embrace the imperfections
One quote that has fundamentally shifted my outlook of my own art is, “overthinking is the enemy of creativity”. I am an over thinker by nature. Not just an over thinker but an incredibly anxious over thinker. My mind loves self doubt and being overly critical of my work. Not too uncommon for artists. But for me it's not just with my art. It’s nearly all aspects of my life. My social anxiety can at times feel crippling. My depressions casts a shadow of doubt on just about everything. As if my brain wasn’t already moving fast enough I am also a perfectionist who needs routines. The routine part stems mostly from my health issues with cystic fibrosis (CF). An incurable disease like CF requires routine or else. All this to say oftentimes I have found myself in a battle with my own mind, my own thoughts, regarding my art. Whether it’s when I am on a photo walk and I talk myself out of taking a photo that I wanted to take. Or during the editing process toggling back and forth between sliders a big part of my photography has been trying to overcome overthinking.
Nature isn’t perfect. Neither is the animal kingdom nor anything of this world. Our art and bodies won’t be perfect either. It is those imperfections that give human made art its authenticity. Embrace the imperfections to find what’s real. You’ll also find that in my “about” section. This has been my personal mantra to help me overcome overthinking and my perfectionist ways. That’s not to say you shouldn’t fix any mistakes you make. But rather if it’s too late to fix them then I must not allow my brain to spiral over it. You just might learn something new trying to figure out ways to work with or around whatever the mistake may be. It would be hypocritical for me to say, “don’t get mad at yourself” because honestly this is one I still struggle with. I know I shouldn’t get mad at myself for making a mistake. But there are times when I find myself getting mad at “my stupid hands” as if my hands had any say regarding my dexterity issues. I don’t like the way I’m holding a brush or great my hands are cramping again. I don’t get mad at myself over these things as much as I used to. But I know I can do better and I want to do better. But if I waited to make art until my mind and body were in sync then I would probably never make art again.
Embrace the imperfections to find what’s real. This mantra has helped my brain find some much needed peace. It’s made editing time more enjoyable for me. It hasn’t made me a better painter 😅 (yet) but I am enjoying painting so much more now. There is so much unavoidable stress in our lives whether its health, job, school, relationships, etc our art shouldn’t be one of them. I know firsthand it’s easier said than done. My entire website has been overthought 🤷🏻♂️ but I am committed to actively work on it so that my art won’t suffer. Go make your imperfect art.
