Don’t get too comfortable

 October 26, 2016

Don’t get too comfortable

It’s important as a creative person to stay driven and hungry at all times. You should be motivated and eager to learn new things. I think the second we feel we have figured it out or nailed a specific thing. It becomes mundane and boring, which becomes a danger to your creativity. Once things become no fun anymore it can damage your creative drive. Overall, it can kill your passion for creating. Which is why it’s extremely important to keep learning. When we explore other horizons we gain a new perspective on numerous possibilities. These new perspectives can help enhance our creativity and thinking. Ultimately making us a better person, artist, thinker, and overall creative individual. Avoid getting too comfortable as much as possible.

Steve Jobs once said “Stay hungry, Stay foolish”; I believe everything about that statement. It’s very easy to get comfortable once you have “mastered” a certain thing. You simply stop expanding your thinking and creativity, which hinders your ability to create. One way to avoid this is to simply keep learning and expand your sources. Maybe you only use a certain type of source you rely on for your creativity. Whether it’s in music, photography, fine art, and even dance. Expand your horizons with new creative ways to freshen up your craft. For example, I get use to so use to drawing with paper and pencil. One way I can take that ability to the next level is to photograph it and bring it into an illustrator software. Where I can tweak it, color, deconstruct, build, and so fourth. The possibilities almost become endless when we try new things and expand our sources. Trying new things will also allow you to step out of your comfort zone. Which is great because it keeps us driven and eager to learn things.

Embrace your strengths

 October 20, 2016

Embrace your strengths

            Understanding your ability and skill level is an important entity for any creative individual. Identifying your weaknesses is good, but knowing your strengths are even greater. Its kind of like a physical examine, we know what parts of us is functioning well. And we also recognize what parts need treatment and help. It’s basically a blueprint that allows us to work from. This way we understand ourselves more as creative individuals. It helps us set goals and allows us to work with our strengths. Embracing your strengths is important because it will help you grow as an artist. As well as enhance your skill level and keep your artistic momentum flowing. Once you have realized your potential your able to lead yourself in the right direction.

            I like to say that putting your strengths into action helps avoid creative blocks. It’s a safe guard to prevent anything that might hinder our ability to create. A great way to embrace your strengths is to do something that will improve and flex those strengths. For example, I would say that design and illustrating are some of my strengths. So what I would do to exercise these strengths is to create a logo. This way I can use my illustrating and design abilities together to create something I know will benefit me. Even if it’s just for fun, sometimes-personal projects lead to something great. It’s during these times were able to discover our passion and find pleasure in what we do. Learn to embrace your strengths to help you become a stronger innovative person.

How to overcome your insecurities

 October 14, 2016

How to overcome your insecurities

            As people and artist, we’ve all experienced some sort of agony in our lives at one point. We all come from different backgrounds and walks of life. Some of these damages have been inherited throughout our lives. Allowing it to build up angst and shape us into the people we are today. I’ve struggled a lot with my insecurities growing up; it conflicted with my creativity and outlook on life. I often see talented individuals who are gifted in many creative areas. However, some artists are afraid of their insecurities, which hinder their ability to create. I’m guilty of this problem as well but I’ve learned some things that have helped me overcome this issue. I think one of the biggest key points to tackle this problem is to not compare yourself to others. That’s a huge problem many artists including myself have a tough time dealing with. Another big key is to not let other people’s opinions bring you down, to avoid any negative comments. These two points have helped me with my art and my personal life; I hope that it will do the same for you.

            I think many of us want to be praised for the work we create, however that’s not always the case. We can simply be let down by harsh comments that bring us to a low point instantly. Its these comments that we should not allow ourselves become a victim to. What works for me is to not pay attention to the negative remarks. Look at negativity as a way we can challenge ourselves to become better. Think of it as a reminder to keep building your craft. To exercise your talent and creative thinking. Take those comments are learn from it, to only make us better at what we do. Therefore helping us grow and become better creative individuals.

            When we start to compare ourselves to other people we step into dangerous territory. Basically setting ourselves up for failure, because you’re taking what another person can do and seeing how great your work matches up to it. Try avoiding comparison as much as possible because it will only bring you down. Instead of comparing, try looking at another person’s work as inspiration and motivation to keep thriving. Keep in mind some artist’s have more experience and have strengthen their skills throughout their life. Just because your work does not look like theirs does not mean you’re any less than them. Keep practicing and trying new things, that’s the only way you can grow. Look past these problems and try to learn something you can benefit from.

             

Perfection Does Not Exist

 October 6, 2016

Perfection Does Not Exist

            I often think of perfectionism as a creativity destroyer, it butchers your imagination and creative drive. Therefore overshadowing your joy and passion you love for creating. I know perfectionism very well because it’s a problem I struggle with on a day-to-day basis. For a while it hindered my ability to produce work and put me in a weird state of mind. Being a perfectionist can suffocate your productivity, which enables you to create less. It puts a cap on your imagination and room to experiment. A great way to overcome this issue is to work with the bad ideas and focus on producing work. One good thing to keep in mind is that perfection does not exist.

A good exercise to help overcome your fears of imperfection is to learn to work with bad ideas. Sometimes the horrible ideas help expand your creativity and bring inspiration. For instance, I was working on a drawing, which I thought was good at the time. As time went on, I looked back it and noticed how bad the concept was. However, instead of relying on my “perfect” state of mind. I developed the idea even further so I could let my other ideas influence what I was creating. Allowing my creative drive to take over instead of worrying about the perfect end result. This also resulted in me creating some very good work of art. Learn to work with the bad ideas and let your imagination take ahold.

If I were to offer any advice or words that could help some creative individual. I would say that everything you’re going to create will not be perfect. As vague as that sounds, its very true. If you really want to become a better artist or help your creative drive. Than you must not let your “perfection” viewpoints get in your way. Allowing yourself to give in to these thoughts will only obstruct your creativity. If you’re worried about creating the best and making everything flawless. Then you will not get very far with your work. In fact, every flaw we have makes us unique from one another. I heard from somewhere that our flaws is what makes us human, it’s the imperfect things that makes us special. Learn to embrace your imperfections and work through them.