“I have become one with life’s elements. They can no longer harm me.” ~ Surayya Walters
This quote, reflecting resilience and growth through life’s challenges, resonates deeply with the journey of learning art. Just as life presents seasons of rain, snow, drought, and overflow, the path to artistic mastery is rarely linear. You might find yourself drawn to different mediums, styles, or techniques, feeling like you’re “bouncing around” without a clear direction. But is this approach truly detrimental to your progress, or could it be an essential part of the creative process?
Many embark on their artistic endeavors with a specific vision in mind – perhaps mastering watercolor landscapes or sculpting intricate figures. However, the reality of learning art often involves unexpected turns, moments of self-doubt, and the temptation to switch paths when faced with difficulty. You might start with painting, then become intrigued by pottery, only to find yourself captivated by digital illustration a few weeks later. This “bouncing around” can feel unsettling, raising questions about focus and commitment. Are you diluting your efforts by not sticking to one discipline? Are you failing to build a solid foundation by constantly changing direction?
As the old saying goes, “Success is a terrible teacher.”
This old adage holds significant weight in the context of art education. Sticking rigidly to a single path, especially if it’s not yielding the desired results or passion, can stifle growth. Just like an early-stage founder navigating the unpredictable business world, an aspiring artist must be open to pivoting, adapting, and learning from perceived “failures.” Imagine confining yourself to only charcoal drawing when your true passion and talent lie in vibrant acrylics. Or forcing yourself to learn classical realism when your creative spirit yearns for abstract expressionism. Sometimes, the most significant artistic breakthroughs come from exploring different avenues and embracing the “bounce.”
Knowing When – and How – To “Bounce” in Art
As an art learner, one of the most challenging things is knowing something isn’t clicking or feels off with your chosen path but not tangibly identifying what is wrong.
“Bouncing around” in art isn’t about aimlessly flitting from one thing to another. It’s about strategic exploration driven by a desire to discover your true artistic voice and the most effective learning methods for you. It’s akin to pivoting in business – recognizing that your initial approach might not be optimal and making necessary adjustments. As an art learner, one of the most challenging things is knowing something isn’t clicking or feels off with your chosen path but not tangibly identifying what is wrong. You might sense a lack of progress, a diminishing passion, or a feeling of being creatively stifled. Correcting your course without feeling like you’re giving up or failing is crucial.
Think of Jeff Bezos’s advice: “stubborn with the vision, but flexible with the details.” In art, your vision might be to become a skilled and fulfilled artist. This overarching vision remains constant. However, the details of how you achieve this – the specific mediums, techniques, and learning styles – are flexible and should adapt to your evolving needs and discoveries. You might initially envision yourself as a traditional oil painter, but through exploration, you might discover a greater affinity for digital art or mixed media. This isn’t a failure of your initial vision; it’s a refinement of your path based on practical experience and deeper self-awareness. Pivoting, or “bouncing,” is not only acceptable but often smart in art. The artists who explore and adapt are the ones who truly learn and evolve.
We can adapt the entrepreneurial pivot matrix to understand different approaches to “bouncing” in art. Consider two dimensions: your artistic focus (the type of art you are drawn to or aiming to create) and your mode of execution (the techniques, mediums, and learning methods you employ).
Copyright: Surayya Walters
You “broaden the scope” when you have the suitable learning methods but the wrong artistic focus. Perhaps you are diligently practicing fundamental drawing techniques, but you feel creatively unfulfilled drawing still life. This is where you need to “zoom out” and explore broader artistic horizons. Have you considered different genres like portraiture, abstract art, or illustration? Have you explored different art movements or historical periods? Broadening your scope might involve immersing yourself in art history, visiting galleries, and experimenting with various artistic styles to discover where your true passion lies. It’s about going beyond the immediate technique and understanding the deeper artistic landscape.
You “reverse the concept” when you have the wrong learning methods and artistic focus. This is a more significant shift, requiring a complete rethinking of your approach. Imagine you started learning watercolor landscape painting using traditional, detailed methods, but you’re becoming frustrated and losing interest. Reversing the concept might involve questioning both the subject matter (landscape) and the method (detailed watercolor). Perhaps you’d find more joy in abstract watercolor or in exploring a completely different medium like digital painting with a focus on character design. This involves a more radical rethinking of your artistic direction and learning strategy.
Lastly, you must “become experimental” when you realize you have the proper artistic focus but the wrong learning methods. For example, you know you want to create vibrant, expressive portraits, but your current learning approach (e.g., solely relying on online tutorials) isn’t yielding the desired results. This is where experimentation is key. Try different learning methods: attend in-person workshops, join an art community, study under a specific artist, or explore different materials and tools. Perhaps switching from graphite to charcoal, or from brushes to palette knives, will unlock new creative avenues. Commit to testing various techniques and learning environments to discover what resonates best with your artistic focus.
