I wish I hadn’t made some of the coral so dark.
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes.” – Scott Adams
Life Lessons
One of the most freeing pieces of advice I ever received was the one given to me by a Weber State University art professor.
Quick sketch of a barn
“Give yourself permission to paint a bad picture,” he said, then gave us the assignment to do just that.
I absolutely hated the “bad” painting I did for the assignment. But when the professor posted all of the students’ “bad paintings” on the wall, he pointed out what he liked in each of them. I was dumbfounded at what he liked in mine, but in reconsidering I did see a few elements of saving grace in my ugly picture.
While I never did come to like that painting, I did learn from the exercise. From that time foreword, I’ve given myself permission to paint a bad picture every time I have a blank piece of paper or canvas in front of me. It frees me enough that I can actually paint without having to worry about messing up. That’s good because I always do.
I can honestly say I’ve never painted a piece that I felt was perfect — and probably never will. It’s the same with my writing. I can always see ways, after a piece is published, where I could have made the words sing more vibrantly, or whisper more gracefully.
Perfection simply isn’t within me. But that’s OK. It’s the imperfections that make me who I am – and unique.
Blog pick of the day.
Bean Pat: Leanne Cole Photography http://tinyurl.com/ohj4k9t Abbotsford Convent, a delightful blog for the armchair traveler.
Pat Bean's blog 