Put Your Mask On First
If you’ve ever been on a plane, you’ve probably heard the familiar announcement: “In case of turbulence, oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above your head. Please secure your own mask before assisting others.”
It’s a simple instruction, but such a powerful reminder—in flight and in life. To me, there are two lessons tucked inside that message:
First, take care of yourself.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Making sure you can breathe—literally or figuratively—is what allows you to show up for the people who need you.
Second, once you’ve got your own mask on, look around.
Offer a hand, a kind word, or steady support to help others find their footing too. Paying attention to the needs of those in our communities helps us all get through the rough bits better.
Recently, I’ve been really lucky to experience that kind of care and community firsthand. I was invited to join a group of 31 artists to help bring a yearlong portrait and figurative course to life and working with these incredible people has been filling my cup for months. Today we finally get to open up registration and begin inviting others in to join us.
The course is online - but unlike the distracting scroll-of-doom, this corner of the internet is full of inspiration and genuine support. Participants range from brand-new beginners to artists with decades of experience—and everyone cheers each other on. It’s a space that feels kind, creative, and real.
Here’s a peek at what’s included:
🌿 50+ lessons (I personally teach 2!)
🎨 Weekly videos (available all year long so you can pop in whenever you have time)
📘 The Artist Companion eGuide
If this sounds like something you’d love to be part of, I’m happy to answer any questions—or you can click the button below to register. The main course begins in January.
Registration opens NOW and the first 1000 to register will get the whole course for only $129 (regular price $249). Gift certificates are available on the site if you’ve got a friend who could use a little creative oxygen or if you’re trying to get a headstart on holiday gifting.
Whether you join me in the course or not, I hope you keep finding ways to care for yourself and lift up those around you as you continue to create beauty in the world.