Now that I have been home almost two weeks after 17 days of workshop teaching and traveling, I am in my work room messing around with paint. Notice I didn't say I 've been in my studio painting? The words "studio" and "painting" scare me, I am hiding under my drafting table.

If I try to paint official paintings, I don't take risks, try new ideas, make messes and hopefully come up with new painting directions, techniques and increased skill. Compare me to a surfer who only surfs the little waves he knows he can surf successfully and never tries to surf any bigger waves because he might not ride them successfully.

Get my drift? Have you ever felt like afraid to try out new painting ideas, techniques and directions? Please tell me about how you approach your paintings.