My “Battle Board”

I’ve heard it said that we need to keep the things that are most important to us “front and center”. As in, literally and visually.

Some call it their “Battle Board”. It’s a place where they stand and stare at the wall first thing in the morning while they sip coffee.

Here’s mine.

Well. Here’s a glimpse of mine. I can’t show the whole internet the whole thing.

You’ll find quotes. You’ll find an image of Future Me. But mostly you’ll find words. My own words. Words that describe the sort of atmosphere I want my art to create in the spaces of my collectors. Words that characterize my style. Titles for future blog posts or classes or future _________________ .

You’ll find images. Some are images of jewelry pieces that inspire my own designs. I keep hoping to get back to artisan jewelry making. Some are images that I saved just because the color story speaks to me. Some are images I taped to the wall because/because. Because I don’t know why, but it spoke to me, very viscerally, like a prophecy, and so on the Battle Board it goes.

Why call it my “Battle Board”?

Because, I don’t know about you, but I have an enemy of my soul who seeks to deflate inspiration daily. Standing in front of this wall, sipping coffee, and savoring this creative life the Lord and I’ve built for myself, feels like a battle strategy.

This is not my “Mis En Scene” wall (that’s my name for how I gather inspiration for specific canvases or classes). I won’t show that to the whole internet, either. This isn’t my “mood board”. I don’t care if the whole internet sees my mood board, but it actually isn’t that aesthetic. It exists in the hallway that connects my master bedroom to the rest of the house. I see it when I come out of my closet every day.

I love that wall, too.

What about you? I bet you could use a “Battle Board” of your own?