Rambles on Learning
Every profession has training, continuing education classes, and things of the like. As a younger woman I thought I knew everything I needed to know about the practice of painting. Of course I was incorrect in my assumption. Now, it is difficult for me to picture my life without being in some sort of class where I get to dedicate some time to perfecting my craft.
Currently, I attend a life drawing class. I am learning more about how to depict the human form, along with anatomy and physiology, but one of the biggest takeaways has been understanding how my craft and life intersect.
See, early on I noticed that I would have good drawing days and bad drawing days. First, I chalked it up to chance. However, today I came to the realization that stress from my personal life affects whether or not I am able to go into a meditative creative state. Jay-Z said in an interview once that he is able to get great ideas by "pulling from the ether". So from a psychological standpoint, maybe our best work comes from our subconscious mind rather than the cluttered and congested conscious mind.
I find that continued training not only improves discipline, but it also allows for little moments of learning about yourself. And there is no greater task than that:)