I've been speaking recently with other artists about how we recognise when we need to improve, or how we know when we're stuck in a sort of numb comfort of our work. It's so difficult to assess our incompetence or the vibrancy of our own work, the illusive and non-existent objectivity of our work.

Within that, there are some parameters I use to scrutinise my own work and can be useful if you're wanting to deepen in really any area of applying complex skills. 

The true pleasure of life for me is being in the vibrant heart of learning and challenge within my passions. I don't want to create easy and pleasant work, I want my work to ask something of me, really ask something of me, that's where Beauty always lives, not in what's easy, automated and without effort. 

If effort is a given, the question then lies in what kind of effort and applied how and in what aspect of my life and skills.

I assess my work within these frameworks but you could apply this filter to anything and find a place to improve or seek coaching or the improving of skills.

Luck vs Skill (Annie Duke)

Skill (technique, tradition, manual repetition) + Soul/Spirit (emotional expression, creative improvisation, energy, personal courage within using the technique)

Freedom and constraint for artists, the paradox of limiting our options to make our work better, which requires discipline in the time of the tyranny of choice and seemingly unending possibility. 

I hope this is helpful in your practice and learning any complex skillset.

With love, 

Loren

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