Over the last 11 months I’ve explored various topics, including why we paint, what inspires us, fear of failure and creativity in general. I’ve really enjoyed being able to discuss my thoughts and dive deeper into various topics. 

This month, i want to end 2024 with a topic on why it’s important to evolve as an artist, and step outside of your comfort zone even if it is a challenge. It’s sometimes about taking a deep breath, believing in yourself and taking a leap of faith.

As time goes on and we grow as an artist in terms of the skills we have, lessons learned and experience, our own growth and development keeps our own work fresh and interesting. If we didn’t grow, we would become stale and uninspired. I know personally, I have been inspired by so many artists and friends, but self-acceptance is a huge key in allowing yourself to evolve and grow. 

I always say when I paint, if it doesn’t go according to plan or vision or you need to start again, it’s not a negative thing. It’s a positive thing. We are learning and we are being exposed to situations to problem solve and think. Creativity shouldn’t have any boundaries, so whatever we do to progress, learn and evolve is always a great thing in my opinion. Having personal expression, whether that’s working on projects or themes, will navigate you to think about what and why you’re creative; this will provide you and your audience with the most authentic version of you which will become relatable or interesting to them. Sometimes it’s not just about the work you create, it’s also about you as a person and whether you can be real and relatable. We all have our favourite people in our life, people we can feel safe or comfortable with, and the same goes for the people you look up to, learn from and aspire to. 

As you grow and evolve it will provide new ideas for creativity, a new innovation or approach of how to overcome barriers and allowing yourself to have resilience to face personal and professional challenges; I think this is really key in ensuring your career as an artist has longevity. Grow with your audience and following, provide guidance with lessons learned and share what you learn if you want to and are able to. 

Evolving as an artist is essential when you grow with skills and knowledge, you can influence a culture and maintain something that not only you are passionate about, but inspire others to also take that leap to explore their own creativity. Evolution is all about growth, development and survival, and as artists we are good at that for sure because the industry can be rewarding but will also throw us our greatest challenges. 

If there are any specific topics you’d like me to discuss, please let me know! Thank you so much for all of your support in 2024 and it’s been a privilege to Blog for Smart Art Courses. More to come in 2025!

Check out Mark’s course on Smart Art Courses: Mindfully Creative: Art Techniques for the Mind, Body and Soul
www.smartartcourses/art-for-mindfulness 

Mark Ratcliffe from Mark J Ratcliffe Art: Abstract Artist & Creator; Certified Meditation Coach and
Wellbeing Practitioner.  Written in his own words @MarkJRatcliffeArt / markjratcliffeart@gmail.com