I'm really interested in how we are always trying to make meaning out of abstract things.
As humans, that's something we're so drawn to more meaning making machine.
I'm Colette Robbins and I'm an artist.
Colette Robbins
Psychology has been a theme throughout my entire career as an artist.
And my work right now is a lot about dealing with the imagery of a Rorschach inkblot.
I make representational drawings that have lots of strong textures
but then I'm placing inside the inkblot, kind of, these landscapes that are very isolated.
And because they're, kind of, abstract shape and because they're Rorschach format
the viewer comes in and then projects their whole world upon that.
It's almost like you're opening up somebody's thought or emotion and you're seeing, kind of, the world inside of it.
I think inspiration comes from a planting of curious seeds everywhere.
I don't think there's a light bulb moment.
There's more a series of small things that then lead to a big growth.
You start to see things manifest, then that's where the ideas start coming
and then you start practicing putting things into action,
and then they can keep growing and developing into things.
Than I do think that's where the discerning voice, the self-critic comes in.
And then you, kind of, have a step back and say:
How do I want to put this into place?
And you give it a chance.
A huge part of being an artist is fine-tuning that self-critic.
Sometimes you gonna be on the side where it's like:
You do it awesome! Great work!
And then other time's gonna be like:
No!
And you need to listen to it.
Put you an extent, cos you have to decide whether it's coming from your inner trolls
or if it's actually something that's pushing you further.
So, I think self-trust it's actually extremely important.
Self-critic should have a nice balance of trust and pushing, and trust, and pushing.
If you want to be successful and thrive then you gotta practice those things.
Growth as an artist isn't always a smooth path.
And it's not always these "Aha!" moments
but if you keep fueling the curiosity that kinda keeps pushing you forward...
That leads to drive, that leads to inspiration, that leads to success, in my opinion.