Can an artist dramatically change their style?
The different shifts in artists' styles are usually described as "periods.” When I look back at my art journey, I see two distinct phases of development, separated by a pivot point when I realized that everything was going to change from here on out.
I initially planned on developing a realistic style - focus on control! What you don't see here is the 2/3 of the painting I cropped away because it wasn't working.
My safe period: characterized by an emphasis on learning control, how to paint with making any mistakes, earning the approval of an audience and only being as good as my last painting. The paintings from this time period are stiff, often overworked, hesitant and tense, mirroring my mindset.
I'm not knocking control; it's been hugely powerful for me to develop skills that help me anticipate what the paint and water will do. But this emphasis on getting it right was actually very counter to the freedom and acceptance that my heart craved. It was in realizing this yearning that I discovered artists who had gone before me and found a freedom that my art lacked. This led to:
Gloriously Golden, watercolour
My freedom period: I realized that I could choose a better way, that I could trust others to see beauty in my art if I simply poured my love into my work without trying to prove myself.
Tree Spirits, watercolor
When I realized that this kind of practice was possible, I craved this better way but I had no idea what that way would look like for me. All I could do was try to start. It felt a little ridiculous, starting out on a path when I didn't know where to go, what to do or how to do it. I just knew I couldn't stay where I was, and I set out for change.
It's an ongoing process but from where I stand I can look back and see that the tools that have helped me find my voice and my freedom are the same tools that will continue to shape this beautiful, lifelong pursuit.
Streams in the Desert, watercolour
Here are 10 “rules” I’ve learned about the heart-led artistic journey. These are the principles that guide me as I continually find that there is more freedom, joy and beauty ahead for me and my art.
Success comes from what you do consistently
Diversity invites expansion
Growth will only be recognized in hindsight
Growth from inside the situation feels like discomfort
It’s okay to break things
Avoid words like mistake, fail, finished, success, perfect
"Can’t" usually conceals a limiting perception
You don’t get to be certain
Listen to experts but Trust yourself
Even when you’re not painting, you’re painting.
I’m not going to unpack these all today. Each one deserves its own blog post. But I’m curious; do they resonate for you? What do these short phrases prompt as you think about your own creative process? I'd love to hear about it, and I'll be writing more on this topic soon.