thoughts. Leave yesterday in the past and focus on what can be done this day (and this day alone.) 

You cannot protect yourself from sadness | Monday quote

"You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness." - jonathan foer (watercolor by courtney khail)

This may have a completely different meaning to someone else, but to me it simply means you cannot have one without the other. It's human nature to shy away from the difficult, the sad, and the frustrating, but without the uncomfortable moments, you're never truly able to appreciate the beautiful, joy-filled moments. (That's not to say I necessarily welcome the "ugly" though. As some who tends to experience emotions very (very) deeply, I'm constantly looking for the beauty in order to balance out any ugliness I see or experience.)

Step Forward Into Growth

"In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety." -Abraham Maslow (watercolor by Atlanta artist courtney khail)

I read this quite a few weeks back and it's stuck with me. People may not always understand it- and the choice may seem uncertain/wrong/confusing what have you,  but personally, I choose to always step forward. Sometimes that does mean choosing the harder option or the option that doesn't seem correct or the most logical, but there are so many times I believer you just have to take the risk and face the events that follow head on in order to not remain stagnant. (And hopefully, those events/results end up being amazing.) 

Keep your eyes open

"always keep your eyes open. keep watching. because whatever you see can inspire you." - grace coddington watercolor by Atlanta artist courtney khail

"The meaning of life"

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." - Shakespeare, watercolor by courtney khail 

So often it seems people are searching for the meaning of life and this actually seems pretty close to me. Find what makes you special (whether that is an artistic gift, an intellectual gift, or an emotional gift) and share it with as many people as possible. (I'd add a few things to that- like be accepting, loving and don't do any harm- but I feel like if what you offer in life revolves around sharing the gift you've been given, then that should actually come naturally.)

Opportunity

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." watercolor by Courtney Khail, quote by Thomas Edison

With a long list of to-do's greeting me this morning, I found this Thomas Edison quote to be very fitting. Opportunity doesn't just show at your door and success (at least the long lasting kind) never occurs overnight. I would argue about the overalls thing- but only because overalls bring back memories of my third grade wardrobe, which I personally think is best left in the past. (I'll just re-write the quote in my head to say "pants" or for my career especially- "a smock.")