Make Glorious Messes
The power of embracing imperfection in art and life.
Hello, Friend,
Yesterday, after I sent out my post, I realized my illustration was more than a little wonky. It’s funny how you can look at things so intently that you can’t see them clearly. I made a few adjustments and it was better. I republished the edited version here on Substack. (It doesn’t send out another email.) Then I realized it was still wonky. One final effort reposted and though it’s still imperfect, it’s improved enough that I can move on with my life. It’s just a drawing. I’m flexing the muscles again.
I have recurring challenges with drawing faces. Faces are rarely symmetrical, but they’re also not usually overtly asymmetrical. Our eyes adjust, but only so much. I can solve some of this using an under sketch which is a little more complicated with digital art, but sometimes I just want to draw and see where it leads. Even with the final drawing, the eyes are not quite the same size. Eyes are usually not the same size, though. I decided to let that go and carry on with my life. If things are too perfect, they can feel artificial and cold.
Imperfection is interesting.
My final version.
Perfect? Nope. Perfectly imperfect.
Note the painting at the top of this post from Henri Matisse. Marguerite is a version of my name Margot, both are French. Henri wanted to tell me something this morning!
Merci, Henri.
I’ve only been making art with any seriousness for the past few years, prior to that I dabbled, doodled, and sketched. I have no formal training. I’ve been making jewelry and crafting for many years, but painting and drawing are different skillsets.
“Why would a 62 year old be just starting out making art? You’re never going to be as good as people who’ve been making art for years.”
“This is true. I will not. I don’t care, though, because I’m not a competitive human. I may not be ‘as good’ as someone else, but they’ll never be me. That’s my secret sauce.”
It’s important to keep stretching ourselves. Aging brains need to form new neural pathways. I’ve started doing the weekday New Yorker crossword puzzle along with the other daily games I play and my Babel French lessons. This is all in the interest of neural plasticity. Even if your drawings are wonky or you ‘fail’ at a game, there are significant benefits to your brain health. I have to remember this because I can be a real asshole to myself. I make art because I love making art. I can’t imagine not making art. Making the art is the point. The art is merely the detritus of the making.
Is it good or bad?
Is it perfect or imperfect?
Does that even matter?
Do you think Henri Matisse gives a shit if you think his painting is perfect?
Mais non!
For years as a craft expert (a.k.a. The Impatient Crafter) my mantra was ‘Make Glorious Messes.’ I wanted to free people from the need for perfection. Sometimes I have to free myself from the same trap.
Why be product driven when the process is where the juice lives?
People who never make mistakes aren’t stretching themselves enough.
It’s good to stretch.
It’s okay to make mistakes, that’s how we grow.
There are no failures beyond the failure to try.
Curiosity is the spice of life.
Make glorious messes!
Give yourself some grace.
No one is grading you, unless you’re in school.
This leads me to share something else.
This Substack is a work in progress. It is imperfect. It is messy. Like the writer and artist who sits behind the keyboard, it is evolving. I’m here for the juicy process. I’m so happy you’re here with me.
My friend Jen just launched a terrific new Substack and yesterday she talked about correcting creative mistakes and how it relates to our perception of time and also why using AI to ‘save time’ may not be such a great thing after all. Good stuff!
I’ll be back Friday. Be good to yourself until then.
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After years of artwork I did finally see that every human face is longer on one side and the features are not identical. This varies in degrees of difference from one person to another. Your artwork is filled with personality and it’s beautiful!
The best work is imperfect!!