No Second Guessing

There is a fine line between looking back with the goal of improvement and second guessing oneself. 

I walk this line often.

No Second Guessing - Front

As an individual and especially as an artist, I strive for continual improvement. I want to be expanding my boundaries and skills by challenging myself and assessing my progress toward my goals. To this end, I am constantly evaluating what could have been done differently; what improvements could be made. I ask myself what choices I made and what else I might have done to further emphasize or clarify my artistic vision.

And though I am a firm believer in self-evaluation, I realize such inquiry can deteriorate into destructive criticism despite the ostensible goal of constructive learning.  One type of inquiry is enhancing and empowering while the other is negative and demeaning. I created the symbol for “No Second Guessing” to remind myself to stay out of the mire when evaluating myself and my work.

No Second Guessing - Back

The background includes four, affirmational statements repeated as a quilting motif:

•  Trust your instincts
• You already have the answers
• Keep it simple
• Everything happens exactly as it should

  

Happy trails to you on your creative journey, and stay out of the muck!