Fast Isn’t Rushed
Fine Art Friday #60 on Speed and Grace
A lot of people comment on how fast I paint.
At weddings, guests come up to me wide-eyed—“You’ve already got that much done?” “That’s incredible!” “Wait, you just started and it already looks like them!?”
And while I am a fast painter—it’s true—I didn’t start that way.
The speed came from practice. From starting over again and again. From painting the same scene with 20 variations until my hand moved on instinct.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned:
The speed came from practice. From starting over again and again. From painting the same scene with 20 variations until my hand moved on instinct.
But here’s the thing I’ve learned:
Speed isn’t the same as rushing.
And quick doesn’t mean careless.
There’s slowness in my speed.
There’s grace in it.
A sort of peace that comes from knowing exactly what you want to do—and being willing to adjust if the moment calls for it.
It’s the kind of confidence you earn after years of second-guessing.
Of wondering if your work is good enough.
Of learning that done well is always better than done perfectly.
And honestly? That’s true for more than art.
It’s true for wedding planning. For relationships. For motherhood. For life.
If you’ve been putting pressure on yourself to get everything “just right”—to check every box, make every moment count, and never miss a beat—here’s your permission slip:
You can be fast and still full of grace.
You can move quickly and still move intentionally.
You can trust yourself to get it right without grinding yourself into the ground.
Art Tip of the Week:
Fast doesn't mean rushed. Let your hand move quickly—let your brush follow the feeling—but stay grounded in what you know to be true.
Try this in daily life:
Leave room for edits. Try doing something without overthinking it—and give yourself permission to revise later.
Work in layers. In painting and in life, layering adds richness. You don’t have to do it all at once.
Celebrate small completions. That email sent? That brushstroke down? That invitation ordered? It counts. You’re doing it.
You’re allowed to be quick.
You’re allowed to be calm.
And yes—you’re allowed to be both.
Now I’d love to know—what’s something you’ve practiced so much it’s become second nature? I’ll be cheering you on from here.
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Thanks for reading today's edition of the Stories I Only Tell My Friends newsletter! & if you're new here—hi! I'm Courtney, fine artist and live wedding painter, honored to paint beautiful celebrations around the 🌎. I'd love for you to stick around and subscribe to keep reading one art tip, once a week. :)