Cultivating Guaranteed Growth as an Artist
When I see my earth pigments gathered, I reflect on eco-systems. This interaction of organisms and their physical environment creates a thriving biological community. Whether inanimate or animate, all pieces play an important role in contributing to individual support and the success of the ecosystem as a whole. These thoughts are tangled deeply from just keeping my materials close in my studio. But it’s these moments of reflection that can have the biggest and most profound impact on my creative practice.
Cultivating Guaranteed Growth as an Artist
Before last year, I was hesitant to join any sort of community. I didn’t know how to open my studio to groups of strangers and I didn’t know how to measure the value of this type of investment. For years, I let limiting beliefs hinder me from true and honest growth.
With a little nudge from my heart, I convinced my mind to take the small leap and join a creative community. Almost instantly, the small community I joined influenced my creative business and my life in the most positive ways. A community offered me a place to ask questions when I experience a hurdle I cannot overcome alone, understand how I think through problem-solving, hone in on offering advice and guidance, and find expertise in my craft. Most importantly, I experienced reciprocity in real life.
I wish I had joined a community much sooner in my artistic career. Leaving the camaraderie of art school, I was faced with silence for aloneness for nearly 5-years. And while it’s great to have family and friends that support my work, there are so many parts that I needed real and honest feedback.
Beginner, intermediate, or expert, I encourage you to find or build some sort of community where you can springboard towards growth and grounding. Below are three safeguards you can take to finding a community best fit for you.
How to Find The Right Community
1. Find the right fit.
The community you join should be the best fit for you. There are a few questions you can ask yourself--the answer is dependent on what type of environments you thrive in.
What type of topics does the group focus on? For example, if you are joining a creative community is it more focused on business or the creative process? Then assess which area you are looking for long-term support in.
How many people are involved in the community? Is it a small and intimate group or is it a larger more diverse group?
Is the community virtual or are there opportunities to be in person?
Who is leading the community? What is their mentoring style like? How often are they present?
2. Overcome the limitations of time.
One of the biggest hesitations I hear from people about joining a community is their lack of time. Community is not meant to restrict your time but instead establish a meaningful support system. Support systems do not need their blocks of time throughout the day.
3. find the courage to lean in.
Community is always what you make it, and I often stick with the rule of thumb to give more than I receive. When you find the courage to lean into a community, offer support where you can, and not hold back knowledge you will experience a fuller and rewarding experience. It seems counterintuitive, but when you can add diversity to a conversation one thought may encourage new thoughts and the domino effect takes place. I’ve seen incredible and extremely beautiful things take place.
Community is the best thing I have ever invested in—not just for my creativity but I have seen positive effects on my mental health and wellbeing. I feel like I have a group of people rooting for every step of the way and nothing can beat that.
If you are interested in experiencing community I host a hashtag community called #ageologyofcolor. I invite you to join, share images of your pigment journey, and meet other pigment workers. If you are looking to dig a bit deeper, I also host a creative membership called the Pigment Cooperative.
