The Artist Within: Becoming a stronger artist

by Lauren Walker

Complacency is the enemy of creativity. It's no different in my profession as a personal trainer. When I worked in a gym, I used to watch people do the same routine over and over and never get anywhere. They became comfortable, but the problem is they never got any stronger. If you are locked in a predictable routine, then how will you get any stronger as an artist?

Shake it Up

Many years before becoming an artist, I was locked into a pattern I didn't like. It was a safe place to be, and it meant I didn't have to step out of my comfort zone. Complacency is like a comfortable old sweater which you put on time and time again. It's warm and familiar, but you don't realize it's tattered and torn. Becoming a better artist means tossing out the old sweater and trying on something new. It may feel uncomfortable at first, and that's the point. Change is hard, but never changing at all is much harder.

Take a Risk

I've always wanted to learn to play the guitar. I was always intimidated by how much there is to learn. It is truly out of my element, so that's why I'm taking guitar lessons. Expressing myself in various forms is imperative to my growth. Learning the intricacies of a new instrument can open the door to more creative thinking. This will make me a better artist and help me see things I haven't seen before. As Wayne Gretzky says, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." I may not be the next guitar hero, but I can at least say I tried.

Don't be the Smartest Person in the Room

"If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room." I cannot recall who said it, but I abide by it! Success in any profession means surrounding yourself with people who can teach you something. I am incredibly passionate about what I do, so I want to be with people who match my energy. It nurtures my natural desire to create and pushes me to learn new things. I love being a part of events such as the OAA Juried Show because I meet people and get challenged.

Happy Painting

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