David-Limrite-Artist-Coach-Mentor-Teacher-Small-Risks

My first and only attempts, so far, at painting some 5”x 7” paintings.

“All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them".

~Walt Disney

I talk all the time about how important risk taking is in our creative work. Taking risks is vital, even crucial, in our creative pursuits. I talk about how important courage and bravery are. I am an advocate for “stepping outside your comfort zone”. (An overused term, I know). However, you must step outside your comfort zone as often as you can. If nothing else, it makes the process easier.

I try to practice what I preach. But sometimes it is very difficult. However, I realized something the other day: The risks that you take don’t have to be big ones. They can be little ones. Risks, no matter how big or small, are not insignificant. They can be game changers.

So, if you have trouble taking big risks with your work, try taking smaller ones. Baby steps, if you will.

Currently for me, a big risk is trying to paint much smaller than I normally do. I am much more comfortable creating large, life-size figurative pieces. However, one of my goals, for whatever reason, is to someday be able to create small, 5”x 7”, paintings that have the same power and emotional intensity as my larger work. So, instead of taking the big risk of attempting a series of 5”x 7” pieces, I am slowly reducing the size of my paintings until I can successfully create something that I am happy with at 5”x 7”. This is allowing me to become more and more comfortable with the idea and process of working small. I am currently down to 24’x 18”. I have a long way to go. (I tried some very small pieces with not much success, as you can see in the above photo).

Taking smaller risks is allowing me to inch towards my goal. But, at least I am moving forward and I am not stuck in the fear of too big a risk.

What smaller risks might you take in your own creative pursuits to help push you forward towards your goals?

Best,

David

BTW, for all of you living in San Luis Obispo County, I will be speaking at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art on Thursday, March 3 at 12 noon, as part of their new Art At High Noon program. The title of my talk will be: WE ARE ALL CREATIVE. I hope you will attend.

[EARLY INTEREST LIST]

The ELEVATE: Artist Mentorship Program (Los Angeles) has Sold Out.

If you are interested in participating in the next round of ELEVATE, either in Los Angeles or San Luis Obispo County (Central Coast) please click below:

Put me on the ELEVATE (Los Angeles) Early Interest List (April-June)

Put me on the ELEVATE (SLO-Central Coast) Early Interest List (Dates TBD)

Want to learn more about ELEVATE? Click here.