Most recent scroll for Atlantia, Fox’s Pelican, brought up subject of mistakes and growth. Patron fan of saying “Embrace mistakes, for it is with them that we learn and improve.” Some ways, makes same sense as Bob Ross “happy little accidents.” Something happens unexpected, adapt.

Recent conversation however, more on “mindset of mistakes” rather than what response TO mistakes are. Patron, as normal for him, speaks with terms of practicing fighing. (Patron story time:) Patron has practice partner, known well for strong arm and fast hand. When Patron started, legs constantly battered at practice, while learning. Not a “fault,” just nature of beast as he developed reactions and movement. Patron struggled greatly maintaining good form, eventually realizing anticipating pain as results of mistakes inhibited taking chances necessary to practice improved technique. Fear. Fear of failure and resulting discomfort inhibited Patron’s progress. Patron invested in metal legs, and technique improved dramatically – not because he was not being hit when he failed, but because he didn’t HURT when he failed, and so could practice new techniques incorporating proper offense and defense at the same time. Before long, metal on legs became less necessary as techniques improved. Patron could try new things without fear – thus learning how to, or how not to, do things.

For scribes, Fear maintains strong hold on growth. Fear to fail. Most scribes that I or Patron knows, practice on “live” art. In essence, art being made is for presentation to recipients, which, as Patron says, equivalent to only practicing fighting on Crown Tournament days. Add constraints which included limited lead time or heavy workload, all add to expecations on art which add pressure. Included in with all, Scribes tend to have expectations of self beyond normal, with great criticisms of mistakes and expectations of perfection. All these things quickly become hurdles to growth, improvement and discovery as artist.

Pelican scroll suffered many mistakes. First attempt dying vellum with Iron Gall failed. Issue identified, but time and materials lost. Fortunately Patron had option. This alone equates to having steel legs for Patron – option meant attempt could be made. Lesson learned. More attempts in future, with intent for building stock. Same with Durazzo hours dying. Minor mistakes there fortunately did not ruin page, as illumination could cover. Then many mistakes with illumination. Blatant error with position of “spike.” Many other mistakes. With each one, options existed, and learned I actually can adapt when mistake made.

This. This most important part of conversation with Patron, and Patron got gleam in eye: Learning that mistakes can be overcome greatest armor for scribe, and enables scribe to take risks, chances which necessary for growing. Tying together – Mindset for mistakes key for mind of artist. Quoting father d’Artagnon: “No- DO get in trouble. Fight. Love. Live!!” Attack projects with passion. Challenge for mistakes and embrace learning coming with them. Be kind to self and learn.

Live life with passion, and be fearless of journey’s challenges.