Pondering Growth as an Artist While Drawing Skulls and Flowers

Pondering Growth as an Artist While Drawing Skulls and Flowers

Hi Friends,

After another stretch of rainy days here in Da Nang, I felt compelled to create dark pen and ink drawings of skulls and flowers last night. As I shaded in the moody overlapping shapes, I considered what these familiar elements say about my current creative direction. While fun to draw, are skulls and flowers preventing me from growing? Should I push beyond my artistic comfort zone?

The swirling skulls and ornate florals came out darkly ethereal. Combining such intense contrasting symbols in repetition does create compelling compositions in my style. But I question if I lean on these elements too much because they are easy and safe.

Skulls connote the macabre; flowers represent beauty. They make visually striking subjects. But relying on recognizable tropes risks complacency. Great artists expand understanding - how can I make viewers see common things in new ways?

My latest drawings do have emotional resonance and technical flair. So why does dissatisfaction creep in? As artists, we often second-guess ourselves and our direction. Constructive self-examination is healthy, spurring growth. Other times, we undermine our own work needlessly.

I don't want to paralyze myself overthinking these lines. But pushing creative boundaries is also essential to avoid stagnation. I strive to dig deeper, evolve my voice, and bring new visions to life.

For now, I will continue practicing my craft through skulls, flowers, and other familiar motifs. But I also want to start expanding the boundaries of my work - diving into new themes, techniques, and ways of seeing. Stepping outside artistic comfort zones is key for discovery.

Let me know in the comments - how do you balance honing your skills while also challenging yourself creatively?

I welcome any insights. My skull and floral drawings did satisfy in the moment. But to grow as an artist, I can't linger too long in the comfortable and expected. New directions call, and I look forward to answering.

Cheers~