Day 07: Koala

7 Day Wildlife Sketch Challenge!

It is our last day for this round of the seven day wildlife sketch challenge.

Where has the time gone??

I want to know all about your experiences - tell me everything, I am sitting here with my face propped on hands, elbows on the table, and eager to hear!

Today’s video is broken into two parts - it is a little longer because I can’t help but waffle on at the end about the whole challenge ;)

I hope you find it helpful too though!

I am finishing as I started, with an Australian native. Another fluffy rotund one, but one without wings.

Over the last week we have talked about fears and frustrations, being curious and open to wonder, self compassion in the face of criticism and perfectionism, and the thread of connection that weaves its way through everything we do.

I want to bring that all back to three of the five pillars of The Wild Hearted Artist’s Ecosystem ©. This is something we talk about in a lot more detail inside of The Wild Sketchbook (which is open now for a short while!) but here, let’s feel into the supportive goodness of courage, compassion, and curiosity.

As you journey along your creative path, you'll encounter many challenges and obstacles along the way. It doesn’t matter how long you do this work - it is inevitable. And it can be frustrating. But it is also an opportunity for expansion. Something that will serve as your steadfast companion is courage. Courage is the fuel that propels you forward, the tiny flint spark that illuminates the darkest corners of self-doubt, and the foundation upon which sustainable creative processes are built.

But what exactly is courage, and how can you cultivate it in your artistic practice? At its core, courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the willingness to act in spite of it. It's the inner strength that empowers you to take risks, to push beyond your comfort zone, and to embrace the unknown with open arms. Even if those open arms are a little tentative. And when coupled with curiosity and compassion, courage becomes a powerful force for developing sustainable creative processes that support long-term growth.

Curiosity inspires you to explore new ideas, experiment with different techniques, and delve deeper into the mysteries of your craft. It's the unwavering belief that there is always more to discover - that the more you see, the more you see. When you approach your artistic practice with curiosity, you invite innovation, inspiration, and growth into your life.

Now, imagine combining that curiosity with courage—the courage to venture into actions you have not performed before, to challenge conventional wisdom and do it your way, and to embrace fear and frustration and even, dare I say it, opportunities for further learning (what some call “mistakes”) as a natural part of the creative process. Suddenly, the possibilities become limitless, and the fear of the unknown transforms into, well perhaps not a thrilling adventure, but at least an of self-discovery worth the exploration.

That few seconds of courage you gift yourself emboldens and empowers you, allows you to unfurl and expand, pushes the boundaries of your creativity, and unlocks new realms of artistic expression.

And yet courage alone is not enough to sustain you on your creative journey; you also need compassion—the gentle hand that guides you through the highs and lows of the creative process, the soothing voice that whispers words of encouragement when self-doubt creeps in, and the warm embrace that reminds you that you are worthy, just as you are. Compassion allows you to be gentle with yourself, to treat yourself with kindness and understanding, and to embrace imperfection as a natural part of the human experience.

When you cultivate courage and compassion in conjunction with curiosity, you create a nurturing environment for sustainable creative processes to thrive.

You learn to approach your art with an open heart and an open mind, free from judgement or expectation. You give yourself permission to make “mistakes”, make “bad art” because it was fun and you got to play, to take detours, and to explore new paths without fear. And most importantly, you embed a sense of resilience that allows you to weather the inevitable storms of self-doubt and criticism and other challenges that arise along the way.

So how can you begin to cultivate courage in your artistic practice?

• Start by acknowledging your fears and insecurities, and

• then gently challenge them with acts of bravery, no matter how small.

• Just ten seconds of bravery - face that blank page and make a mark.

• Use the expensive supplies.

• Take time to create.

• Because you are bloody well worth it all.

• Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow artists who understand the struggles and triumphs of the creative journey, and draw strength from their courage and compassion.

As you continue to cultivate courage, curiosity, and compassion in your artistic practice, you'll find that your creative processes become more sustainable, your growth more profound, and your journey more rewarding, unfurling you in ways you never thought possible.

And know, always, that I am here celebrating you, and cheering you on.

Come share what you are working on any time over on our chat. I would love to see you there!

Koala

Image by sandid from Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/photos/koala-bear-marsupial-grey-furry-687520/

PS: Ready to take your wildlife art to the next level?

My comprehensive seven week wildlife art masterclass is now open! I only open this up twice a year, so we can work intensively as a small group on using lots of different supplies to make wildlife art - AND - become the most confident, curious, and compassionate artist we can become.

You can find out more here: