My wish for all of us this Christmas is for Peace and Love.

Christmas time is such a busy time, so stressful. We do so many things not so much because we want to but because we feel we have to. I myself would wish for a simpler kind of Christmas, but in this day and age, that may not be possible any more.

So for this Christmas and for the year ahead, please enjoy the little things in life, slow down and take the time to relax, make more time for the things you enjoy and try to reduce those things that you do because you have to.

PEACE AND LOVE.

Suzette

I wonder sometimes why it is that some artists like to try different things, new techniques, new subjects, new media, new styles, while others stick to what they do practically forever. I am of the ’try different things’ group.

Those artists who stick to what they know and what they do have one advantage, they get to refine their skills and improve their work and they have a chance at becoming very accomplished.

Those of us who keep trying different things possibly lack that advantage and even though we do keep learning and improving (I hope), we don’t necessarily develop the same mastery if we keep trying new media, techniques and subject matter. Or do we?

The other side of this coin is this, is there a chance that doing the same kind of work all the time may eventually result in a lack of inspiration and a lack of excitement about one’s work. Where is the fun? Where’s is the exploration, the experimentation?

On the other hand, those who keep trying new things have lots to play with; we keep learning new things and learn to be flexible and adaptable. We have fun and maintain the excitement and enjoy the pleasure of discovery and re-invention.

I think for some, their enjoyment comes from consistency and persistence. For others, it’s the opposite, their enjoyment comes from exploration and discovery. And perhaps we all need to step out of our comfort zone once in a while in order to stretch and challenge ourselves, whether that means being more consistent, or being more playful.

As in all things in life, I think what is needed is balance. I think we all need some consistency in what we do in order to learn and improve, and become proficient. However, I believe we all need to play once in a while. We need to let our creativity run wild for a while, if only as a change of pace. Who knows what new exciting discovery we will make when we allow ourselves the freedom to play? And when we’re done playing, we then go back to our regular work refreshed and re-energized.

Suzette

"Creativity takes courage." (Henri Matisse)