Small Changes
Lots of us are focused on what we want for ourselves in the new year. It’s great to have goals! But I am learning that goals alone don’t always get results. There’s a step between having a goal and getting results. According to James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits,” it’s all about putting in place a system of small adjustments. I love this approach because it’s totally do-able and can yield big results. Mr. Clear likens this to what happens if you shift the nose of an airplane by a few degrees. You won't notice the shift on the runway but a plane leaving Los Angeles bound for New York will actually end up in Washington D.C. Same goes for habits. $5 isn’t a lot of money, but if you put $5 into a cookie jar every day, you have $1760 dollars at the end of the year. If you knock 200 calories off your daily intake, you’ll have a deficit of 70,400 calories and 20 pounds in one year.
This year, I want to see some changes in my art. I want my work to feel more free, less controlled, more brave! I’ve made a list of small things I can change to get this result…work quickly, use a timer, work with wet paint, have ample supplies of paint, use tools that can’t be controlled, use my non-dominant hand, close my eyes, listen to loud music, work on multiple pieces at the same time, and practice the above every day for 30 minutes. Thirty minutes of practice with a firm intention, will shift my process, I’m sure. It’s already begun, and that feels great…
Messy, yummy, beautiful paint!
What small changes could you make that would add up to something big by the end of the year?
For artists: If you want to see some big shifts in your work, you’ll want to sign up for the Art2Life Free Workshop that starts soon. These online lessons on Design, Value and Color include the fundamental principles that transformed my own work. Email me for more info!
For collectors: Redfin Real Estate asked me and a few other artists to contribute to their blogpost on how to incorporate art into your home. You can read post that here.