Why should we keep pushing?

I was recently at an event talking with other artists about the education they were looking at taking.  Art workshops are not just for professionals, many retirees will tell you they have been waiting for years to have the time to do them.  Why do we keep pushing to learn and do new things?  

Continuing to learn keeps what we love fresh and new for us.  It keeps our minds active and introduces us to new people.  I have done several workshops where I meet new and amazing people who are working to understand something different.  Learning new is exciting, even if it is in the medium we are comfortable with.  We get bored with the same old thing and when that happens, we start slacking off and some even quit doing art all together.  Things we used to love, become tiresome and a chore.  Art supplies sit unused, hardening or waiting to be donated.  When we take workshops or watch videos, meet new artists and study other mediums; we become excited about creating art again.

Sometimes, taking a workshop again from the same artist helps us understand a concept we didn't quite learn the first time.  I know one artist who follows a particular instructor and takes his workshop whenever it is available.  This artist loves him but, is always looking for another artist who is offering a workshop.  I haven't been fortunate enough to take one workshop repeatedly but I must admit, I would follow this instructor for a couple more offerings.  His color use is fascinating and I haven't quite nailed down how I would use the concept effectively.  I keep pushing though and recently painted myself into a corner to work with it.  You saw my post last week?  Well, I finished the painting I posted and that is what you see this week.  Look for "Sunset Neons" painted November 2024.  I am excited to play with these colors and the new techniques I have been learning with my fixatives.

Keep watching my facebook page and website, I am So Excited to play!