When people think about mastery, what often comes to mind is “practice”, hard work, “putting in the hours” and similar adages.
If one truly seeks mastery in ART, there’s one thing they must understand.
Whatever it is – if it’s a common, popular idea…
Or a well known truism…
Or an “established” process…
It is probably completely wrong.
Why?
Because the common cannot produce a master.
If it was able to produce a master – we’d have masters EVERYWHERE.
There would be no further need for books, videos and teachings, and everyone would have achieved their goals.
But if you look around you, there aren’t many masters walking around…
And this is despite the fact that there are many people who say they wish to become a master of watercolor…
So why is that?
Because aspiring watercolorists often look for how-tos to tell them what to do, and how to do it.
If only I master all the techniques out there – I’ll be able to master watercolor.
If only I learn from these artists about composition, color harmony, light and shadow etc…
I’ll surely be able to produce masterpieces.
This simply does not work. How-tos can lead to average.
They can lead to decent, or quite good.
But they do not lead to mastery.
Mastery is found by walking the path no one else is willing to walk.
The path of freefall.
Mastery is found in abandoning all teachings, and “finding out” for oneself.
So why do I “teach”?
Why do I publish lessons online?
Do I believe that following the lessons will lead anyone to mastery? Not really.
First and foremost, I teach because I must.
It is in my natural state of being to share my art and my insights.
It is my “path of least resistance”.
But I do think that, for those who already had it in them to become a master…
The teachings I share could light a match that leads to certain discoveries and actual, TANGIBLE progress towards mastery.
Not some vague “working at it every day”. But real advancement.
If there was any “hard work” to be done, it is the work of exploration.
And that, my friend, is not hard work it all.
It is complete freedom to become a master.
This isn’t a “process”.
Instead – it is simply chaos.
It’s the willingness to jump in the water and find out their temperature from first hand experience.
What about techniques?
Aren’t they an essential part of mastery?
Wouldn’t I have to master watercolor technique, water-paint ratio, values and so on in order to master watercolor?
Perhaps so…
But this mastery will not be a step in the journey. Instead it’ll be a BYPRODUCT of the journey. A byproduct of free exploration.
And you might just be one of the few people to discover and create their own unique techniques.
Not by practicing every day, or working hard… but by finding your ultimate freedom to explore.
I don’t believe in an endless process, or being an eternal student.
Those who TRULY seek mastery…
Those who are willing to follow it to the ends of the earth… or wherever else it takes them…
Tend to find it.
