Comfort Zone

This week's question focuses on pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This is something I've been trying to work on over the last year.
I do believe it's necessary to leave your comfort zone as an artist in order to grow. To not do so would leave you stagnant. I don't think it's necessary to constantly push yourself - get all crazy or whatnot, but I do think pushing yourself to a place where you're mildly uncomfortable helps to develop new artistic muscles.
Being a member of this group is one of the ways I work to push myself. Being given a new challenge on a (somewhat) monthly basis, allows me opportunities to think outside of my box and try new things. When I am able to, participating in Illustration Friday is another opportunity.
Another way to grow is by creating art for myself. I give myself much more leeway to experiment and create from my gut than I do when I create a piece for my portfolio. I'd like to try to incorporate some of these experimental techniques into my portfolio in the future. I see that as one of my paths to evolving as an artist.
Every once in a while, I'll see a piece of art that really strikes a chord with me. Sometimes there'll be an element from that piece that I'll incorporate into an experimental piece of my own...or I'll wonder how a look was accomplished and work towards achieving that. Regardless of the outcome, I force myself to stretch my art muscles and push myself in a direction I wouldn't have otherwise gone.
One of the things I have yet to achieve outside of my comfort zone is being comfortable enough with people as subjects of my art. I know I'm capable, but because it takes me so much more conscious thought and technique to accomplish, I tend to balk when presented with it as an option. Just another goal to achieve. :)