Stop Finishing Your Art
I got up this morning, as I often do, and sat on the couch with a cup of coffee. This is my time for my morning spiritual practice. I read something reflective, sit quietly, and notice the light and sounds of the room. And yet, my mind continually seeks projects.
I can do this. I can do that.
It's a deeply ingrained process, this creating of a to-do list first thing in the morning, in the middle of the day, and even at night. It's exhausting. In a way, even writing this brief article became a project for my self-seeking mind. In Buddhist thought, the self-seeking mind can describe the part of our consciousness that continually searches for something to acquire, achieve, control, or become. It's closely related to attachment, craving, and identification with the ego.
Many people say that our minds are looking for validation, and that only through achievement or finishing a project do we get that little dopamine rush of accomplishment.
But today, I want to ask you to do something different. I love a phrase coined by artist and author Michelle Cassou. She calls it "Avoid the Dragon of Productivity."
What is the dragon of productivity? It's that constant desire within us to finish something, to make it complete, to be productive.
This is a particularly strong belief system here in America. We've all been taught, in one way or another, that we are only valuable if we produce something. But what Michelle asks us to do is let go of that expectation of finishing. Instead, she encourages us to explore the creative process in a state of presence.
Below is a link to a video tutorial on Abstract Watercolor Doodles. I encourage you to try it. It's a wonderful process, but only if you slow down and take your time with it.
When you doodle, it's not about finishing. It's about exploring the mark. How does the permanent marker bleed out onto your paper? How does it look when you fill something in? What happens when you make a circle or a hash mark?
It's about exploring the interaction of the marker with the paper extensively before you even apply watercolor paint.
So, if you take the time to watch my video below and learn the process, but also take your time with the doodling. Let yourself explore what a mark can do on paper. A thin line, a thick line, a circle, a scribble. It's as simple as that.
You could entertain yourself for years with this!
Avoid the dragon of productivity.
If this feels uncomfortable for you, a good practice is to set a timer. Give yourself 30 to 45 minutes, and don't allow yourself to move on to the watercolor stage until you've spent that time simply exploring.
Sit in silence or play your favorite music. But as you work, reflect on why you're doing what you're doing. Notice that urge to move ahead, to finish, to make something happen. And perhaps, just for a little while, let it go.
Now, after writing this little chat, I need to do the same thing myself. I need to sit and feel the cool morning breeze of a fall day, notice the cardinals outside, and reflect on the silence of a chilly morning.
But most importantly, I don't have to do anything.
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