Life Lessons from Painting: Create, Adapt, and Build a Strong Foundation
This past weekend, I attended a “Paint Your Pet” event at Painting with a Twist. I’m not an artist by any stretch, but I figured painting my dog, Bear, could be fun. What I didn’t expect was how much painting could teach me about life, growth, and how to approach challenges. Here are five powerful lessons I’ll carry into 2025—and beyond.
1. Start with an Outline
Before we began painting, the instructors had pre-drawn outlines of our pets on the canvases. This gave us a framework to build on, making the process far less overwhelming. In life, we often dive into goals or new opportunities without a clear plan, hoping it will somehow all work out. But just like in painting, starting with an outline makes all the difference.
As you approach 2025, create a loose outline for your life. You don’t need to map out every detail, but ask yourself: Who do I want to be on December 31, 2025? Then, work backward. Set goals, build new habits, and create a path that will guide you—even when life fills in unexpected details along the way.
2. Define Your Background
The first thing we did after sketching was paint the background. We chose colors, mixed paints, and set the tone for the rest of the painting. In life, this background represents your foundation—what grounds you when things get tough.
What will define your 2025? Is it your faith, your community, your work ethic, or your personal development? Like an anchor for a ship, your foundation keeps you steady during life’s storms. Challenges and wins alike will try to knock you off course—but if your foundation is strong, you’ll stay rooted.
3. Take Instructions
I’ll admit it: I can be hard-headed. For years, I believed figuring things out alone made me stronger. But as I watched our instructor share tips on painting pets, I realized how much faster and better we learn when we’re willing to listen.
Life is the same way. You don’t have to navigate everything alone. Seek mentors, coaches, or people who’ve already succeeded at what you’re trying to do. Take the lessons they’ve learned and apply them. Every successful person has had help along the way—there’s no shame in asking for guidance. It’s the fastest way to grow.
4. Focus on the Eyes
As I painted Bear, I noticed something interesting—the way the eyes were painted determined whether the pet looked lifelike or flat. The eyes tell the story.
In life, your “eyes” reveal your inner fire. They show passion, ambition, and focus—or a lack of it. When people look at you, what do they see? A driven person ready to tackle life’s challenges—or someone who’s checked out?
People bet on energy, passion, and presence. Let your fire shine through in everything you do.
5. Build on Darkness
Our instructor told us something I’ll never forget: “Don’t be afraid of dark colors. You can always build on top of them.”In painting, darkness creates depth. Shadows make the final picture richer. The same is true in life.
We all have dark moments—times of failure, struggle, or regret. But those experiences don’t define your final masterpiece. You can layer brighter hues on top of even the darkest times. Every setback can be transformed into a lesson, a stepping stone, or a defining moment—if you choose to build on it.
When I finished my painting, I was proud—not because it was perfect, but because I took what I learned and made the most of it.
As you step into 2025, think about your outline, your background, and the fire in your eyes. Take instructions, embrace the darkness, and keep building. The masterpiece of your life is still unfolding.
