Fear of Failure

I am always inspired when I look at other people's at work, especially in media in which I also work. I see new ways of using a colour, new uses for my favorite tools, new ways of answering a creative question. 

I love going to galleries and seeing other people's work up close. Then I go to my own studio and use what I have learned. This is exciting and inspiring for me. 

But sometimes, in my studio, newly energized by my recent forays, I freeze. A million questions rise up in my mind: what if I don't know what comes next? What if I don't really understand this technique? What if I invest all this time and energy into this piece and it doesn't turn out the way I wanted it to? 

What if I fail?

What if I do? So what?

 

Every moment I spend making art also goes into future art which l haven't even thought about yet. There are rules, but there are no useless mistakes. Every mistake teaches me about my materials, my tools, my subjects, my techniques. 

One is the purposes of all my dozens of sketchbooks is to provide me with an archive of my mistakes. 

From my failures I learn the way forward. And why would I fear to progress and grow?

I embrace this risk. I own my mistakes.

Gladly.