This is a new idea that my fiance put into my brain. Or, not a new idea, but a new (and I feel more accurate) way of describing an old idea. Everybody says things like, “Keep learning! You’re always a student! You’re never done studying!” I’ve always understood that statement, in the abstract. “I should endeavor to keep experiencing new things, to remain humble, to realize that I am on a journey in which the road travelled is more important that the series of destinations,” I thought.

But “travelling down the road” is actually a dangerous analogy for me.  These past couple months I’ve done a lot of travelling (both literally and figuratively) to meet artists, see artwork, and in a large part to feel like a professional. I met a lot of fantastic people who I like very much, and who I wanted to like me. To consider me a peer. And I looked at their work, both in terms of volume and quality, and was struck by what a long way I have to go in terms of skill and production until I consider myself their peer, regardless of what they think of me.

I don’t regret meeting people at all. I had a blast. I’d do it over again. But I feel like I’ve just put in a lot of time developing a career full of contacts and friends that I’m not actually good enough to have. I need to study more. Take in work. Fix problems with my artistic efforts. Mold them into something I’m happier with.  I need to keep learning new things.

And the dangerous/frustrating thing about thinking of an artistic career as a journey is that if you’re not doing that travelling it feels like your’e not going anywhere, and if you’re not going anywhere it’s hard to think that you’re actually on that journey, isn’t it?

What I have recently realized that people mean (or what I think they mean) when they challenge you to be a perpetual student is NOT “be ready to learn at any time” but INSTEAD “actively learn.” You must make artistic pit stops along this journey.  You must take the time to stop the car by not worrying about others’ work and thoughts of you for awhile, you must change out your tires by updating portfolios and improving techniques, you must refuel by seeking new sources of inspiration.  Just like in driving, there will be situations on the road that you cannot predict.  Sometimes you will have to choose between two bad things.

It’s your responsibility to yourself to arm yourself with the skills and knowledge that will help you navigate those difficult situations. Offer yourself every advantage you can.

And maybe most importantly, find a decent pit crew.  You need people you can trust to be honest with you.  You need someone to let you know when it’s time to come in, change things out. When you’ve gone farther with what you have than it should get you.  Remember that a true collaborator will challenge you to be  better rather than depend upon you to be good.

And have fun. Keep yourself in shape and then enjoy the benefits when the road and sky open up before you and all you can see, near or far, is the horizon.