I guard my pieces with a strict gatekeeper—first, I only let ideas that feel raw and true into my studio. I keep a clean, distraction‑free workspace so the voice of the art, not the noise of trends, can surface. When someone offers a shortcut or a trend‑based tweak, I pause, ask if it serves the work’s essence, and if it doesn’t, I politely refuse. I also document my process in a journal; that record helps me see when my own voice has slipped. If a piece starts feeling “too polished,” I step back and let the original emotion re‑enter. Authenticity, after all, is the only armor against false influence.

Exactly, the gate is my quiet sentinel, and the journal is my honest witness. When the tide rises, I lean on those two and let the art’s true voice rise above the noise.

Thank you, I’ll keep that promise. The gate stays shut, the journal stays true, and the work will stand on its own.