The Artist's comfort zone - to go or not to go?

Ok, so I think we all pretty much know that if we are to grow, we need to step out of our comfort zone.  Think about a time in your life when something really difficult was going on, it was hard and it was uncomfortable but you got through it. Now when you look back, you can see how it changed you. GROWTH!

So, I'm all about growth - personally, professionally and spiritually.  As I said before, I want to make the most of what God has given me during my limited time here on earth. So, being organized and managing your time well is important. (see my last post on a good app to help with this: https://triciahampo.blogspot.com )

I made glass beads for about 12 years. I felt I had a good mastery of the medium and had exhausted my creative possibilities for it.  I tried various other creative mediums that might compliment my bead making, such as various types of jewelry making and metal smithing.  However,  nothing really clicked or sparked my desire to create and express myself.  So, I started to search which meant stepping out of my comfort zone.  I decided to try painting again after many, many years. But, what to paint?  I came across a wonderful book, called "Finding Divine Inspiration" by J. Scott McElroy: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Divine-Inspiration-Working-Creativity and it lead me to so many new places and adventures in my creative life!  It is absolutely one of my all time favorite books.  It is a book for any creative person, who desires to do God's will!  Doing God's will can also be a little uncomfortable, can't it?  That's where trust comes in.

So, stepping out of the comfort zone is not as uncomfortable when you know you've got God by your side the entire time.  So, just do it!  Take the step out and keeping doing it until something in you says, "that's it!"

Things I've learned stepping out of my artistic comfort zone;
1. It's easy to get discouraged or frustrated
2. It's easy to lose focus because your always thinking of the next thing your going to try
3. It takes time and persistence
4. It can sometimes be financially straining (after all you've got to have the right supplies to be successful)
5. It can be exciting, rewarding, transforming

"Trust and Transformation"
A step out my comfort zone - exploring Linocut

I left the best for last.  When it is exciting and rewarding, grasp onto that moment and run with it.  It will transform you!  That is the moment when you feel you've discovered your new latest and greatest love - whether it is the artistic medium, subject or technique.  Now it's time to slow down, take smaller steps out of your comfort zone but within this new zone you've discovered.  Time for focus, growth, mastery.
So to answer the question, "to go (out of your comfort zone) or not to go?"  I think stepping out of your comfort zone is always a good thing but make sure to take the time to enjoy the "zone" that you are in and see everything it has to offer.