5 Prompts to Embrace in Your Painting Journey

In my 16 years as a teaching artist, I have observed recurring themes among my students and in my own painting practice. In an effort to guide, encourage, and inspire other artists to overcome their fears, I have identified five prompts to embrace in your painting journey.

1. Get Dirty

Embrace the mess. Allow yourself to get truly dirty. Let the paint find its way onto your clothes, your skin, your hair, the table, and the floor. Embrace the chaos and get over the fear of making a mess. Your studio is a place for freedom and expression, where rules can be broken and boundaries pushed. Lay down drop sheets, cover your walls in plastic if needed, and revel in the joy of getting your hands dirty. For me, this messiness is an essential part of the artistic process that sets my creativity free.

2. Make Something Ugly

We all strive to create beauty in our art. Our creations are deeply personal and reflective of who we are. The fear of producing something ugly can be paralyzing. However, the creative journey is not a linear path; it is filled with experimentation, mistakes, and growth. Embrace the idea of creating something ugly as a learning experience. Challenge yourself to paint something intentionally unattractive. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them without fear or judgment. Remember, failure is a crucial stepping stone on the path to success, both in art and in life.

3. Make a Mess

As a recovering perfectionist, I understand the desire for a neat and organized workspace. However, in the midst of creation, it's important to give yourself permission to embrace the chaos and make a mess. Allow yourself the freedom to let go of perfection and explore the creative process without constraints.

4. Make Mud

The fear of creating muddy colors is a common obstacle for many artists. Embrace the beauty of muddy, organic hues rather than striving for artificially vibrant tones. Experiment with mixing colors and allow yourself to appreciate the grounding energy that muddy colors can bring to your work.

5. Waste Materials
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Concerns about wasting materials can hold artists back from fully exploring their creativity. While it's important to be mindful of resource use, the fear of wasting materials should not limit your artistic exploration. Give yourself permission to experiment and play with your materials, even if it means "wasting" them in the traditional sense. Every brushstroke and every color mix is an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist. Embrace the process of experimentation and discovery, and view any "waste" as a valuable part of your artistic journey.

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