Hi-sent annemail-as I did mot get in at once. Love this Essay-we all need to be reminded of this from time to time-- its like climbing aladder or a mexican pyramid with uneven steps and platous!!! And little by little one is getting better at some things-then again one feel like an imposter- but so what -one has to touch ground sometimes-to be able to develope -yess!!!Have a nice weekend!!!!
I can not tell you how much I loved every word of this ! I have always drawn, my Dad drew, that’s what we did together, but plateaus have been reached over and over and I’ve never known how to over come them, they have frozen my confidence, crushed my exuberance. I’ve spent years in art school, that’s helped slightly, I’ve given art up for years and made myself very ill. At 47 I went to University to deal with this problem and spent 10 yrs getting off the plateau and as you say starting something else badly and it turns out I like it this new way better. My education wasn’t the issue, my skill level wasn’t, I’ve been looking at things from the wrong angle ! I gave up Uni , I’ve gone back to self enjoyment and play on my terms. Your post has been the major fog clearing, moving forwards, that I’ve looked for my whole life. THANK YOU , truly, utterly I read it and I danced. No one ever explained it better. X
Oh yeah, I love this. I know one artist, very successful, but her work has looked exactly the same for 40 years. Never anything new. I couldn’t do that. I love trying new things. Last week I did a beadwork class—it was equal parts fun and frustrating trying to get new techniques. What I noticed is that my hands would get it, but as soon as I thought about the process it was just—gone! Also interesting how different people’s minds work. One stitch was explained to me as a ladder, but I couldn’t get it until I visualized it as a figure 8.
You gave excellent science-based explanations for why we can get stuck in a rut. I appreciate your suggestions for how to grow our art by build new connections and pathways in our brains.
This was very insightful. I set a 2026 goal of seeing if I could learn to play piano at a reasonable beginner level in one year, practicing 30-45 minutes each day. So far, each month has only illustrated how much I DON’T know. But I keep in mind a sentence from one of your early books… what if you put the same effort into drawing that you put into learning to drive a car? So, thanks for reminding me that obstacles like plateaus (and clumsy fingers) are part of the growing process.
I loved your final words, “trust yourselves to grow!” That’s the problem, I don’t trust myself. You made me realize that fact after reading this week’s essay and you convinced me that I need to feed my monkey new things! Maybe he’ll grow and get off of my back! Thank again Danny for another thought provoking message!
I did this yesterday and your post serves as a confirmation to keep on going. I am naturally ambidextrous, but in the first grade at school, I was ordered - yes, ordered - to choose one hand and only use it. I chose my left hand. No more drawing or writing or coloring with the right hand. Of course, I still could do other things right-handed which was convenient since it was a right-hand dominant world. Yesterday, at the age of 70, I broke the pattern and drew a rose and petals with a ballpoint pen. I will do another right-handed drawing today without neglecting my good ole, faithful left hand.
Loved this week's blog, Danny. I am definitely hitting that wall and it hurts. That being said, my new favorite artist is Paul Wang (do check him out). His style is exactly the direction I want to go. He works very intuitively, both in his color choices, tools he uses, and drawing style. He encourages "play", and stepping out the box. I want to kick that box in the can!
I always like the suggestions you offer Danny, and I think most of us can agree, but because we really like to be challenged in life its in our DNA nature, we don't quit.
In my own creative journey from experiencing a flat look in my first attempts with oil painting, to trying pastels, acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, paint pens, and metallic, I have accomplished different and satisfying results, because it's simply me, and my artistic license.
If I'm not happy with some results I redo it, and learn how to improve it.
That is a good and beneficial result.
It encourages me that no matter what, art and creativity is a personal like, and I enjoy it, no matter what.
Other artists inspire me, and you Danny are one of them. Thank you.
Excellent!
Thank you!
