Pushing Creative Boundaries

It's OK to push boundaries when you are making art

A boundary is a line that marks a limit. Imagine a circle. In this circle is your comfort zone, your sense of safety, familiarity, confidence and knowledge. This is all well and good. But, what if you want to explore outside of this zone, to create, discover and grow?

I am a flower girl! I have developed my art career (at Terri Conrad Designs) on illustrating and designing everything from scrapbooking paper, fabric collections, home decor, wall art and stationery products with floral themes. I want, however, to expand my creative ability here, for Bloom True.

This week end, I came across the beautiful work of artist Toni Burt and her illustrated faces, and wanted to give a go at emulating her ability. I watched one of her videos and this is the result of my first attempt illustrating a face. I pushed my boundary, and my comfort zone, if you will. As I step back and take her in, and witness my work, I feel both pleased (for pushing my boundary) and a touch critical (acknowledging I have some learning and refining to do). This is OK too.

What is key here, is that we do not allow our inner critic to stop us from continuing to push our creative boundary, from exploring, discovering and growing. To do so we need to be compassionate and kind with ourselves as we learn and reach for something more. We have to be brave and remember to keep a beginner’s mind, approaching our art work with openess, and a willingness and allow ourselves to fully appreciate and enjoy the moments in which we are exploring and learning.

I’d love to hear about when you pushed a creative boundary and learned a new technique or way to express yourself.

Whenever we create, may we invite self-compassion and loving kindness to the table with us!