In many ways we are most free to be creative and original when we have little experience. Many unskilled artists feel a great intimidation by their lack of technical knowledge. However, what is lacked in technical ability is balanced by a fresh perspective about how things can be done. Often what is lacking from a beginner’s work is not skill but confidence. It is true that technical training will provide confidence, although, the more traditional training one receives the more their mind is clouded by the way people have done things before. Why do we even use paints, pencils, canvas, etc? At one point these were all novel inventions of someone’s creativity. Why don’t we innovate new materials to create images with? It seems that one downside of progress, i.e. an expansive and readily available consumer environment, has taken away the necessity for us to invent the tools of our craft. While store-bought materials save time and are in some cases are better formulated for permanence, they can disconnect us from the heart of what we make. Inventing materials and tools often require inventing technique to accompany them. This is one way we can maintain the openness of a beginner as we gain experience with the fundamentals of picture making. True art happens when the artist’s efforts result in a discovery. If you completely know what you are doing the odds are against you that the result will be art. When the artist is engaged in the true spirit of the practice they solve problems through experimentation and are surprised at the result of their efforts. Don’t be mistaken, experience is valuable. It provides a rich vocabulary one can use to say something profound. Our foremost goal however, should be to have the state of mind of a beginner; to possess the unchained openness and inventiveness of a child, free from the concept of the “wrong way”.