Managing The “Rejection” of Creative Blocks and Setbacks
The most prolific innovators and thinkers of our time were once misunderstood. In art, this translates to trusting your unique artistic voice even when facing criticism or creative blocks.
It hurts to face creative rejection but it is part of the artistic journey.
“Rejection” in art can manifest in various forms: criticism from instructors or peers, not getting accepted into art shows, or simply feeling that your work isn’t “good enough.” It hurts to hear “no,” whether it’s external criticism or your own inner critic. However, just as rejection is a part of the entrepreneurial journey, it’s also an inevitable aspect of learning art. Understand that these setbacks don’t invalidate your artistic vision or potential. The most prolific innovators and thinkers of our time were once misunderstood. In art, this translates to trusting your unique artistic voice even when facing criticism or creative blocks.
When facing creative rejection, ask yourself some hard questions. Why are you feeling discouraged? Is the criticism constructive and pointing to areas for improvement? Are you comparing yourself to artists who are much further along in their journey? Are you being too self-critical and setting unrealistic expectations? Perhaps you’re focusing on the wrong aspects of your art or using learning resources that aren’t the right fit for your style. Analyze the source of your discouragement and determine if a pivot in your approach or learning method is needed. However, it’s vital to stay connected to your underlying passion for art and not let temporary setbacks derail your long-term vision.
Navigating The “Failure” of Unsatisfactory Art and Creative Stagnation
If you approach learning art with an understanding that the only failure is a failure to stop creating and learning, you will be okay.
Creative failure is an ugly yet necessary part of the journey to artistic greatness.
“Failure” in art is often perceived as producing unsatisfactory artwork or experiencing creative stagnation. However, in the realm of artistic learning, there are no real failures, only learning opportunities. You embarked on this artistic journey not to achieve perfect results immediately, but to explore, create, and grow. There will be pieces you’re not proud of, techniques that don’t work out, and periods where your creativity seems to dry up. Your initial artistic experiments might feel like “failures,” but these are invaluable steps in your development. Failure in art, in the truest sense, is a myth. If you approach learning art with an understanding that the only failure is a failure to stop creating and learning, you will be okay.
Many renowned artists have faced periods of creative struggle and produced work they later deemed unsatisfactory. The key is to view these experiences as opportunities for growth and adaptation. The question is: do you want to persist through these perceived failures? Your artistic journey only ends when you stop creating and learning. There’s nothing wrong with setting aside a particular artwork or technique that isn’t working. In fact, sometimes, letting go of a specific approach allows space for new ideas and directions to emerge. What’s truly detrimental is abandoning your artistic aspirations altogether because of temporary setbacks.
Tips For Processing and Moving Past Creative “Failures”
Allow creative setbacks to make you more versatile, adaptable, and resilient. Allow them to introduce you to techniques, styles, and strengths you never even thought you had within you.
The first step when you encounter a creative “failure” or a period of stagnation is to take a break. Sometimes, you need to step away from your art to gain perspective and recharge your creative batteries. Research suggests that procrastination can increase creativity because it allows for subconscious processing and the incubation of new ideas. During this break, engage in activities that inspire you and have nothing to do with art directly.
Once you’ve taken a break, start reflecting on your artistic journey. Think about what you’ve learned, where you feel stuck, and what new directions you might explore. Journal your thoughts and insights. Be self-compassionate during this phase; creative learning should be a fulfilling process, not a source of stress. Relax, breathe, and nurture your creative spirit. Seek inspiration from diverse sources, get some rest, and rekindle your passion.
After you have that “aha!” moment or a renewed sense of direction, gradually ease back into your art practice. Or, if you’re eager to dive back in, embrace that energy. You might find yourself with a sketchbook full of new ideas, techniques, and perspectives gained during this period of reflection. Don’t let perceived failures be the end of your artistic story. Keep going, knowing you are stronger and more resourceful because you’ve navigated creative challenges. Allow creative setbacks to make you more versatile, adaptable, and resilient. Allow them to introduce you to techniques, styles, and strengths you never even thought you had within you.
That’s the transformative power of creative challenges; they can lead to a powerful rebirth and reinvention of your artistic approach, leading you to discover unexpected strengths and directions. Just as post-traumatic growth can occur after life stressors, post-failure growth is possible in art. Creative challenges, including perceived failures, are inevitable. However, we can choose to learn and grow from these experiences, constantly evolving as artists.
Share Your Artistic Experiences
What experiences have you had with “bouncing around” different art forms, facing creative rejection, or navigating artistic “failures”? What did these experiences teach you? How did you emerge stronger and more creatively fulfilled? Share your insights in the comments below.
Connect With Surayya
To explore more insights on creativity, resilience, and personal growth, visit
She is active on social media platforms (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) as @surayyaverse.
For more in-depth reflections on creativity and culture, explore Surayya’s newsletter on Substack: https://surayyawalters.substack.com/
