During a recent video call with some of my students we had a conversation about the importance of adopting a creative mindset. It got me thinking about being continuously curious and open to learning new things.
Embracing Continuous Learning:
As an artist, I firmly believe in the philosophy that learning never truly ends. This month, I've embarked on a new adventure—as a student on a professional painting course. This decision stems from my deep-seated belief in the value of constantly pushing my own creative boundaries and stepping out of my comfort zone.
The course is online, blending pre-recorded classes with live mentorship sessions. It’s a fantastic mix of flexibility and real-time interaction, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds. Although I’ve only just started, I already feel invigorated by the prospect of diving into new techniques and perspectives.
The Importance of Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
Just like everyone else, I sometimes need that extra push to break out of my groove. It's easy to get comfortable with familiar styles and methods, but true growth lies in experimentation. Trying out different techniques, learning from various teachers, and exploring new styles are all crucial elements in an artist’s journey. Each new experience adds another layer to your artistic repertoire, helping you discover what truly resonates with you—the colours, marks, and subjects that ignite your passion.
Finding Your Unique Artistic Voice
The more you experiment, the more you can refine your unique artistic voice. It's similar to learning to cook with a variety of spices—you discover what suits your taste, what enhances your dishes, and ultimately, you create something uniquely yours. In art, the same principle applies. You take what you like from each new experience and leave what doesn’t fit your style, gradually shaping a distinctive creative identity.
Reinvention and Rediscovery
The course I've started is not just about learning new techniques but also about reinventing myself. Reflecting on my journey, I remember my time at college when my fine art degree pushed me to explore abstract and conceptual ideas. It was a challenging shift, moving out of my comfort zone into a realm of abstraction. Although I initially went very abstract for my degree, I've since reverted to a representational style that felt safer for me.
Now 14 years later, with a solid foundation in representational landscape work, I feel ready to revisit abstraction. I want to be more expressive, experimental, and playful in my art.
I’m also considering exploring different subject matters. While landscape painting has been my passion since childhood—I’m intrigued by the possibility of trying other subjects like figures, portraiture, wildlife, florals, still life etc.
Who knows what exciting new paths this course might lead me down? I don't expect to suddenly change tack completely, but I'm interested to see how exploring other subjects might inform my landscapes by giving my a change of perspective and some different techniques.
Looking Forward
I’m eager to share this journey with you all, and I hope my experiences inspire you to push your own boundaries and embrace new challenges. Stay tuned—you might see some new and exciting works from me soon!
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
If you're feeling inspired to push your own creative boundaries, I invite you to join me in one of my workshops or classes. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned artist, there's always something new to learn. Check out my online masterclasses and let’s embark on this artistic journey together! x
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