Day 4: It's Not Ruined

Experience only comes through practice

We bring those scraps and bits of collage paper to the table because we like them. We gathered knowing we were about to embark on a 5-minute exercise. And then something shifts inside and suddenly we’re feeling way more apprehensive about ripping into this piece of paper or the possibility of creating something we’re not excited to show and it stops us.

So often when I teach these exercises, especially when I can do it on location with the participants all sitting around the studio table, I see people piecing together a collage on their substrate before I’ve set the timer to begin. In the virtual realm of teaching online, without fail, someone will post their work and proclaim “It took me longer than 5-minutes, but I like it!”

Both of these examples are the controlling mindset of the Art Critic Voice packaging. The one that is too afraid to create something that may not look like they’re hoping for in such a short time. Remember the goal is not to create a work you’re happy with, the goal is to experience those internalized messages that tell us we can’t show ourselves or our work unless it looks presentable.

Creating something you aren’t happy with doesn’t mean you’ve ruined a few scraps of ephemera in your collection. It does mean that you’ve gained some experience and you’re one step closer to understanding those blocks that inhibit you when you are attempting to create something you feel proud to show.

How did the 5 minute collage exercise impact you this time? Can you relate to those critical messages that try to excuse taking a few extra minutes or beginning before it’s time?

Show up for yourself, leave a comment and let’s continue that conversation.

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