Hi-sent annemail-as I did mot get in at once. Love this Essay-we all need to be reminded of this from time to time-- its like climbing aladder or a mexican pyramid with uneven steps and platous!!! And little by little one is getting better at some things-then again one feel like an imposter- but so what -one has to touch ground sometimes-to be able to develope -yess!!!Have a nice weekend!!!!
I can not tell you how much I loved every word of this ! I have always drawn, my Dad drew, that’s what we did together, but plateaus have been reached over and over and I’ve never known how to over come them, they have frozen my confidence, crushed my exuberance. I’ve spent years in art school, that’s helped slightly, I’ve given art up for years and made myself very ill. At 47 I went to University to deal with this problem and spent 10 yrs getting off the plateau and as you say starting something else badly and it turns out I like it this new way better. My education wasn’t the issue, my skill level wasn’t, I’ve been looking at things from the wrong angle ! I gave up Uni , I’ve gone back to self enjoyment and play on my terms. Your post has been the major fog clearing, moving forwards, that I’ve looked for my whole life. THANK YOU , truly, utterly I read it and I danced. No one ever explained it better. X
Phenomenal advice. Thanks Danny! I'll be bookmarking this one.
Oh yeah, I love this. I know one artist, very successful, but her work has looked exactly the same for 40 years. Never anything new. I couldn’t do that. I love trying new things. Last week I did a beadwork class—it was equal parts fun and frustrating trying to get new techniques. What I noticed is that my hands would get it, but as soon as I thought about the process it was just—gone! Also interesting how different people’s minds work. One stitch was explained to me as a ladder, but I couldn’t get it until I visualized it as a figure 8.
Hi Danny where did you get the image for your post?
You gave excellent science-based explanations for why we can get stuck in a rut. I appreciate your suggestions for how to grow our art by build new connections and pathways in our brains.
Thank you,
That was very helpful!
Please keep writing your essays!
This was very insightful. I set a 2026 goal of seeing if I could learn to play piano at a reasonable beginner level in one year, practicing 30-45 minutes each day. So far, each month has only illustrated how much I DON’T know. But I keep in mind a sentence from one of your early books… what if you put the same effort into drawing that you put into learning to drive a car? So, thanks for reminding me that obstacles like plateaus (and clumsy fingers) are part of the growing process.
I loved your final words, “trust yourselves to grow!” That’s the problem, I don’t trust myself. You made me realize that fact after reading this week’s essay and you convinced me that I need to feed my monkey new things! Maybe he’ll grow and get off of my back! Thank again Danny for another thought provoking message!
Thanks Danny. This works in all skills. The gym analogy was on spot.
I did this yesterday and your post serves as a confirmation to keep on going. I am naturally ambidextrous, but in the first grade at school, I was ordered - yes, ordered - to choose one hand and only use it. I chose my left hand. No more drawing or writing or coloring with the right hand. Of course, I still could do other things right-handed which was convenient since it was a right-hand dominant world. Yesterday, at the age of 70, I broke the pattern and drew a rose and petals with a ballpoint pen. I will do another right-handed drawing today without neglecting my good ole, faithful left hand.
Thank you for encouraging us.
Loved this week's blog, Danny. I am definitely hitting that wall and it hurts. That being said, my new favorite artist is Paul Wang (do check him out). His style is exactly the direction I want to go. He works very intuitively, both in his color choices, tools he uses, and drawing style. He encourages "play", and stepping out the box. I want to kick that box in the can!
I always like the suggestions you offer Danny, and I think most of us can agree, but because we really like to be challenged in life its in our DNA nature, we don't quit.
In my own creative journey from experiencing a flat look in my first attempts with oil painting, to trying pastels, acrylics, watercolors, colored pencils, paint pens, and metallic, I have accomplished different and satisfying results, because it's simply me, and my artistic license.
If I'm not happy with some results I redo it, and learn how to improve it.
That is a good and beneficial result.
It encourages me that no matter what, art and creativity is a personal like, and I enjoy it, no matter what.
Other artists inspire me, and you Danny are one of them. Thank you.
Lynn
You always inspire me. Thank you!