Every artist needs a “why” behind making art.

My “why” is simple: making work that I love. I need to create work that delights me and reflects what I am experiencing in the moment.

At the beginning of 2026, I looked back at the work I made in 2024 and 2025. It felt safe. Pretty. Predictable. I was getting bored with what I was making, so I revised my goal:

Make work that I love and take more risks.

In practice, how have I been applying myself to this new goal?

The visual: When a piece starts looking nice, I ask myself, How can I push this further?

The feeling: When I feel comfortable with a piece, I ask myself, How can I make myself uncomfortable?

Those two questions are helping move my work forward.

The truth is, I’m taking baby steps when it comes to risk-taking. But each time I do, it fuels the next piece, giving me permission to experiment a little more.

I have to practice not making perfect work.

I have to practice being uncomfortable.

I have to practice focusing on process instead of outcome.

And today, that revised goal has reignited my enthusiasm for creating. I’m surprising myself again and I’m excited to see what comes next.

A Walk With A Friend, Monotype, 2024 (I still love this piece, but didn’t want to keep making the same thing.)

Breaking Things, Collage from Monotype, 2026