Yes loved this. I am just getting into the rhythm of making sketches just for the sake of it. No idea what I'm doing, except it's practice. 50 pounds here I come!
Love this. You convey the essence of practice perfectly! I think about it in another context, spiritual/contemplative practice, but it's very much the same thing. The key is the consistency, showing up to learn from one's practice over and over and over. And over.
Interestingly I have a lot of internal resistance to routine so I have to constantly come up against that and remember that creativity (and self-awareness) actually thrive much more in the container of a consistent routine, they are not diminished by it. Thank you for this great illustration of that!
This is a big compliment from someone who invokes "practice" in her Substack title! I have a similar resistance to routine, which is why having it externally enforced (by sports teams) was helpful to me. I actually didn't realize it was a routine, it was just what I did. In Twyla Tharp's book that I quote from, she uses the word RITUAL instead of routine, which gives it a more sacred feel even though she's talking about daily activities like drinking coffee or taking a walk. But as a ritual, it feels like it has a larger purpose (and it does!).
I love this and so true! I’ve been in awe of the athletes at this Olympics and their sheer commitment and determination- can be used for anything in life like you say - I’ve been keeping to a daily sketch habit for some time now and definitely see improvements! 😊
Thanks so much, Jamal! The "discomfort" is a key component that I didn't necessarily emphasize enough here. Twyla Tharp (who I quoted here) talks about how creating rituals help us avoid questions like "WHY am I doing this" when things are uncomfortable or painful or seem meaningless. She also talks about navigating the balance of honing a skill and being open to new things. It's been fun to revisit her book!
The habit of Art .... the habits of life :) I am a holistic therapist - I help children, adults, individuals, partners and families improve their understanding of self and their patterns of behaviour. Regardless of all the desire for something to be different, without small incremental changes AND PRACTICE under all conditions, neither behaviour nor communication change happens. Just the same as sport, and art and probably all the things in life - for us to truly know and feel what to do, it takes exposure alongside practice. I often refer to gardening and sport analogies, even though I am far from being a sporty person or gardener, to highlight that most relational behaviours and engagement will only change with consistent attention to the opportunities to practice OR creating opportunities to practice. So one mindfulness activity a week is unlikely to do much towards change or being ready - but it can certainly help you centre yourself, find motivation or settle your nervous system. No different to me dribbling a ball a few times a month for a few minutes, for fun. It is never a bad thing - but it won't make you able to do it better on a team when the demand for speed dribbling is at a peak (yup, I limit the analogies because you can tell I don't have the lingo! I have a music/theatre background so I still slip and call a field, a stage, sometimes ... much to my oldest sporty daughters disbelief!)
AAANNNDD this is the equally important part. It cannot all be serious. Yes, there are times the commitment may feel like a grind or really call on everything to start or get through. However, finding the fun and being able to enjoy and delight or feel a form of pleasure in the process is equally important along the way. I often hear that interweaved, though not explicitly stated, through your posts - that it is all about hard work and consistency as well as feeling and fun. Without that element, things become gray and a chore, which isn't bad on its own, but can bring a person down if there isn't another strong motivator.
I wrote a post related to 'showing up' today. Even though my message comes from a different angle, at its core it is still about the power of consistency and reliability. I couldn't attach the pix, so I've linked the post (but I understand if you delete this comment as a result)
I love your work Kelcey and enjoy reading your posts. You sharing your thoughts, rather like a pebble throw, facilitate further rippling of thought and reflection and I always enjoy the intersectionality of sport and art.
Wow, thanks for these thoughts, Misia! You are totally right that the subtext of all of my posts about hard work is FUN. Isn't that why we make art or play sports? Because it's fun? The USA women's soccer team just won the gold medal with a coach that's only been there a few months, and in all the interviews, the players keep saying that she has helped bring back their JOY in playing. And yes, the repetition is key. I've seen some footage the USA women's soccer team playing basketball, and they are hilariously bad.
Twyla Tharp, who I quote in my post, also emphasizes the importance of "practicing with a purpose." Like just doing something aimlessly won't necessarily lead to improvement. That's why we need coaches and teachers and therapists (like you) to guide us!
Loved this! esp the transition from sports to art and how you showed it. ❤️ i feel super inspired right now, to practice no matter what, after a loss AND a win and everything in between… but i hope i will remember this later! because after everything i need a few days to recover from the overwhelm.. and it gets harder and harder to restart
Thanks, Raju! And yes it's so important to rest and recover! The other part of this story (that I'll tell another time) is how I eventually got burned out and quit soccer--for over a year! And when I came back I loved it even more.
