The problem outside of our comfort zone

A year ago I decided to switch to another art teacher. My old teacher was great, but also quite strict , and I felt ready to find my own way. I asked my new teacher, the wonderful Hilde Overbergh, to encourage me to step outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to loosen up my brushstrokes, and evolve the content of my paintings.

The problem with stepping outside of your comfort zone is, well… that it’s uncomfortable. And although I knew it was going to be, it surprised me and I got very frustrated creating ugly stuff for months. Hilde kept reminding me I was right where I needed to be (in the middle of a very messy process), and I pushed through.

I’m not saying I’m at the other end of the journey (because we never are), but I’m kind of seeing the light again. I am discovering what it is that I want to paint, and I’m so happy that my brushstrokes are looser and more confident than ever.

Then why haven’t we seen any of this new work, you’re asking me? I understand. And that’s my next step to take: finding the courage to show you what I’m creating.

My inner critic (that is a very productive little guy with a lot of time on his hands) has been trying to convince me that:

• You will not appreciate my looser brushstrokes, because they make the work seem less finished (aka less perfect).

• You will hate the things I’m painting because they are less cheerful than my previous work.

• You will despise me for it (because that’s what that little guy throws into every argument, just to be complete).

To be fair, I haven’t got a lot of pieces yet, let alone a coherent collection. Yet here I am, feeling small and a bit scared, promising you that I will share my new paintings. Starting now, with more to come.