creative sunday:: doing stuff that scares you

fence, nikon d50 digital

It seems fitting on this last post on this blog (more on that later), that I was able to conquer two of my big creative fears.

The first is attempting to texturize photos using layers in photoshop-like I did in the photo above.

A friend of mine told me how to do this a long time ago but...well...it wasn't something I'd done before and because I couldn't picture how to do it in my head, it felt overwhelming.

My opinion on taking risks in art may be different than mosts. If I am overwhelmed to the point that I don't know where to start, trying to force myself to do it or just 'push through the fear' will just drive me away from it.

I get comfortable with smaller steps first. I DO something, even if it's not the project that scares me. In the doing of smaller steps, I gain confidence to try the more intimidating projects

In the example of the photo above, I got really familiar with the more basic editing options first. I got to the point where adjusting exposure and contrast, adding a border, etc became second nature.

And second nature means comfortable enough to get curious about next steps. And now that I have a confidence level in previous steps and a curiosity about next steps, I find myself motivated to work on those layers until I get it.

And so it is for art as well.


starting, nikon d50 digital

I've attempted mixed media before. Some forms I feel more comfortable with than others. Every time I've attempted a piece like this before, I haven't liked the results.

So, like with the photos, I kept getting comfortable with other mediums and techniques. I still think I have many more improvements to make with this method but I did it. I completely a piece that looked okay to me and that is a huge step.


stop and smell the flowers along the way, mixed media on paper

Look, I don't know if this method will work for anyone else but I would encourage anyone that wants to attempt a new art medium and is scared to try, don't beat yourself up. See if there is another form that doesn't scare you as much and get comfortable with it. You might find yourself motivated to step into new territory from there.

Which brings up one more point...impatience. It's getting to the comfortable part that I can get hung up on because I am impatient to get to the next step.

My minister said something about impatience last weekend that so totally hit home with me. She said that impatience is totally a fear based emotion. It says I'm afraid I won't get something I want or that I'll lose something I have.

yeah, wow.

That helps, ya know, when I start feeling the impatience now. I hear her voice in my head and take a breath and try to look at what the fear is. If anything, I at least pause for a moment before making an impulsive decision or start down the same negative thought pattern.

And that, my friends, is my last post as dandelion seeds.

This blog has been good to me and it will stay up in honor of the last three years of my journey.

But my journey has entered a new phase with this joy rebel thing and I would like to honor that with a new blog home.

So please join me over in my new home: brandi reynolds

That's me. No titles, just me.

The joy rebel-ness continues over there, starting with posting the second mission tomorrow.

There are also badges you can copy and link to this post.

See ya over there!!!!