Let go, I say, and everyone will have a reason why it is important to hold on to the past. The safety of the past has a strong hold on most people, myself included.
I was watching some old videos on You Tube on how to embellish a box with lots of metal and paper accents. It turned out pretty, and it could inspire me to make a similar one, but no.
Here’s why: You can buy the art supply and create at your heart’s desire, but the components are made by other people. To get the desired look, you have to buy those components. The elements are mix and match. You are destined to succeed as all the tools are geared for the already successful design of the designer.
It’s not the easiest technique to master, but it is a “ready-made” artwork; you just assemble the pieces and follow the instructions.
There’s nothing wrong with that. I got inspired by fabulous mosaic artist, Laurie Mika, through her book Mixed Media Mosaics, to make my polymer clay boxes, but I ended up making my own designs, mostly because I did not have access to her supplies. My style keeps developing, but I don’t get any big ah-has as I do with painting.
It struck me anew how revolutionary it is to create something from scratch. Let go of the safety net! You use the elements and ephemera you already have. You can also gain fodder from the recycle bin. Creativity lies in the moment.
I have said it before; the artist has to be willing to explore what challenges her the most, discover the genius, like a diamond inside a lump of coal.
When inspiration pulls, and you respond, dare to go beyond the tried and true and explore the unknown grounds of self-expression.
There is a lot of uncertainty in that, but also great freedom.
It’s safe to make art from materials that someone else designed, but how challenging is it?
Let go of the safety net.
It’s like a blind man exploring the skin of an elephant. He will get the immediate texture of the skin, but can’t see the whole animal. Practicing art that comes from the deeper levels of the soul is the elephant not yet “seen.”
By keeping your focus on the moment, more is revealed as the art evolves.
Trust the subtle inspirations, choose the color that speaks to you right now, and after that, another color, and another.
When I let go, magic happens. It always feels new and amazing, even if the art itself doesn’t look like much. It is original, and no one can take that away. 🙂
There is a lot of resistance involved, but that doesn’t have to stop anyone from moving forward.
For some inspiration on how to deal with resistance, here’s a post on that subject: Resistance, we all feel it.
Another one: Practice never makes perfect.
I would love to hear how you deal with painting and making from scratch. Any ah-has or other insights?
Love,
Maria