The Power of Asking: What If?
What do you think is one of the most important habits to develop as an artist?
In my mind, it’s experimentation.
And experimentation is driven by trusting yourself and cultivating an attitude of allowing.
I believe that exploration, experimentation and being willing to step into the terra incognita of your soul is the sine qua non of being an artist.
Why do I say this?
Because…
Creativity lives in the space of “not knowing”
It’s fueled by curiosity and inquiry.
This is where you explore the reaches of your imagination and surprise yourself by what emerges.
Exploring and playing deeply, your concern about the outcome falls away.
You find yourself in the timeless present moment.
You find yourself in a state of flow.
So how can you access this exploratory nature in yourself more often?
We could talk about this topic for hours and never get to the end of it.
That said, what is one thing you can do right now that will help you cultivate an attitude of experimentation?
I believe there’s one simple question you can ask yourself when you paint that will transform your experience of creating.
The question is: What if?
What if?..
You see where I’m going here.
We’re talking about is the deep practice of “allowing” the ineffable, the mystery, the unknown to unfold in your work and life
And it’s perilous.
It’s scary.
It’s treacherous territory.
You’re going to have to wrestle down your dark angels of self doubt, fear and inner criticism in order to create your deepest art
Grappling with your fear is part of seeking the truth of your own expression and not settling for the low hanging fruit of predictable, formulaic art (or life, for that matter).
Writing this, I’m reminded of these lines of TS Eliot in Little Gidding:
Not known, because not looked for But heard, half-heard In the stillness Between two waves of the sea Quick now, here, now Always– A condition of complete simplicity Costing not less than Everything
Much love from my studio to yours,
Nancy |
