I love learning. I love going to the downtown library here in Houston because there is so much knowledge in the shelves. I am always amazed that they let me take as many books as I like. And then there is the Internet. Have a question? Type it in and boom, the answer appears. I am in awe that so much knowledge is available for a willing learner.
Having said all the above about learning, I would also like to make a case for unlearning. Let me explain. With all the knowledge out there it is so easy to become a know-it-all.
It is easy to become rigidly set in ways and ideas that may have moved past their worthiness or validly.
I believe that a creative person challenges the status quo. A creative person will question what she knows as true and move past what she may have been taught. If you can do that you open yourself up to the mystery and wonder of the muse.
You become a new beginner and you become teachable.
Energizer Break:
Set aside some time to question something. It doesn’t have to be the meaning of life. Questioning why you do something the way you always do can give wings to a new method that could make your art soar. How would your art benefit if you unlearned a bad habit or an old fear? Unlearn something today.