Life Lessons

Fill the time. Learn something new and revisit things you know.

Life Lessons

Thanks to COVID, there is suddenly an abundance of free time! Since COVID is the lemon, I looked for the lemonade. Looking forward to months of free time, I chose to explore an old hobby and began painting. I rediscovered something that is fun and brought clarity to some life lessons.

The link between any activity and the life lessons we all learn is amazing. The opportunity to expand life lessons and relearn forgotten lessons while engaging in developing a craft was a welcome one. Here are some lessons I relearned and please add your own!

Lesson: Everyone is different!

Art is subjective. Everyone has their own style and sees things differently. How we see things is a direct result of the experiences we have had. While no one is good at everything, “good” is an opinion. The art itself is what it is, is subjective, individual and unique. The experiences and influences we have had are expressed in different ways. Like life, everyone has their own style, their own perspective and is different. Embrace your own style and allow others their own uniqueness.

Lesson: Care for yourself to succeed.

It is impossible to create if you are tired, mad, hungry, hung over or sick. Paintings just don’t flow. Corresponding life lesson is to take care of your mental and physical health. Being “off your game” because you are abusing your health will ultimately affect your creativity, productivity and everything else in your life.

Lesson: Never stop learning.

The moment you stop learning new techniques, you stop improving. Make a mistake, then learn from it. Often in life and in art, a mistake moves you in a new and perhaps, better direction. An openness to learn is using every moment to move yourself forward. Be patient with yourself. Every small step toward your personal improvement is a step closer to where you personally want to go.

If you stop trying, that is when you have failed. In trying you are accomplishing something. With no effort to try and learn, there is no stretching, Patience and forward motion leads to an open ended experience.

Lesson: There is no black and white.

Nothing is ever black and white. In painting, your subject may seem black and white, but that is unrealistic. I tried that approach, but the subject was flat! Adding gray, shadows, dirt, grass stains or color creates a richer picture. Life is never right or wrong, black or white. Like art, truth is subjective. Circumstances and experiences affect perspective. Recognize your own truth and respect the truth of others.

Lesson: Be mindful in the moment.

Consider your painting when it is in progress. Like life a little distance can improve the finished product. Yes, notice the details. Love them. They enrich the finished product. Stepping back can bring two benefits. See that what at first glance looks perfect, may actually have a flaw. In seeing the big picture, you may also see things that are done well. Learn from this perspective. The things that are done well are strengths. Repeat them. Honestly see mistakes. They represent your weaknesses. Go there. Learn to deal with them. Neutralize them or work to make them a positive.

Every whole is made up of parts. With perspective you can enjoy the big picture. Take time. Apply perspective. Don’t be in a hurry. Look. Wait. Notice the details, learn.

Lesson: Know when to pull the plug.

Painting has many lessons. It teaches you to notice the details. Have patience. See the big picture. Celebrate your strengths and learn from your weaknesses. Nothing is all good or all bad. Appreciate constant learning and improvement. Try. Use the right tools, take care of yourself. Appreciate the process.

But what happens when mistakes just can’t be fixed. Conflicting colors and inappropriate perspectives are not helping the finished product or the process to move forward. “Overworking” is an art term for a failed attempt to achieve a successful project. A painter would be better off scraping the painting, learning from mistakes and starting over.

Art is subjective. It is representational. If you want an exact image, take a photograph and turn off Photoshop.

In life, if you want a fairy tale, read a novel or see a movie.

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Your lessons? I want to learn them. Please share. Send email to karenmac1999@hotmail.com.