There was a time not so long ago that I might have told you that I would never get along with abstract art as viewer or really want to work in that direction as an artist for the same reason, but then a class in collage started to sway that steadfast ole view. No buts about it, I was prepared to, and often did, curse my way through it.

"Break me from my comfort zone??" (I panicked and countered internally)

I had no idea where to start…"Where are the rules? What are the rules? How can I do this without a plan?! I always have a plan! I neeeed my plan!!" (Much internal whining ensued)

I learned an invaluable lesson as I tried to work through the many 'panic buttons pushes' that this class pushed in me and turned to things that are integral to art whatever the style---the power and importance of design, composition, balance. In that, I found something that I needed to bridge the gap between myself and the world of abstract art…'order in chaos'…that there was so much more to this than I'd recognized, not only in terms of the 'hows' of abstract art but also the 'whys'---the mode of expression and the expression itself was a new vehicle, a lesson in spontaneity that I'm still learning...with a little less stubborness and a lot more enjoyment, too. With love and gratitude to, Ms. Worthington for a lesson learned!