After working in jade for nearly a decade, I started drawing out a map that would guide me during the creation process. This map illustrated all of the tasks and broke each section down into several steps.
During the creation of this map, I had a beautiful surprising epiphany. The step-by-step procedure to describe this task was similar to how I worked, through getting from conception of an idea to my desired result. In essence, I saw a blueprint for the creative act itself.
I began to consciously implement these steps—my practical blueprint—into my studio practice. My studio environment began to flourish, my doubts lessened, demand grew for my designs and my client list exploded.
Some of my early pieces worked but most did not. I didn’t let that deter me from exploring as many forms and subjects as I could. Even as I gained more experience, these little fears and periods of trepidation would arise in my mind.
I would ask myself: What if my next piece is really bad?
Every time I asked this question, I would be filled with doubt. It became impossible to work because all I could focus on was the possibility of failure. I knew my coping strategy had to change. I desperately wanted to make a change, but I didn’t know what or how to change. All I knew was that I had to somehow stop this constant onslaught of angst that kept me from creating to my full potential.