YES YES YES!!!! Love this story, your art, and the relationship to sports. I am all over the daily movement piece, but I often hesitate on the art practice. So, THANK YOU!
I, too, am celebrating the big soccer win. SWEEEEET.
Thank you so much, Amy! Honestly I just got back from traveling abroad where I did zero art, so this is also my own call to action to get back to it! And woohoo women's soccer gold medal!
I love this. It’s so true; no matter what, just keep doing the thing. I’m working on one of the biggest projects of my heart. Last year, I had all these goals and ideas and results-oriented thoughts. This year: nothing but DO IT, every day. 💪 Thanks for this!
Thanks, Suzan! I love hearing that you're working on a special project! And that you're just focused on doing it daily. When I started daily artmaking a few years ago, I couldn't believe how quickly daily doing turned into bigger projects (in a good way!).
That’s so good to hear! I tend to think about One Project, and then I hyper-focus and implode 😹😳. I’m about to start the SAW Year Long Program again (I had to withdraw last year due to a family health crisis), and I’m looking forward to seeing how that can expand my project vision as well. And when I heard you’re a SAW alum, I felt even better about being part of that amazing program and group!
I hear you! And YAY about SAW! I haven't done the full year program but I did a low-residency workshop and have taught for them. I love SAW! Excited to see what emerges!
A really heartening story, thank you so much. 100% relatable ❤️
Thank you, Mattie!
Practice, practice, practice. Definitely!
Indeed! Thanks, Sue! 🥰
Yes loved this. I am just getting into the rhythm of making sketches just for the sake of it. No idea what I'm doing, except it's practice. 50 pounds here I come!
Yay, Tom!!!
Again, most excellent. Everyone should read, see, and understand.
Thank you, Jay! 🥰
Love this. You convey the essence of practice perfectly! I think about it in another context, spiritual/contemplative practice, but it's very much the same thing. The key is the consistency, showing up to learn from one's practice over and over and over. And over.
Interestingly I have a lot of internal resistance to routine so I have to constantly come up against that and remember that creativity (and self-awareness) actually thrive much more in the container of a consistent routine, they are not diminished by it. Thank you for this great illustration of that!
This is a big compliment from someone who invokes "practice" in her Substack title! I have a similar resistance to routine, which is why having it externally enforced (by sports teams) was helpful to me. I actually didn't realize it was a routine, it was just what I did. In Twyla Tharp's book that I quote from, she uses the word RITUAL instead of routine, which gives it a more sacred feel even though she's talking about daily activities like drinking coffee or taking a walk. But as a ritual, it feels like it has a larger purpose (and it does!).
I need to read Twyla's book! It's been on my radar for a long time.
All the best to you, Kelcey!
You won’t regret it! 😊
Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks, Sharon!
Wow! What powerful message! Brought tears to my eyes…(happy and proud). Love ❤️ you!
Thanks, Dad! And thanks for showing me how it's done! ❤️🥰
"Practice makes permanent." I love that!
Yes! He always reminded us of that when we were practicing something WRONG.
So true!
Right? It's obvious but it's also easy to forget!
I love this and so true! I’ve been in awe of the athletes at this Olympics and their sheer commitment and determination- can be used for anything in life like you say - I’ve been keeping to a daily sketch habit for some time now and definitely see improvements! 😊
Thanks, Nikki! I love watching Olympians! And yes it's amazing how quickly we improve through repetition.
I absolutely loved this piece Kelsey! 🥹
This approach to writing here has been what’s kept me going.
As I think about your encouragement to draw and this piece I find myself inspired to continue leaning into the discomfort and joy of practice ❤️
Thanks so much, Jamal! The "discomfort" is a key component that I didn't necessarily emphasize enough here. Twyla Tharp (who I quoted here) talks about how creating rituals help us avoid questions like "WHY am I doing this" when things are uncomfortable or painful or seem meaningless. She also talks about navigating the balance of honing a skill and being open to new things. It's been fun to revisit her book!
Looking her up now!
