Finding your inner artist, day 13: About toolboxes, hard graft and letting go when it matters

Today’s quote:

You’ve got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail. ~ Charlie Parker

You need to learn your craft. You need to spend time on honing your skills. You cannot expect to get success handed out to you without working your socks off. There is no instant gratification – if that’s what you expect, you might be in for a massive disappointment.

Have you ever met one of these artists who are never ready to step out there though? Who always “need to learn more”? Who still need to put a few finishing touches to whatever they are creating? Only that they never finish it?

You need to let go at some point. The singer or instrumentalist needs to trust their muscle memory to take over, and then infuse their craft with life. The writer needs to trust the technical skill they have developed over the years, and just tell the story. The painter needs to trust their ability to use appropriate technical skill to bring their painting to life.

Creating art is about a lot of hard work, and finding the right tools in our toolboxes. Only knowing how to hit a nail won’t build anything though…

© Petra Raspel 2013