I don’t know about you guys, but I sometimes hold myself to a high artistic standard.

Ok, not just sometimes. Most of the time.

Aside from writing, I’m also a visual artist. I love to draw and paint, and sometimes I’m lucky enough to get to do that for other people.

But when it’s for someone else, the pressure is really on. And then suddenly I find that I can’t draw to save my life.

Drawing hands? Forgetaboutit.

Good lighting? Don’t know her.

Shading? Don’t get me started.

But instead of falling into negative “I just can’t”s, let’s approach it logically.

Let’s talk about the bear.

The elephant in the room…

Actually, it’s not an elephant. Like I said–it’s a bear.

(I promise to get through this whole blog without quoting the Goes Wrong Show.)

Last week, I was commissioned to draw a gift for someone. Seven animals; turtle, bunny, mouse, rhino, lioness, owl, bear; sort of Beatrix-Potter-ish.

I only had a few days, but regardless of what I might tell myself sometimes I do like a challenge.

So, I got out my iPad and dove in.

I did a rough sketch. No problem. Flyin’ through it. Feelin’ inspired.

Cleaned up the sketch. No problem, really, except that bears are kinda hard to draw. But I’m sure that won’t become an issue.

Then it was time for the final lines. It went something like this:

Let’s start with the bear, since he’s in the middle. Logical, right?

No problem…

No prob…

WAIT. HOW DOES ONE DRAW A BEAR.

I’VE BEEN FAKING IT THIS WHOLE SKETCHING PERIOD.

OH MY GOSH I’m never going to finish this drawing because I can’t draw a frEAKING BEAR.

Total freak out, on my end.

I only had, like, a couple of days left to completely detail the animals, not to mention paint everything. And I was attempting a style I hadn’t really done before.

And because I was so focused on the bear, I hadn’t drawn out any of the other animals. Not one.

Then it hit me, like a razor scooter to the shins: DON’T START WITH THE BEAR, LUCY.

Start with something small, like the bunny or the mouse.

Work up to the bear.

So I slapped myself (figuratively) and started drawing the bunny. Surprise surprise, things went a lot more smoothly from then on.

What bear are you poking?

I’ve been trying to look outside of my art-realm and into the rest of my life with this “leave the bear for last” idea.

What other bears are there?

There’s probably all sorts of things.

Exercise, for example. I want to do more of it, but I always try to start by walking miles on end without building up to it.

Bible reading, too. I want to spend more time in the word, but then I try to give myself a four-year plan without just thinking about today first.

And eating habits, too! I want to eat more nutritious meals, but then I burn myself out with trying to put everything I’m lacking back into my diet all at once, instead of just adding one thing at a time.

Boom. That’s not just one bear–that’s a lion, a tiger, and a bear.

Oh my!

As the old saying goes, “take it one day at a time.”

And yes, I know. That’s a boring saying. Heard it one too many times, I’m sure.

That’s why I’m giving you a new one. Two, technically. Take your pick.

Don’t start with the bear. Leave the bear for last.