The habit of Art .... the habits of life :) I am a holistic therapist - I help children, adults, individuals, partners and families improve their understanding of self and their patterns of behaviour. Regardless of all the desire for something to be different, without small incremental changes AND PRACTICE under all conditions, neither behaviour nor communication change happens. Just the same as sport, and art and probably all the things in life - for us to truly know and feel what to do, it takes exposure alongside practice. I often refer to gardening and sport analogies, even though I am far from being a sporty person or gardener, to highlight that most relational behaviours and engagement will only change with consistent attention to the opportunities to practice OR creating opportunities to practice. So one mindfulness activity a week is unlikely to do much towards change or being ready - but it can certainly help you centre yourself, find motivation or settle your nervous system. No different to me dribbling a ball a few times a month for a few minutes, for fun. It is never a bad thing - but it won't make you able to do it better on a team when the demand for speed dribbling is at a peak (yup, I limit the analogies because you can tell I don't have the lingo! I have a music/theatre background so I still slip and call a field, a stage, sometimes ... much to my oldest sporty daughters disbelief!)
AAANNNDD this is the equally important part. It cannot all be serious. Yes, there are times the commitment may feel like a grind or really call on everything to start or get through. However, finding the fun and being able to enjoy and delight or feel a form of pleasure in the process is equally important along the way. I often hear that interweaved, though not explicitly stated, through your posts - that it is all about hard work and consistency as well as feeling and fun. Without that element, things become gray and a chore, which isn't bad on its own, but can bring a person down if there isn't another strong motivator.
I wrote a post related to 'showing up' today. Even though my message comes from a different angle, at its core it is still about the power of consistency and reliability. I couldn't attach the pix, so I've linked the post (but I understand if you delete this comment as a result)
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/YdVHYBNFACNUsnYp/
I love your work Kelcey and enjoy reading your posts. You sharing your thoughts, rather like a pebble throw, facilitate further rippling of thought and reflection and I always enjoy the intersectionality of sport and art.
Wow, thanks for these thoughts, Misia! You are totally right that the subtext of all of my posts about hard work is FUN. Isn't that why we make art or play sports? Because it's fun? The USA women's soccer team just won the gold medal with a coach that's only been there a few months, and in all the interviews, the players keep saying that she has helped bring back their JOY in playing. And yes, the repetition is key. I've seen some footage the USA women's soccer team playing basketball, and they are hilariously bad.
Twyla Tharp, who I quote in my post, also emphasizes the importance of "practicing with a purpose." Like just doing something aimlessly won't necessarily lead to improvement. That's why we need coaches and teachers and therapists (like you) to guide us!
Loved this! esp the transition from sports to art and how you showed it. ❤️ i feel super inspired right now, to practice no matter what, after a loss AND a win and everything in between… but i hope i will remember this later! because after everything i need a few days to recover from the overwhelm.. and it gets harder and harder to restart
Thanks, Raju! And yes it's so important to rest and recover! The other part of this story (that I'll tell another time) is how I eventually got burned out and quit soccer--for over a year! And when I came back I loved it even more.
Looking forward to that and everything you create 💙🫰
YES YES YES!!!! Love this story, your art, and the relationship to sports. I am all over the daily movement piece, but I often hesitate on the art practice. So, THANK YOU!
I, too, am celebrating the big soccer win. SWEEEEET.
Thank you so much, Amy! Honestly I just got back from traveling abroad where I did zero art, so this is also my own call to action to get back to it! And woohoo women's soccer gold medal!
I love this. It’s so true; no matter what, just keep doing the thing. I’m working on one of the biggest projects of my heart. Last year, I had all these goals and ideas and results-oriented thoughts. This year: nothing but DO IT, every day. 💪 Thanks for this!
Thanks, Suzan! I love hearing that you're working on a special project! And that you're just focused on doing it daily. When I started daily artmaking a few years ago, I couldn't believe how quickly daily doing turned into bigger projects (in a good way!).
That’s so good to hear! I tend to think about One Project, and then I hyper-focus and implode 😹😳. I’m about to start the SAW Year Long Program again (I had to withdraw last year due to a family health crisis), and I’m looking forward to seeing how that can expand my project vision as well. And when I heard you’re a SAW alum, I felt even better about being part of that amazing program and group!
I hear you! And YAY about SAW! I haven't done the full year program but I did a low-residency workshop and have taught for them. I love SAW! Excited to see what emerges!
"Performance is always about life or death, whether it is sports or theatre."
- Caridad Svich, playmaker
Damn! That's why you better practice! 😁