What Falling Down A Rockslide Taught Me About Art

My son fell down a rockslide…

He bounced. Don’t worry. He’s fine. He’s 9.

We were hiking in Arizona along Lake Saguaro, a picturesque location known for its stunning landscapes and challenging trails. The trails, while beautiful, are covered with loose rocks and sand, making each step a test of balance and confidence. In some areas, the steep sides of the mountains seem to only pause briefly for the trail before plunging down into the shimmering waters of the lake.

As a parent, my primary concern is my son’s safety, but I also want to instill in him the importance of resilience and learning through experience.

I tried to explain to him that he wouldn’t slip if he put all his weight down with each step. This technique is known as a friction hold.

The concept is simple yet effective: you step onto the soft, shifting gravel until your weight pins it in place, creating a stable footing.

This idea, while straightforward, can be intimidating. It requires a leap of faith and a willingness to embrace uncertainty.

Until you’ve practiced it enough, it can feel quite scary to trust that this method will work (most of the time). However, I didn’t press him into adopting this tactic. I know from experience that true learning comes from experience itself. He has to encounter failures in his current strategy before he can begin to adopt the one I shared with him.

After all, he is just a nine-year-old navigating the complexities of both the physical and metaphorical trails in life.

The Journey Beyond Hiking: The Art of Trusting the Process

As I observed my son, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own journey as an artist and the friction holds I sometimes ignore.

Artists, what friction holds are you overlooking in your creative pursuits?

Is it an email strategy that didn’t pay off right away, or perhaps a social media posting strategy that took “too long” to gain traction?

In the world of art, we often find ourselves hesitant to fully commit to a new technique or strategy, fearing that it may not yield immediate results. We half-step into new methods, testing the waters without diving in completely. This cautious approach may protect us from failure, but it also limits our growth and potential.

If you find yourself in this position, ask yourself: “What is keeping me from trusting this process?”

What am I lacking that I need clarity on in order to embrace my artistic strategies fully?

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The Importance of Full Commitment

Half measures aren’t serving you. Leaning halfway into the business of your art does not lead to extraordinary outcomes. To truly harness your creativity and achieve your goals, you must commit fully to the strategies you believe in. This commitment requires courage and a willingness to embrace the possibility of failure.

When hiking, the fear of slipping can cause hesitation, but once you trust the friction hold, you can navigate the trail more confidently. Similarly, in your artistic endeavors, fully embracing your strategies can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.

Want extraordinary results? Choose extraordinary strategies and pursue them wholeheartedly. That’s where the smiles and satisfaction truly reside. When we commit fully to our artistic journey, we open ourselves up to growth, experimentation, and ultimately, success.

Finding Support on Your Journey

Just like hiking can be a challenging endeavor, the journey of an artist can be fraught with difficulties. It is essential to surround yourself with a supportive community, just as you would want companions on a treacherous hike. When you have a crew beside you, navigating the challenges of the art world becomes more manageable.

Consider booking a Discovery Session with Jason Matias, where you can find the support and mentorship you need. It’s akin to having an entire crew to hike with, equipped with the knowledge and experience to guide you on your path. They can help you identify the right strategies to employ, ensuring you don’t slide off the trail of your artistic journey.

The importance of mentorship cannot be overstated. When you have access to experienced guides who can offer insights and encouragement, you are more likely to trust the process and fully commit to your artistic endeavors. Mentors can help illuminate the path forward, providing you with the tools and confidence necessary to navigate the complexities of your creative work.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Failure

As we hike, my son’s initial fear of slipping is palpable. It’s a natural human instinct to fear failure, but it’s essential to understand that failure is not the end; rather, it is an integral part of the learning process.

Each misstep provides valuable lessons that contribute to our growth.

In art, the same principle applies.

Many artists fear putting their work out into the world, worried that it may not be well received or that they will face criticism. However, it is through these experiences that we sharpen our skills and refine our craft. Embracing failure as a necessary stepping stone allows us to evolve as artists.

Encouraging my son to embrace the idea of falling teaches him resilience. Each time he stumbles and gets back up, he builds his confidence and learns to trust himself more. In the same vein, as artists, we must cultivate resilience and learn to view failures as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.

The Power of Reflection

After our hike, I often encourage my son to reflect on his experiences.

What did he learn from the trail?
How did he feel in moments of uncertainty?

Reflection is a powerful tool that helps us process our experiences and solidify the lessons learned.

As artists, we should also take the time to reflect on our creative journeys.

What strategies worked well for us?
Which ones fell flat?

By analyzing our experiences, we can better understand our artistic processes and make informed decisions moving forward.

Regular reflection allows us to fine-tune our approaches and identify what truly resonates with us as creators. It encourages us to evaluate our goals and align our strategies with our aspirations.

Jason Matias Photograph of a woman looking at the Aurora Borealis — *Fine Art Photography by Jason Matias*

Embracing the Adventure

Ultimately, life is an adventure, much like hiking along the trails of Lake Saguaro.

There will be twists and turns, steep climbs, and moments of uncertainty. However, each step taken on this journey contributes to our growth as individuals and artists.

Embracing the adventure means being open to new experiences, trusting the processes we learn, and committing fully to our creative endeavors. It’s about recognizing that the journey itself is just as important as the destination.

So, the next time you find yourself hesitating to fully embrace a new strategy or technique, remember the lessons learned from hiking.

Trust the friction hold
commit to your path
and surround yourself with supportive mentors and fellow artists.

As you continue on your artistic journey, keep in mind that extraordinary outcomes await those who choose extraordinary strategies. The smiles and satisfaction that come from embracing the adventure are worth every stumble along the way.

The parallels between hiking and the artistic journey are striking. Both require a willingness to trust the process, embrace failure, and commit fully to the path ahead. As artists, we must not shy away from challenges or half-step into our pursuits. Instead, we should dive in wholeheartedly, guided by our passions and the support of those around us.

So, lace up your hiking boots and embark on your artistic adventure with confidence. Embrace the lessons learned along the way, celebrate your successes, and find joy in the journey itself.

Whether you are navigating the trails of life or the intricacies of your art, remember that every step forward is a step toward growth and fulfillment.