David Limrite
Artist | Teacher | Coach | Mentor
David-Limrite-Artist-Teacher-Coach-Mentor-Banner.png

All Blogs

Weekly Blog on creativity and what it takes to be an artist by David Limrite (artist, teacher, mentor & coach)

TRY BECOMING UNCOMFORTABLE

IMG_7420.jpg

Meet the newest member of the SOUL SEARCHER DRAWINGS. “Untitled”, 16”x 12”, graphite, charcoal, acrylic and collage on paper.  © 2021 David Limrite

“The more you fail, the more you succeed. It is only when everything is lost and - instead of giving up - you go on, that you experience the momentary prospect of some slight progress. Suddenly you have the feeling - be it an illusion or not - that something new has opened up.”
Alberto Giacometti, Artist

Try Becoming Uncomfortable

One of the things that sets me back and derails my art making is when I become too comfortable and secure with my technique and style.

When I become too comfortable with how I make my images, things start to look stale and uninspired. I then become a passive artist who is just going through the motions.

This usually means that I have settled too deeply into a method of working which is just about checking off boxes. First, I do this. Next, I do this. Then, I do this. And so on and so on, until the piece is finished.

As a result, all the pieces start looking the same and become boring. And I become bored as well.

This is because I have become too comfortable.

So, when I recognize that this is happening, I know that it is time to shake things up, make left turns instead of rights and take a risk or two or three.

It is time to become uncomfortable.

This could involve:

  • Switching up the order of how and when I apply certain things

  • Working with a color that I don’t particularly like

  • Destroying parts of the drawing or painting on purpose and then re-working it

  • Pushing the boundaries of composition

  • Trying some unusual juxtapositions

  • Painting into a drawing or drawing into a painting

  • Turning my painting upside down and working on it that way for a while

I think you get the picture of what I’m talking about.

The goal here is to do something that makes me a bit uncomfortable, which then causes me to look at my painting differently. Which allows me to recognize new opportunities that I may have overlooked.

Being uncomfortable keeps me on my toes and forces me to be more aware of what is happening on the surface of my painting.

I don’t need or want to be uncomfortable all the time. However, by injecting moments of change and challenge into my art making, it helps me create more interesting and exciting paintings and drawings.

If you are up for it, try becoming uncomfortable every once in awhile in your creative work.

Best,

David

David LimriteComment