Break the rules once in a while…

I believe many of us love to learn, implement new approaches and systems, which might help us in a certain area in our lives like productivity or becoming more creative, etc.

In my life, I have loved to throw myself into certain approaches and learn as much as I can. That for example was very true, when I decided to go to the School of Physical Theatre in London and study the Lecoq approach. And eventually create my own show as well.

At the same time, sooner or later, I would stray from the system and try something new, find my own way again, while carrying which I had learned forward.

Although I think there are many really exciting systems as well as approaches out there, I also believe it’s important to not get too hung up on the supposed to’s and allow ourselves to deviate a little when it feels right.

If we follow a system too tightly, we might lose out on our own instinct telling us something or an inspiration flying bye.

Of course we are all different and there are some people, who follow one system or approach all of their lives, deepen it and become an expert at it. Which is awesome too.

However for the more free spirited amongst us, it might be a better way forward to put our own spin on things and take from the systems, that which works for us.

I remember where I did do that very intuitively, was when I took some painting classes with Shiloh Sophia, who is both a great artist as well as teacher. There were several classes I took and I enjoyed them all very much.

In apocathery we painted on a huge canvas and while I really had fun with this, I soon realised I didn’t have the space to continue with big formats. Instead I continued with drawing. While I did apply quite a few of the things which I had learned from Shiloh, I also ventured forth and developed my own style doing whatever inspired me.

Following a new system is great, but being able to make it your own is healthy, so that we don’t get too caught up in rigid should’s. Dismissing our own instincts as a result.

As usual it’s a dance, between being willing to learn a system as well as finding the freedom to break the rules a little, when it feels like time to do that.

After all, one size doesn’t fit all.

By the way, you can purchase art prints from 21 of my original drawings on Fine Art America. They have notebooks, tote bags and art prints and they deliver to Europe as well.

That is, if you either still need a Christmas present or love some unique, unconventional, breaking the rules art.