Fostering Artistic Growth Through Exploration & Experimentation

With my recent printing experiments now brooding quietly on the studio bench and as I wonder where to go next with them, I've been tuning into the importance of experimentation. Stepping beyond tried and proven processes or techniques and embracing working with new materials is always a step into the unknown. And one to be relished rather than feared!

Art is truly a journey, not a destination, and experimentation plays a crucial role in our artistic growth. It challenges us to step outside our comfort zone, explore new ideas, and create new avenues for us to develop and refine our unique visual voice. So why is experimentation so critical for artists, and how do we incorporate it into our creative practice?

| Understanding Artistic Growth

Artistic growth is all about evolution. It involves refining our skills, discovering new techniques, and finding our distinct style. This process sounds rational and simple enough but it can feel daunting and the way ahead will often be scattered with self-doubt and fear of failure.

Embracing the learning aspect of this process is fundamentally important. Each experiment should be seen not as a means to create something perfect and gallery-worthy, but to 'learn something' about ourselves—our preferences for a particular way of working, what we enjoy or dislike about a technique or process, different styles and aesthetics, and which resonate most with us. This can also help identify possible new directions for our ideas or directions to avoid.

The most important aspect of experimentation is that it encourages us to try new things, fail (or succeed!), and ultimately learn from those experiences.

According to a study published in the Journal of Aesthetic Education, artists who regularly experiment with different techniques are more likely to feel fulfilled and confident in their work.

| Experimentation Leads to Innovation

When we engage in experimentation, we're not just trying new techniques—we're paving the way for innovation. We're creating a space for new and previously undiscovered things to happen, for 'accidents' to occur. I find it's important to close the door to the outside world when I'm experimenting, sometimes physically but more so mentally.

Unplugging and switching off from the fast-paced and demanding world of changing trends, (particularly on social media), for a while gives our ideas space to breathe and time for our thoughts to settle and really become our own. We don't have to share our explorations or talk about them, we can just sit with them and wait for resonance to emerge. Some time ago I created a 'Wall of Curiosities' for just this purpose, the learnings from this are still evident in various ways in my current work.

Looking beyond my studio though, further back in history, artists like Picasso and Dali revolutionized the art world by breaking away from traditional styles of socially conventional painting and venturing into abstraction and surrealism.

Innovation often stems from failure as well. One of the most notable cases is that of Thomas Edison, whose countless failed experiments with the light bulb eventually led to its invention. The arts are no different.

| Embracing Failure as a Part of the Process

A critical part of experimentation is accepting that not every attempt will be successful. In fact, it’s essential to view failure as an opportunity for learning and growth. When we experiment, we may create pieces that aren't well-received or don't turn out as expected. Rather than being discouraged, these moments can serve as valuable learning experiences.

Vincent van Gogh once said, "What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?". Engaging in the creative process takes courage! Embracing failure in our art making can free us from limiting beliefs about whether or not we're 'creative enough' or have and good enough skills to make art. Failure is part of the cycle of innovation.

I rely on my sketchbook as a place to try new ideas, play with paint, and generally experiment freely. I see it as a creative journal where I can track my ideas, processes, and lessons learned. Using a sketchbook also gives me a sense of journeying through ideas as I turn the pages of the book retrospectively. It's often a useful visual reflection of the development of an idea. It's also cheaper than trying new ideas out on a shiny new canvas!

• Document your experiments in a sketchbook or journal;

• Reflect on your pages - can you see patterns forming or identify what's working?

• Have a go with new materials or processes on a small scale;

• Try painting a page a day for a week to give yourself some momentum.

  
  

| Finding Your Unique Artistic Voice

The more we experiment, the sooner we get to a place where our own artistic voice begins to show up consistently and this is perhaps the greatest reward for all those hours of play and experimentation! As we try new methods and techniques, embracing some and discarding others, we begin to see patterns emerge in what excites us and resonates with us. One of my favourite mantras is 'notice what you notice'. Giving ourselves permission to quieten our minds, slow down and give ourselves time and space to become really aware of our responses to what ever it is we're working on is essential. This is where the journey of self-discovery for an artist really begins.

To set you on the road to finding your unique voice, there are a few tips to try:

• Explore various mediums to help you find ones that enable you to express your ideas most fully, and find a way to make them work together if you find you love more than one!

• Incorporate personal stories into your experiments; your unique perspective on life and experiences you've had will ultimately shape your artistic voice. You may find symbolic elements rise to the fore and become a direction you can explore.

• Working with other artists, even just informally in the same space, can introduce you to new ideas and techniques that enhance your creative exploration.

• Experiment with different art forms to see which medium allows you to express your emotions best. You might find that clay, photography, or digital art speaks to you more than traditional painting or drawing.

  
  

  

| Tools and Techniques to Foster Experimentation

Incorporating experimentation into your artistic practice doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Though you may find yourself initially burdened by 'choice paralysis' which happens when we have too much choice and can't decide where to start! And the answer to that is to just start anywhere with anything - usually the things closest to hand!

Here are some practical tips to help you get started:

• Set aside dedicated time solely for experimenting with new ideas without any pressure to produce a finished piece. It could be an hour or so a week or more if you have time. I tend to keep my experimentation separate from current projects. So I'll finish a piece or a series and then spend some time experimenting before I begin the next body of work.

• Try creating a mood board with images, textures, and colors that inspire you. This can help spark new ideas and lead you down unexpected creative paths.

• Participate in online or community challenges that encourage artists to try something new each week. These can provide great prompts, deadlines and accountability, which can be motivating, even if you never share your pieces!

  
  

By making experimentation a regular part of your creative process, you'll gradually become more comfortable stepping outside your comfort zone and you'll be awakened to a steady flow of new ideas and ways of working.

| Embracing the Journey of Discovery

Experimentation in art is more than just trying new techniques—it's about engaging in a journey of discovery. As you navigate through various styles, materials, and ideas, you will uncover hidden aspects of your creativity and gain valuable insights about yourself as an artist.

Remember that the pathway of artistic growth is rarely linear. It's often filled with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. Embracing this journey allows you to expand your creative horizons and find new ways to express yourself.

You don't need to restrict yourself to working in a particular way or with specific materials for ever - allow yourself the freedom to let your preferences evolve as you go. I look back over my years of art making and I can see some threads of ideas that have stayed with me and others that have come and gone over that time. My working process has been continually evolving from pencil drawing to sculpture, paper making to collage, painting to printmaking and now mixed media work. And my subject matter started with illustrative botanical drawing and over the years has moved through different phases of landscape painting into abstraction and this has been possible because I found new ways of working, beyond watercolour and coloured pencil!

I don't think as artists we ever stand still with what we're doing, our ideas are constantly evolving as we respond to our ever-changing life experiences. So as you delve into your next project, consider how you can incorporate elements of creative exploration into your work. Challenge yourself to try something out of the ordinary and watch how it enriches your artistic journey.

| Final Thoughts on Artistic Growth

Artistic growth is not a destination but a continuous journey shaped by experimentation and exploration. By embracing failure, expressing your unique voice, and employing some practical strategies to encourage experimentation, you can foster an environment of growth and innovation in your artistic practice.

Remember that art isn't made for consumption, it's made for personal expression. Look for your personal truth in your creative practice and make your art, your way, for you.

So, take a leap of faith, try something new, and allow yourself to grow. Remember, the process is just as important as the final product, and who knows? The next experiment could be your greatest creation yet.

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