In January, I suddenly realised that I couldn't remember the last time I had tried a new creative skill or activity. Experimenting with new materials and techniques was something I used to do all the time, so when and why did I stop?
My Helen Russell Creations brand has always naturally evolved alongside changes within myself and the wider world. It's one of things that has kept me engaged and invested in my creative business for such a long time. As someone who loves learning new things (I tend to operate in 3 year work cycles) experimentation, changes in direction and variations on style have been essential for holding my interest, and keeping my love for what I do alive.
I realised in January that circumstances beyond my control (lets call it external noise) had derailed my usual work/play patterns, and that without realising it I'd fallen into a bit of a groundhog day trap. Gone were the experiments, the joy of exploring art/craft shops, and the forays into new materials! It's hard to maintain a sense of play in your work when you are struggling to keep your head above water (insert your own battle/s here - financial, emotional, health etc) and due to my personal circumstances I had found myself a little bit bogged down.
It was as I was pondering the situation, that my husband came home and told me about a stained glass workshop that was running at the newly opened Rochdale Town Hall. (How does the universe always seem to present an answer when you give yourself time to see and hear what's around you? A blog post for another day maybe!) I'd always loved the stained glass in the town hall, and although fascinated with the art knew very little about it's actual execution. A plan was hatched, and I found myself booked onto the June course.
The courses at the town hall are run by artist and stained glass conservator Veronica Smith They take place over two days, are limited to 3 people per course and are totally fantastic! I am the most impatient person in the world, and stained glass is a technique that requires a lot of patience, perseverance and precision. Luckily Veronica is a great, fun teacher who has all the patience I don't! By the end of the two days I had a completed panel that I am really proud of. More importantly for me, Veronica had helped reignite my passion for learning and experimentation.
I am never going to be a stained glass artist, it is way too time intensive for my personality, but I am hoping to return to the town hall when Veronica launches her second enamelling workshop. It felt great to be totally invested and focused on a short term project, especially on something that I knew I didn't need to try and monetise, and I think everyone on the course experienced that hit of dopamine that comes with participating in something new. Trying new things is scientifically proven to improve flexible thinking, which as a creative has got to be up there in terms of essential skills!
So, next time you are feeling in a bit of a rut, are bored with your current practice or are struggling to settle your mind, why not experiment with something new? It doesn't have to be expensive. It could be as simple as taking a short walk and gathering natural materials for mark making, or filling a squeezy bottle with water and 'painting' with it outside. Get that sense of play fired up, it's probably one of your most important habits!