"Art will remain the most astonishing activity of mankind born out of struggle between wisdom and madness, between dream and reality in our mind."
Magdalena Abakanowicz
![My son, Alden, recently got a new violin. So I’ve been thinking a lot about practice and the power of tiny steps forward every day.
As an artist, I want to see visual progress immediately. I want to love everything I make. But the truth is, I make many things I’m not crazy about.
I have to saw in half plenty of bad welds or failed attempts at sculpture. I have to wipe my canvas a lot.
Do I give myself the freedom to practice? And do I see it as meaningful when it feels like failure?
I often feel a heavy burden carrying this gift of being an artist, and a mother, a wife, and a daughter. Like I owe perfection to all of these wonderful people, and to God for my gifts.
But what about practice?
Here’s a little thought from @bradrwilcox that is helping me heal from these crippling viewpoints:
“Grace Transforms Us
Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child. Mom pays the [violin] teacher. Because Mom pays the debt in full, she can turn to her child and ask for something. What is it? Practice! Does the child’s practice pay the [violin] teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay Mom for paying the [violin] teacher? No.
Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for Mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity Mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level. Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used—seeing her child improve. And so she continues to call for practice, practice, practice.”
You’ll notice that none of these clips of Alden show him at his best. They are moments that were essential for him to be able to play at his best.
#violinpractice #practiceisprogress #perfectionismrecovery](https://scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.36329-15/365483241_204241165953733_2052746239622087309_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=8Ze3hf-5jqwQ7kNvwE1cT3w&_nc_oc=Admau3inls3usM9i_FxZ37QB-a0VIrNlaF5VcP3nFOyWjoXOY9Xo3PdAoghlRCziGUg&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=1fT6AA2bEoccfZGvG68crA&oh=00_AfgpuzYz_dveTQTeOu0lxa1Cz6807_uK70tBGcZfuD_q5w&oe=692A1A2A)
Hello
I'm Chelsy Walker
Chelsy has a thing for making things. She’s been creating art objects since she could hold a mud pie, and for the last 20 years her career has focused on advancing the arts through sculpture, education, and civil service. Her large outdoor sculptures can be found in Park City, UT; Overland Park, KS; and Desoto, KS. Walker has received several grants from the Office of Research and Creative Activities, as well as obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture from Brigham Young University. Currently she creates sculpture using aluminum, bronze, steel, and mixed media that involves nature and centers on the family—past, present, and future. Chelsy can’t seem to get away from oil painting, either, and has a work on permanent display in Olathe City Hall. She enjoys living with her husband, kids, and huge dogs in the KC Metro area. Chelsy finds great joy volunteering in her community and church and believes her best works of art are her son and daughter. She has served as Chair of the Olathe Public Art Committee since 2019 and has been a member since 2017. Chelsy loves how art is a way of connecting, unifying, and celebrating the human family.
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