Newness and the Inner Critic

This past year, I had quite a few changes happen. New job, new place, new state, a lot of adjustments...So I figured, maybe it was time for me to start something new of my own (I do still face paint). In October I began a blog and also fill my webstore with my own original artwork. It was something that was difficult for me because I had to fight all my "inner critics" - (I have more than one). The thought of putting my artwork, ideas and feelings, out there for people to see, leave room for them to critique it, was scary for me. It was scary because in the past I always drew realistically and did artwork I knew would get me an A in class. The art in my webstore are pieces that I just plain old enjoyed painting; no grandiose expectations, no goal of getting approval or a good grade (Although  I still catch myself doing that from time to time) just enjoying the moments I have when I paint, new techniques I wanted to try, illustrate and not do hyper realism, draw silly things, paint in new ways.
Well after fighting with my "inner critic" last week and almost losing (Thank God for my husband who helped me shut that "inner critic" down) Today, I made my first sale on my webstore. It is for a CD cover for music artist Erik Visalga - After the crache. The CD doesn't come out until the spring, but my artwork will be on the cover and is now on his website!!
Moral of the story - sometimes when you try to step out and do something new or out of the box, the "inner critic" will try to talk you out of what you plan on doing.
Sometimes that "inner critic" can be memories of what someone may have said to you, or a bad experience. That "inner critic" tells you that it will take too much work, it's too risky, people won't like it, what if you fail, your too old, your time has passed,  this list can go on and on. Talking to someone and saying those ridiculous "inner critic" comments out loud was what made me realize that my "inner critic" was lying to me and I was believing it. I know my "inner critic" isn't completely gone, but at least I can identify when it' trying to bring me down.

Sorry it's sideways - the computer wouldn't let me put it any other way :(