When a new year starts, we find ourselves reflecting over previous years, with a view to having a list of goals or objectives, dreams, expectations etc for the year ahead. That is great, and I am a huge fan of a list as I like to tick off what I can achieve. But sometimes it’s the simplest of things that we miss or forget to acknowledge. 

Do we do that with our art too? I know I have some new techniques that I’d like to try and also dip into the world of mixed media. But what about just “letting go?”. Letting go of control to allow fate or just to see what happens. I’m going to do more of that with my fluid art experiments this coming year. 

There is an element of fluid art that we can’t control – we just have to let go of control and see what happens to the paint at that moment in time. Sure, we can control the palette we choose, and the technique that we adopt for a pour. But the outcome and end result is purely in that moment. We cannot predict the exact result (and that’s one element that I love about fluid art; the excitement and surprise of where it may lead). 

Have you ever stepped back to think about whether you are comfortable with letting go of control. Maybe you pick one of the most controlled pours (if there is one) or maybe you are totally at ease of “seeing what happens”. Let me ask you this… How do you feel when you pour, tilt and watch the paint move? Is there a feeling of discomfort of releasing control, does it tigger an element of anxiety, over thinking or maybe you are a perfectionist that only wants to paint a certain way, and if it doesn’t turn out how you predicted, you think it’s a failure? What about this concept… The painting doesn’t fail – it evolves when it changes direction or has a different outcome than expected. 

Maybe letting go – every now and then – will help you to evolve not only as a person but also as an artist. See a failure as a sign that you’re evolving and learning so much from the process itself rather that only celebrating the outcome especially if that painting “looks nice”. The most disappointing final outcome of a painting could be filled with so many opportunities; lessons to be learned, a new paint reaction for you to dive deeper into when experimenting, acceptance that having control all of the time limits your growth and room to breathe and evolve as an artist. 

As we start this new year, lets promise ourselves that when we are creating, we will allow ourselves to let go more often; explore your discomfort in releasing control and embracing it, and don’t over think – allow yourself to enjoy the process rather that just the end result. The key insight here I’d like to share is we can only evolve when we allow the painting to change direction; only then, we can authentically say we are letting go. 

Happy New Year everyone – wishing you so much good health, happiness and of course creativity. Let’s see what we can create. 

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