The Latin word humilitas is where we get our words humus and humility.

Humilitas means one who is grounded or near the earth. Humus being dark soil formed by plant and animal decay which over time gives way to new growth. Humility means down-to-earthness, grounded, free from pride and arrogance.

Beginning this new journey of painting (something I've always wanted to do), there have been so many growing pains. It's a terribly slow process and I find myself uncomfortable, unsure and humbled. I start small, make mistakes, start again. The struggle is trusting myself, despite feeling greatly unqualified to create something of beauty and meaning.

This first painting of the Emerging collection depicts this struggle of coming forth, an unearthing, arising out of the humus. I face this with each new challenge, self-conscious and committed to the process, while beauty is unfolding, life becoming known. 

"Humility means working that much harder to make it beautiful."  

-Andrew Peterson, Adorning the Dark

Growing Pains is an original acrylic painting on canvas. 14" x 14" x 3/4". It is part of the Emerging collection, my first original painting collection.