FOMO….I have a severe case
Have you heard of FOMO (fear of missing out)? Most time this is related to social events. You overcommit because you don’t want to miss out on something. I am a pretty strong introvert, so this is not my issue.
I do however have a severe case of this when it comes to art and art supplies. I joke in workshops that I have never met an art supply I didn’t like. I am always drawn to trying new things. I’ll watch a YouTube video late at night, immediately order the supplies they used, then when the box arrives a few days later I have forgotten what video inspired me. (Please tell me I am not the only one????)
Lately I have been trying to slow down and dig a little deeper before jumping to the next thing. This is hard for me. I am very attracted to the sparkly squirrel running around….look at this, and this, AND THIS! I want to do it all and I want to do it now. I am afraid I will forget something I really want to try.
As I have been studying artists, I see that most of them skip around but there are periods of time where they focus on one style or subject or medium. One of the first ones that pops into mind is Picasso’s blue period. For three years Picasso created mostly using a muted palette of blues and greens. Based on what I have read, he didn’t plan on painting with a limited palette for that time period, but it was obviously what he was drawn to. I’m sure he saw other colors or styles, but he had the focus to stay with one thing. Now he also had severe depression during this time, so I hope I can focus without a major depressive event.
So, how can I get over my art FOMO? There is no support group for this or a manual of tips, so I had to come up with me own list of tips…
Mary’s FOMO tips….
Keep a master list of things you want to try.
This could be a physical or digital list. I created a folder in YouTube where I can save videos I want to watch later. I also have a physical list if I see a product or technique to try.
Work with a limited palette for a period of time.
Pick 3-5 colors (plus black and white) and only work with these for a short period of time. I have tried this for a week at a time.
Try painting the same subject multiple times
I took a workshop last year with Bob Burridge. He recommended painting the same thing 100 times. He has hundreds of paintings of a pear. One pear! Just completing 5 or 6 of this during the workshop, I realized how much I learned from painting the same thing over and over.
Do you have FOMO? Or are you immune to the sparkly squirrels?