What Actually Helped Me Grow as an Artist
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EPISODE 190
I'd love to say that my journey as an artist has been a smooth one, filled with joyful painting and effortless learning, but I think we all know that's not quite how things go!
This week, I reflect on how I started to make sense of the chaos of my early creative years, get to know myself creatively, recognise what felt authentic to me, and develop a mindset that helped me finish more paintings and ultimately find more happiness in the process.
My hope is that this episode offers a little encouragement to keep going, especially if you're just starting out or feeling a bit lost along the way. It takes time to grow as an artist, but it's such a rewarding journey to be on.
Here is a summary of what we discussed:
Getting to Know Yourself Creatively
Discovering your own style starts with noticing the colours, subjects and techniques you're naturally drawn to, and recognising what feels authentic to you.The Power of Sketchbooks and Mood Boards
Sketchbooks provide space to experiment without pressure, while mood boards help bring ideas together and reveal patterns in your creative preferences.Experimenting Without Losing Yourself
Trying new techniques is valuable, but not everything needs to become part of your practice. We talk about staying curious while learning to recognise what feels right for you.Why Quantity and Finishing Matter
Finishing more paintings, embracing imperfection and working in multiples helped me learn faster and become less attached to individual outcomes.Finding the Right Level of Challenge
Choosing achievable challenges rather than constantly pushing beyond your abilities can build confidence and make painting more enjoyable.Growth Takes Time
Developing as an artist isn't always easy or linear. We reflect on the importance of patience, consistent practice and finding your way back to the joy of creating.
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What is flow state, why is it so beneficial for artists, and what can we do to create more opportunities for it to show up in our creative practice?