This Season of Creating & Embracing What is Coming From My Hands

When I started creating art more seriously about 7 years ago, I worked heavily with papers, mark making tools, image transfers, stamping, collage work (the reason I fell in love with the creative process in the first place). It was so freeing and I was awakened by the process of discovering what could be combined and applied in unique, beautiful ways. Over time, I was moved in a different direction, creating primarily with paint and pastels. Recently, I have been returning to some of my roots and it has been SO much fun. I am soaking it all up and I love that inspiration strikes and old processes come back in a new way.

I have been exploring lino printing (there is something so satisfying about carving), transparency in paintings, and creating with multiple mediums (acrylic, watercolor, and pastels). There is something really complimentary about the soft watercolor layers and texture of paint together. I love the beautiful, unexpected marks a lino print makes. There is an element of unknown which requires surrendering to the process, intuitively moving through from laying down a print, to adding paint, and layers.

I am feeling inspired to explore new processes and also being stretched to move through fear. It often feels easier to lock myself into creative constraints that have been formed by ways I have created in the past, the style I have developed, or what people have said about my work. It requires so much courage to lean into exploring new processes, to accept what is coming out of my hands as good and beautiful, to create work that I fear may not be enjoyed as much.

This season of leaning into a different process than I have done in a long time is teaching me to open myself to what is inspiring me and how I am moved to create even if it different. Courage is not natural to me but I believe it is necessary if I am going to create with authenticity and humility.

Thanks for following along with me in this space. I hope you are encouraged to lean into what is inspiring you and trusting that what comes out of your hands is good and beautiful.