Embracing mistakes in the creative process
Perfection is the death of creativity. Since I started trying to make my art as perfect as the art I was seeing all over my feeds on the internet, the museums I visit and the galleries I aspire to have my work shown in, I stopped creating.
I came to believe that creativity is all about embracing the messy, unpredictable process that often leads to something far more beautiful than we imagined. As an artist, you grow to realize that imperfections aren’t really flaws—they’re the essence of art itself.
Why Mistakes Matter in Art?
One of my favorite art styles is impressionism. Nothing about an impressionist painting is ‘perfect’, but looking at the broken color, the impression of the realistic image, and all the details that aren’t really perfect makes you fall in love with the artwork and start daydreaming about it being yours.
Think about the raw energy of a brushstroke that went slightly off-course or a line that wavers just a little. These “mistakes” breathe life into the piece, giving it a soul. Perfection is static, but imperfection? It invites curiosity. It tells a story. And it reveals a unique style.
Mistakes in art are like plot twists in a novel—they weren’t planned, but they often become the most memorable part. For me, they’re a reminder to let go of control and trust the process.
Embracing Mistakes in the Creative Process : Cultural art styles that let go of perfection
The Beauty of Wabi-Sabi
There’s a Japanese philosophy called wabi-sabi that celebrates the beauty of imperfection. It’s about finding elegance in the cracks and flaws—in the way life naturally unfolds. Think of kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. The cracks don’t hide; they shine. That’s what imperfection can do for art: it highlights its unique character.
Imperfection Mirrors Life
Life is messy. It’s full of detours, unexpected challenges, and beautiful surprises. Art reflects that. When we embrace imperfection, we’re not just accepting the quirks of our work; we’re celebrating the complexity of being human.
Courage in Creativity
It takes courage to show your imperfections to the world. Whether it’s sharing a painting with a smudge you couldn’t fix or publishing a blog post that doesn’t feel perfect, it’s scary. But the truth is, perfection is overrated. The courage to create and share is what truly matters.
So, the next time you’re creating something, don’t aim for flawless. Aim for honest. Let your mistakes guide you, teach you, and transform your art. Because creativity is, at its core, the courage of making mistakes—and finding the beauty in them.
Enjoy creating <3
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