What have I gotten myself into?

I absolutely LOVE my my new job and have worked passionately at raising my business from the ground.. It has grown faster than i ever dreamed.. GREAT right? I have I think an average skill level and I am concentrating the next year into developing more as an artist, however I get SO panicked when I get a call for something I have never done before, because we get paid pretty good money to do what we do I have high expectations of myself to deliver something that my client is really happy with. I have'nt let anyone down yet,(that I know of) there has been times when I was'nt quite pleased with something I've done but the client is,,so all good.
I have just been approached by a beautiful model and aspiring singer (who is doing really well,,good on her!) to do an african themed body paint on her for a photo shoot...I just get so flippen scared,,and I doubt my ability to carry some things off, especially when they provide you with amazing art from the internet. I wish I was more confident in what I now do as a job...it causes me real stress..but I desire so much to get to that place where I know I can do anything people ask...Patience I suppose is the key,,,in growing as an artist.
I just had to get that off my chest,,Does anyone else struggle with this? Have you conquered your fears,,if so HOW?
Any wise words of wisdom.....I know in my heart to be kind to myself,, take time to grow and do the hard work,,,BUT..yeah..in the mean time..I feel like a fake.

Please be kind to yourself and look at the things you CAN do, many of us aren't that good as you are!

You want to be able to do everything, anybody asks for? Well sounds nice, but don't you think you'll get bored not facing new challenges and growing your skills? Not having to learn anything cause you've been " seen it, done it, been there" ?
You have the capability of learning stuff, please don't lose that! It brings you to the moon and back!
Be scared if there's nothing else or new to learn left....

Well, I can't express myself that good in English, I hope you get my point...
Just go for it! You can do it!

Thanks Lizzie, you have great English too, My parents are both Dutch also.
I do love to learn new stuff,, just under pressure and getting paid well for it is where it trips me up.
Thanks for your encouragement.

Just breath & relax. In your job you will always encounter challenges & even after years of experience you may get hit w/ a "freak out" moment that puts you out of your comfort zone. These challenges are some of the best parts of this business! You are a very talented artist & will do great! I can't wait to see the final results.

I recently got to meet the creator of Atari and the game Pong, a very intelligent (and RICH) man who is currently working on brain health games... anyway, he gave us some great advice.

He said doing things that make you feel uncomfortable is what makes your brain GROW! Whenever you get comfortable doing something, your brain stops receiving any benefit from that activity. So it's really important to constantly try new things and SEEK OUT things that make you uncomfortable! It keeps your brain healthy and makes you smarter.

So get out there and feel uncomfortable! It's a good thing!

Janna; that is so cool. Makes me think about things differently now.
I love your avatar butterfly... very pretty colors... which one stroke cake is that?

Miss Ronnie wrote:Janna; that is so cool. Makes me think about things differently now.
I love your avatar butterfly... very pretty colors... which one stroke cake is that?

Yeah, he had some really inspiring advice! It was such a great opportunity to meet him.

And thank you! I used the Peacock arty brush cake from SillyFarm. Can't wait to play with it more!!

Great words of wisdom Janna and Linda...Feel the fear and do it anyway huh!!
...I would'nt want to stunt my brain growth ! haha..breathe in breath out breath in breathe out.... I think I must have stress issues.. My brain accepts whats going on but my body says..whatever brain and my tummy swirls and my shoulders tense up....Perhaps I need to take up yoga and and sit cross legged singing ahmmmm.....smell the roses and eat more vegetables.
Thanks guys....you have made me smile...

Congratulations! That's an amazing opportunity and you know they've chosen you because they already like what you do; you're certainly NOT a fake; they like YOUR work ~ so have fun with it

Maybe practice in small chunks various parts of the design so that bit by bit you can feel more comfortable with it (ie some animals/trees/silhouettes/etc?) when you put it all together.

That's so exciting Do you have a date when you'll be doing the painting?

I hear ya! I feel the same way.

Janna, I loved your post. Thanks for sharing. I have had so many uncomfortable times of late, my brain must be shuddering with growth!! yay.

Just came home from painting aliens for the bar staff who had an Area 51 themed function at a pub down by the beach. The manager then turns around and says how happy they were with my work (awesome) and they're thinking of having a body painting function at the beach soon and would I like to be involved (uuuhhhh freaking out) I say I've never done any body painting etc etc (don't think it's even something I want to try, well, not yet anyway) so he asks me if I'd like to be a judge! I asked him to email me some details! What the???? Super super underqualified! Doesn't he know I have a mantra on my way to each gig "Fake it till you make it girl" hahahaha Faking it all the time and hoping it's enough to get by. I'm still in a state of shock when someone books me and then talks to me like they think I'm a pro.

So yeah, I hear ya. It stresses me too. They're paying me good money. I only ever want to give them the best I possibly can. Sorry, no words of wisdom, but maybe it helps to know you're not alone. : ) I could have written your post myself! ; )

Good luck with this new offer. You can totally do it!!

Rae, i so appreciate your honesty, It feels good to know that I am not alone. We will get there huh! Thanks for your support.

Helena, the theme has now change to modern pacific maori earthy theme,,,
And the pic she sent me are ones that are airbrush and done by people who have probably studied art and have been painting for years. One girl looks like she is tattooed intricately from head to toe,, ,It would take me a week to do something like that...I still feel like pulling the pin on this one. But I will try my hardest to come up with something I can pull off. I want to keep it delicate and simple, but impacting if that makes sense. The appointment is for the 20th or 21st..

Wow, freed - that sounds challenging...

maybe make up some ideas of designs and run it by them before the event, then if they like the ideas you'll know that you're okay...if they have any suggestions or want to take the design off on a tangent, then you'll have time to make those additions too...

keep us posted!

I have spoken with her and Wednesday is the day...She wants me to go with my owns ideas so i have free range within the theme set..I have a kabuki brush on its way and some leaf boobie covers,, I am also going on the photo shoot with them,,Exciting. They also want to use these images in her next music video! i am only having my materials covered and all the pro photo's. At this stage of my career. I am really happy and (SCARED SH#!LESS) to have the opportunity...Fingers/toes crossed and prayers please!

1/2 an hour to go til she arrives....the boob covers have not arrived..ARGH..we maybe making a green leaf bra today..lol Alright..get it together Angela...Excited!

Good luck!!! You'll do great!