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Intro

Notes;

Episodes 64 and 65 in March—all about change and its benefits.

Let’s start with the idea of self-imposed limitations—aspects of comfort zone that can be very helpful / strengthen our work. Focus, developing ideas, going deep. Such as:

limiting yourself to certain approaches in the studio:

(As opposed to limitations coming from outside ourselves such as limits on our studio time, finances, or physical limitations.)

We do need to question is they are simply default, fall-back answers? The downside of comfort zone—

None of these inherently negative but worth looking at more closely—is it what you really want? Re-listen to the Change podcasts for advice if you feel bored or stuck/you know you are in a rut.

IF your boundaries seem reasonable and intentional to you, change for change’s sake is probably not going to be helpful. You also don't want to set aside valuable skills you've developed.

The term comfort zone—in the art world it’s generally used to designate something we should avoid. Has negative connotations. Not moving forward or being innovative.

However Wikipedia defines it as:

Looking at comfort zone without judgement, these are some characteristics:

The key is how you are felling:

Positive comfort zone may be more beneficial once you are a fairly developed artist; don't settle for a comfort zone too early

Negative comfort zone –you cling to the idea that things are OK because change is scary—self-reflection—the need to be very honest with self

You can start to completely identify your own work only as one thing, one approach, media, material. You can pigeonhole yourself and others will too. Wouldn’t you rather have the self-image as someone who keeps growing and branching out over time?

Always stay sensitive to when something has run its course

Others may see this before you do because we can be blinded by our need for safety

Can be very hard to get out of this zone; observations as instructor; artists esp. successful ones can become very invested in a particular thing they do; but there may be an underlying dissatisfaction.

Another negative comfort zone is a little different—it’s not doing the same thing all the time but always doing different things. Never committing. This is comfortable because you can always just skim the surface. Always say, “just playing.” Has the illusion of being daring or taking on challenge but lacks depth of true exploration. Topic for another podcast.

IF you’re in a positive comfort zone change for change’s sake is not helpful. Resist well-meaning advice to “leave your comfort zone” just because it is considered a good thing.

Twyla Tharpe discusses this in terms of “ruts and grooves” in her book, The Creative Habit.

With a groove you are moving forward in a smooth and productive way.

allow your boundaries to be a little porous. Once in while put them aside and venture somewhere else.

It can be fun and energizing to leave a positive comfort zone for a bit—try a different medium, new techniques. Cross-pollination.

Personal example of mine in current work: source ideas are shifting.

A comfort zone can be your mastery of the medium.

To wrap up—our comfort zones have very positive aspects—can keep us on track, deepen our work, provide focus and productivity. Just make sure they are conscious decisions rather than something you have fallen into and never questioned. And also allow your own boundaries to be a little porous. Once in while put them aside and venture somewhere else. A comfort zone should always be positive, not a box but a place that feels good, good energy, pleasure in your work.