DARE TO DECIDE

Over the weekend, I had a chance to show a piece of my art at a beautiful event, Blues & Blue. The evening featured blues music, blue art and blue attire overlooking the most beautiful blue pool. It was a stunning setting! As I stared out at the palm trees, taking in the view from gorgeous terrace where my art was displayed, I was simultaneously taken aback and incredibly grateful to be there.

The gorgeous pool and view from The Glass House

Thanksgiving Blues

Two days later, I opened my Instagram app to find out that another piece of my art, a parking space mural I painted in September 2025 was featured in the Orlando Sentinel over the weekend. The owner of the business where the mural is located chose my mural - out of 49 options - to be photographed with for an award nomination article.

In the midst of painting "Love is Our Language"

Wait, what?!

How did I get here? Me, Felicia Brown, who a few short years ago - teeth gritted, fighting tears and panic attacks to get through any visually creative project - is showing her art in public AND it is being featured in the Orlando newspaper. OMG.

As I've pondered this over the last few days, I have come to the realization that I am in a familiar place. When I became a massage therapist in 1994, I DECIDED to making a living by doing massage alone. By letting go of a job that I hated and putting my focus into massage, doors opened and a clear path unfolded in front of me.

I had no fear of what others thought of me or worried that if I became "too successful too fast" peoople would judge me harshly. Instead I believed that my success would help others, that I would help others succeed as I did. I knew almost from the outset that I was doing what I was supposed to do and let that knowledge fuel every step.

This is so similar to what is going on with my art. Last year I DECIDED to take my art seriously, to follow the energy and opportunities that appeared in front of me. I took a class about being a professional artist which oddly, taught almost the exact same skills and strategies I wrote about in my first book, Free & Easy Ways to Promote Your Massage, Spa & Wellness Business.

Even so, that class pushed me to stop holding myself back from being too big or visible or successful with my art. It caused me to look for the exhibition for which the design above - LOVE IS OUR LANGUAGE - was born.

Now, the girl who was afraid to make a mistake on a piece of art is allowing hersef to dream big and dare bigger. I'm on the lookout for opportunities that feel good and help me stretch. I'm putting myself and my art out there - ready to toot my own horn and ring my bell. And I'm excited for the opportunities I know will come to help lift up and support other artists through and because of my own growth and success.

How about you? What will you DARE TO DECIDE? Let me know if you need some help figuring it out.

Sending you SO MUCH LOVE! Felicia