EXPERIMENTING

The Art of Evolution

24.04.2025

I painted over this canvas 5 times as I kept getting new ideas. You know what that's called? EXPERIMENTING.

Trying something that leads you to generate another idea you never would have originally thought of - that's the creative journey. It's what pushes our work forward in unexpected and often beautiful ways.

When Ideas Cascade

You know when you're doing something and another idea comes along? That's good. It's normal. It's how we progress. In traditional settings, we might call this getting "distracted" or "losing focus," but in creative work, it's often the doorway to innovation.

Here's what kept happening with my painting: I'd start painting with a clear vision. The first layer would go down, and I'd be satisfied... for about five minutes. Then, as I stood back looking at what I'd created, another completely different idea would spark up. 

This is so relatable for many creatives. You begin a project with one intention, and halfway through, inspiration strikes with something entirely different. That voice that says, "Actually, let's try this instead" It can feel like you're being unfocused or erratic, but it's actually your creative mind working exactly as it should.

I'd bet money that everyone reading this has experienced something similar. Maybe you're writing an email and suddenly think of a better way to phrase your point. Or you're solving a problem at work when a completely different approach occurs to you midway.

I was Experimenting

I've painted this background five times. Not because I got it wrong, but because I was experimenting. Each layer was a new idea, a new what if? Each brushstroke, an experiment. This is what creative problem-solving looks like in paint—letting the process lead, not just the plan.

The outcome of working this way in Art:

• It builds creative confidence—you learn you don't need to know everything in advance

• It keeps your work fresh—new techniques, new forms, unexpected breakthroughs

• It sharpens your ability to solve problems intuitively, in the moment

Currently, I'm challenging myself to use bigger brushes and break away from precision. It's surprisingly difficult to train perfection out of yourself... Years of conditioning to "stay within the lines" and "get it right the first time" create patterns that are hard to break.

And this kind of thinking isn't just for artists. Divergent thinking applies to everyone. What happens when you bring that same openness, curiosity, and willingness to experiment into your everyday life? Into your relationships, your work problems, your daily routines?

Experiment. Get it wrong. Find out what works for you and what doesn't. That's the path forward.

Try it. Follow the "what if." Let the next brushstroke—whatever that means in your life—teach you something new.

Stay tuned to see where this painting goes! I'll be sharing updates as this experiment continues to evolve.

Katie H.