Developing Our Own Processes

Hello everyone! Summer is slowly finding its way here to the mountains. Just like the change of seasons vary from place to place, we too have our own rhythms and styles that we need to pay attention to. The beauty of life is that we are all unique. Sometimes we get too programmed to be doing things like everyone else. We need to remember to develop our own processes. It is great to learn from others or take in knowledge, but applying that knowledge in our own way is where we truly grow.

I am a learner. I love to read and I love to try new things and ideas. I will read and read and study techniques and tricks forever in hopes of really knowing my craft. With my airbrushing for too long I was afraid of messing up, of doing things wrong, of not meeting my own expectations let alone the expectations of others. That was a mistake in thinking that held me back.

The great thing about making those mistakes, looking rookie, or foolish, or failing is that you grow so much more by making mistakes than just reading "how to". I now am excited to say I am embracing that time in the studio of trial and error and look back at my experiences in all the paints, and techniques I have dabbled in and realize that those things I tried, spent money on, and didn't continue doing were all part of my way of discovering what I really wanted to do. If I had not tried those things, I wouldn't know what I like or don't like for myself. I am learning to enjoy the trial and error, to not judge so harshly.

I love to learn about what others do, and will try those things out now still. But, I have realized that I have my own processes, shortcuts, and things that work in my studio for ME. Who would have known that the Passche Airbrush (one of the airbrushes my Grandpa gave me when he passed away) would be the airbrush I LOVE to use in my studio and that I have 4 of the very same type? I had tried to follow many of the the pros in the industry who all seemed to use Iwata. It had to be the best, so I purchased numerous Iwata airbrushes over the years. I would bend soooo many needles, I couldn't keep a strait needle for the life of me. I thought that I had to have the same airbrush everyone else loved and frustrated myself to no end trying to make it work until I discovered a Passche my Grandpa had given me. It gave me such freedom, I was able to get beyond the tool and really find my joy in painting.

In closing, it is great to learn, to take in knowledge. But don't forget, you have to test out the things you learn for yourself to see if that process really is a good fit for you. In doing so you grow and learn so much more.