dare to explore
give yourself permission to make a mess.
yancey towne’s art making is a weekly peek into the art studio to share learnings, current projects, and inspiration. Making art is what teaches us who we are, what we believe in, and what we can create… here’s to finding yours.
Years ago I wanted to start riding my bike. I gathered the basic gear, figured out routes, and talked all about it. Days passed, a lot more talking. Then finally a couple of weeks passed by and it hit me, I still hadn’t actually started riding! I got stuck in prep mode and forgot to leap. I hopped on my bike the next day.
Beginning art can be just as tricky. There are hurdles like space, supplies, skills, and of course, time. My mind likes to work all the problems out before hand—where to put the paint, do I need a cart, how many pieces of paper will I work on at once, do I have enough brushes? I’m learning to balance having things in place with diving in and getting to the practice. No matter how much prep goes into getting things in place, it’s the actual project that will give you the experience you need to grow your skills.
It’s possible that the more you practice, the less you have to prep. Or, maybe it’s the more you practice, the more dialed in your prep becomes. Learning how to navigate through a tool breaking mid-stroke gives you the confidence to do it again, better. Notice what worked and what didn’t—what you liked and what was less interesting.
The only thing you need to do to begin is to make a mark. Make it and keep going. In the early stages give yourself permission to make a mess. Judging early work removes possibilities and shrinks our view. There’s time to view your work with a critical eye, later, if you want. The early days are for play, exploration, and noticing what you’re drawn to.
Investigate all the ways you can experiment—do you like to move slowly or with speed? Do like short pencils or super long ones made by taping your Ticonderoga to a long wooden dowel? How does it feel to paint with your opposite hand? Once you start unlocking experiments that resonate with you, more ideas will come to you. There are infinite combinations. Your only work is to continue to play and notice what you like.
This play is the foundation of your art practice. When you approach it through play, then you build a practice rooted in what you’re drawn to and what feeds your heart. With each session you can repeat and refine techniques, discovering which ones you enjoy the most. Repeat those and gently review your work to discover what speaks to you… 💛