Look, I’m gonna say something controversial
Art isn’t about perfection. It’s about feeling, about chaos, about the messy, beautiful truth of being human. I’ve been in this industry for 20+ years, and let me tell you, the most ‘successful’ artists I know are the ones who embrace the mess, not run from it.
I remember back in 1998, I was at this tiny gallery in Brooklyn (let’s call it ‘The Dump’ because honestly, that’s what it looked like). There was this piece, just splashes of paint, no real structure, no clear message. But it moved people. It made them feel things. That’s art, folks.
Why perfection is overrated
We’ve been sold this lie that art has to be perfect. Polished. Refined. Bullshit. I was talking to my friend Marcus about this last Tuesday over coffee. He’s a sculptor, been doing this for 15 years. He said, ‘Lisa, the day I start worrying about making everything perfect is the day I should quit.’ And I’m like, ‘Preach, Marcus. Preach.’
I mean, look at the Impressionists. They were all, ‘Hey, let’s paint blurry pictures and call it a day.’ And now? They’re hanging in the Louvre. Because they captured something real. Something imperfect.
The problem with ‘professional’ art
Here’s the thing about ‘professional’ art. It’s often so concerned with being professional that it forgets to be art. I was at this conference in Austin, Texas, about three months ago. Some hotshot art director was going on about ‘brand consistency’ and ‘target audiences’. I wanted to scream. Art isn’t about brands. It’s not about targets. It’s about connection.
I had this colleague named Dave. Brilliant guy. But he got so caught up in what he thought the ‘market’ wanted that his work lost its soul. It was all technique, no heart. And then one day, he just stopped. Quit his job, moved to a cabin in the woods, and started painting again. For himself. Guess what? His work got better. Way better.
Embrace the chaos, people
So here’s my advice. Embrace the chaos. Make a mess. Break the rules. I’m not saying throw technique out the window. But don’t let it dictate your art. Remember that piece I saw at The Dump? It wasn’t perfect. But it was real. And that’s what resonated with people.
And look, I get it. We all want to be ‘successful’. But success in art isn’t about sales or fame. It’s about creating something that moves people. That makes them feel something. That’s it. That’s the whole point.
Oh, and if you’re looking for some practical tips on living a more creative life, check out these sürdürülebilir yaşam pratik ipuçları. Honestly, they’re a game-changer. (Okay, fine, I used one of those words. But it’s true!)
A quick tangent: the art of everyday life
You know what else is art? Life. The way the light hits your coffee cup at 11:30pm. The sound of your neighbor’s dog barking at nothing. The way your grandma laughs at her own jokes. It’s all art. And it’s all imperfect. And that’s what makes it beautiful.
I think we could all learn a thing or two from that. From embracing the imperfections. The chaos. The messy, beautiful truth of it all.
So go ahead. Make a mess. Break the rules. And for the love of god, stop worrying about perfection.
About the Author
Lisa Thompson has been a senior editor for various art magazines for over 20 years. She lives in Brooklyn with her cat, Picasso, and spends her weekends yelling at people to appreciate the imperfections in life. You can find her on most social media platforms @lisa_thompson_art.
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