When we paint or we want to explore our creativity even more and expand on our own knowledge and skills what is the one thing that really stops you from doing that? Just going ahead and trying something new! I’ve been thinking about this and I believe that the fear of failure is instilled in all of us; but it’s overcoming that fear that allows us to evolve and grow as artists. In fact, it allows us to grow and evolve as human beings and it can affect other parts of our life too.

One of the main barriers that we experience as artists is self-doubt and failure. When you look back at the creative path you have taken, the process of failure isn’t always a bad thing. I always say in my tutorials, when I’m creating and exploring different pouring techniques, that failing isn’t always a bad thing. I don’t actually like the word “failure”.  When we think about life, in terms of our own creativity as an artist, we only really learn when we make mistakes.  How many times have you made a mistake and really learned from it? I know I have! When we feel we’ve made a mistake we can feel really emotional. It might feel that we’ve let ourselves down and we haven’t done the best that we can but when you stop and reflect about that mistake (shall we call them happy mistakes?) we learn so much.  

I think it’s really essential that we adapt and change our mindset to help us overcome the fear of failure.  When you try a new or different technique; do you expect it will be perfect the first time? In fact, it’s that expectation of perfection that can also be a barrier. If we let go of wanting to have perfection, then that will also help us manage our fear of failure.  When we make happy mistakes, think about the components of that mistake and what we can learn from it – for example, a pouring technique gone wrong… we might learn more about layering, the consistency test, the colors that work well together, density… we can really take on board and turn any negative thoughts into positive learning experiences. I know I have stumbled upon a new technique or color by thinking I had made a mistake, but really, I was just opening up other possibilities.  Changing your mindset like that can really help with creative block, and fear of failure, to assist with those creative ideas flowing. Next time you experience that fear of failure, just remember…  You’ve gone out and tried something new, stepped out of your comfort zone, learned something new. You’re trying to grow and evolve as an artist and yes you may have made a mistake but that fear of failure you’re overcoming because you’re going for it, you’re not allowing it to hold you back. You’re trying something new and you’re learning. The only time we fail at anything (in life) is when we give up and we don’t try. And sometimes even then if we decide to walk away from something we do that for the good of our own wellbeing. I’ve experienced failure in terms of my painting process, over and over again, but it’s those mistakes that I know help me learn more, refine techniques, develop my knowledge and develop my skills; that’s what makes me, Me. So next time you have that fear of failure, just think, what can I learn this time that will make the process or the painting even better. 

As artists we often have that self-doubt, whether that’s about our confidence, skill or something else but when that fear of failure or self-doubt creeps in remember – You are Good Enough, You are Relevant and You Matter. Embrace the potential of making mistakes as a learning experience and that will really help you with mindset and the fear of failure as a barrier to you being the artist that you want to become. 

If there is a topic you would like me to discuss or explore in my Monthly Blog, please drop me a message at the email address below. 

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