Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone!
The Value Of Learning Something New
As artists, it's easy to settle into familiar ways of working. We develop techniques we love, gravitate toward certain colors and materials, and find a rhythm in the studio that feels comfortable. And there's nothing wrong with that...but sometimes, staying comfortable can keep us from discovering what else is possible.
I was reminded of this recently when I took a four-day "The Power Of Twelve" workshop with artist Michael Shemchuk, Abstraction By Design, focused on creating a series of paintings. I'll admit, I fought it a little at first. The process pushed me away from the way I normally work, and my instinct was to fall back on what I knew. It's not always easy to let someone else's approach guide you when you're used to following your own instincts.
But eventually, I stopped resisting and began to embrace the lessons. I gave myself permission to experiment, to be uncomfortable, and to trust the process. And something pretty cool happened...I created pieces that I totally love!
It was a good reminder that sometimes we have to step away from what we know in order to discover what we didn't know was possible.
That's one of the things I value most about taking a workshop. It's not necessarily about learning a new technique to add to our toolbox. It's about seeing things differently, challenging our habits, and allowing ourselves to be beginners again.
Interestingly, this workshop coincides with the 10-week Small Artwork Challenge I'm doing with Sergio Gomez of Art NXT Level. Rather than treating the two experiences as separate projects, I'm going to continue developing the pieces I created in the workshop as part of my small works series. I'm curious to see where they lead me. Not to mention...I'm always in for streamlining my art practice...and life for that matter! In my "From The Studio" posts...I wrote about creating a series using your own story...if a series grabs your interest...
And that's the beauty of staying open to learning. One experience can build on another, taking our work in directions we might never have found on our own. Not to mention... meeting and painting with fellow artists and a wonderful teacher...all sharing their knowledge and encouragement...THE BEST!
Sometimes the best thing we can do for our art is to let go of what feels familiar and
give ourselves permission to try something new.
You never know what you might discover!
Denise, I totally agree! I'm not sure I noticed how comfortable I was in my zone until I stepped out of it! Love following your neverending creativity!!