Why I’m trusting the messy middle (maybe you should too?)

This month, I want to share a bit of the messy middle – the part of running an art business that isn’t polished or picture-perfect. Plus, I’ll introduce you to an inspiring Native American artist and leave you with a reflection on trust, healing, and the unfolding of life.

Sara seated at a round wooden table outdoors, focused on painting a watercolor scene on a piece of paper. She is holding a paintbrush. On the table, there is a watercolor palette, several tubes of paint, a brown ceramic cup holding paintbrushes, and a white container also with art supplies. The background shows an outdoor setting with a stone patio, greenery, and a sky with clouds and a hint of sunset colors.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

  • Art In Progress: The challenges of setting a business strategy – and why I decided to work with a coach.
  • Creative Perspectives: Spotlight on an incredible Native American artist whose work I discovered at the Heard Museum.
  • Mindful Moments: A reflection on trust and the way The Universe weaves together our experiences.

Art In Progress

Sara wearing a dark sleeveless jumpsuit and a necklace with feather-like pendants, is sitting cross-legged on a wooden bench with gray cushions. Sara is holding a pen and writing in a white spiral-bound notebook.

Lately, I’ve been grappling with an aspect of my business that isn’t as fun as painting – strategy. Deciding on a clear direction for Swil Arts this year has been harder than I expected. It’s easy to lose focus, to second-guess every decision, to wonder if I’m choosing the “right” path.

At one point, I even turned to AI to help me brainstorm. I hoped it would ask thoughtful questions or draw out insights I hadn’t yet seen. Instead, it jumped too quickly to conclusions and recommendations. The responses felt rushed, overly confident, and lacking the kind of deep reasoning that builds trust. Without more nuance or exploration, it was hard to connect with or act on what it offered.

So, I made a new decision: to work with a coach. As a solopreneur, I’ve realized that support is not a luxury – it's a necessity. Having someone to ask the right questions, challenge my blind spots, and help me stay aligned with what truly matters feels like the right next step.

If you’re also navigating big decisions, know that clarity doesn’t always come from forcing answers. Sometimes, it comes from seeking the right support, stepping back, and trusting the process.

Creative Perspectives

Back in December, I visited the Heard Museum in Phoenix, a space dedicated to Native American art and culture. One installation set the tone for the experience: “This linear installation reminds visitors to leave stereotyped preconceptions behind and enter a world where Indigenous people blend the past with the present and firmly establish a limitless future.” — Rosemary Lonewolf.

One of the exhibits that stayed with me was Art & Sole – a celebration of creativity, culture, and movement through a collection of artist-adorned Converse sneakers. Native artists from across the Southwest painted, beaded, and styled shoes in ways that echoed their more traditional works, pairing each sneaker with a second piece in their signature medium. It was a reminder that visual language isn’t bound by form – it travels across surfaces, ideas, and generations.

Among the many incredible works, one that stood out to me was by Jason Garcia, also known as Okuu Pin. His painting of a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor high-top sneakers caught my attention – not just for its visual impact, but for the way it seamlessly connected history with contemporary identity. Garcia’s work often weaves together elements of Pueblo culture with modern influences, telling stories that root him in his Tewa heritage while also looking ahead – honoring his ancestral past and keeping cultural traditions alive for future generations.

This exhibit respected Indigenous sovereignty. Artists were invited to shape how their work was presented, from the label text to the exhibition title. That level of agency is rare, and it made a difference in how the stories came through.

In a world that still tries to contain Indigenous identity within the past, Art & Sole made clear: these cultures are living, shifting, and unapologetically present – step by step into the future.

Mindful Moments

Sara wearing a dark sleeveless jumpsuit and a necklace with feather-like pendants, is sitting cross-legged on a wooden bench with gray cushions. Sara is holding a pen and writing in a white spiral-bound notebook.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on a quote from Melody Beattie’s book “The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency”. I adapted it to fit my own spiritual beliefs:

“The Universe gives me only as much pain as is necessary for usefulness, healing, cleansing, learning. And as much goodness and joy as my heart can hold, as soon as my heart is healed, open, and ready to receive. The Universe is accepting and instantly forgiving. The Universe weaves together all of my joy, sadness, and experience to create a portrait of my life with depth, beauty, sensitivity, color, humor, and feeling.”

This idea of The Universe weaving together everything – the joy, the struggles, the uncertainty – feels deeply relevant to my journey right now. When I feel overwhelmed or depleted, I remind myself that every experience adds something valuable to the bigger picture.

What’s something in your life right now that you’re learning to trust?

Thank You for Being Here

If you’d like to explore my latest work or see what’s happening at Swil Arts, visit swilarts.com or connect with me on Instagram.

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