Oil Paint Stick Demonstration at Art Central in San Luis Obispo this past Sunday with a great turn out.

“Another word for creativity is courage.”
Henri Matisse

Creating is challenging. In a good way. However, sometimes it can be quite daunting. Especially when you are in the midst of what you hope will end up being a cohesive body of work.The pressure to create a consistent group of paintings or drawings can cause anxiety.

I work in series format. Always have. I love being able to dive deep into an idea or subject matter and explore the many variations that are possible.

I have learned a few things that have helped me manage my mind as I work on a series of pieces. And I think they may help you too. I will talk about one of them this week and explore some of the others in the weeks to come.

This first one is more of a realization. I have realized that every piece that I create on my journey towards developing a cohesive body of work is not going to be a winner. There are going to be duds. Especially if I am taking risks, pushing myself and trying new things. Just knowing this allows me to explore with more freedom.

And as a result, I create with more reckless abandon.

This takes the pressure off of having to play it safe and create pieces that hold the series together. These pieces may be good, and they may hold the series together, however, they are more often than not, very boring.

If each piece is too precious, the work will never go where it needs or wants to go.

Some of my best pieces were created when I allowed myself to work with reckless abandon. And the series is always cohesive. No matter how experimental I get. Every piece comes from me, my heart and my hand. This is what holds a series together.

Creating is all about being involved in the process, making stuff, experimenting with courage, trying things and taking risks. Rather than playing it safe. The fun is in the process and that is where the really good, interesting and surprising pieces come from.

Leave preciousness at your studio door and create with reckless abandon.