No products in the cart.
Return To Shop
lately i’ve been stuck.
i keep painting over my paintings again and again, feeling like what i have to express just is not coming out.
then i realized i was completely stuck on the notion that whatever i painted had to be good.
i’d completely forgotten to find beauty in the process, knowing it’s not just about having a finished painting, but about the story that reveals itself through the layers.
and, for me, that story can’t possibly come through if i’m caught up in painting something beautiful.
for the next few weeks, i’m painting at the beach, so i’ve moved my studio to the sea. it’s the most perfect place. so i expected i’d be able to get right into painting, perfectly.
of course that didn’t happen.
i wasn’t even liking my backgrounds. everything i painted seemed to be a big mess.
i kept covering it up again and again.
finally i made myself commit to a few characters. but my heart wasn’t into it.
the more i kept painting, the more frustrated i felt, thinking i’d never be able to uncover another new character i loved again.
so i tried all of my tricks for getting unstuck.
i went out for tea and sketched outside in a gorgeous garden. and i had so much fun with these funny, little imaginary creatures sketched in my journal with sharpie.
but when ever i got back into the studio and started on canvas, i felt the pressure to paint something perfect again.
still, i kept painting. then finally it happened.
just when i thought nothing would click, i crossed through that brick wall and painted something i liked. something that finally resonated with what i was feeling inside.
my first thought was that what i’d painted wasn’t very cute. and it was far from perfect.
i realized i’d been lucky these last few weeks, feeling like i didn’t need to paint over my work again and again. looking back, my last few paintings felt easy.
but i’ve learned that the best new things are uncovered when i show up and paint again and again, whether i like it or not. and always when i feel just about to give up and don’t care what my artwork looks like anymore…that’s when the best new thing comes out and finally shows up on the surface.
these new pieces are an evolution of the long-nosed snooter paintings i’d started last year. i’d wanted to get back to them and, looking back, i remembered i’d had the same stuck-ness before i uncovered those snooter characters too. it’s just part of my creative process.
and i can’t wait to share these new paintings with you (as soon as the top-coats dry).
…………………..
ps. i’ve been putting the finishing touches on my website redesign with my lovely husband, brian.
he’s having a new year’s sale this month… 10% Off all website, blog and e-course design and development.
Leave a reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
HELLO
I'M JULIETTE
A painter, writer, and creator of The School Of Happy Painting, online courses to help you loosen up, let go, and develop your own unique style.
Join me for a Free Workshop!
Want to know how I create my paintings? Join this free workshop to learn the fundamental principles I use to paint with style and whimsy, from covering up the white space to final artwork. Follow along to paint your own character in 30 minutes.
Related posts
A few years ago, I wrote a novel about a magical world. I was one of 14 writers accepted into a 6 week writing workshop on the east coast. And when I finished my novel, I flew out to Washington DC to meet with my ideal literary agent. But then I got super scared and burned out. Because of that burn-out, I needed to heal... Continue reading
I used to be afraid to raise my hand in class. I’d learned that my ways of thinking and seeing were different from everyone else. When I shared an idea, I was often laughed at or told it was impossible. So I learned to stay quiet and be shy. When I was in the third grade we had an art project where we were supposed... Continue reading
Lately I’ve been going back to painting owls. For awhile I had been creating these very renaissance-style portraits with soft, realistic faces and incredible hair. I enjoyed that I could make them look very human, but still full of magic and color. While I still adore creating these flower girls, I found that these paintings were missing something. After countless attempts in the studio, many... Continue reading
7 comments on “it doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Lucy Chen
your little creatures are too cute, juliette. hope some of them will find their way on to your canvas one day.
Ann-Margaret {Ann-Margaret's Visions}
Such a sweet reminder ~ it really doesn't have to be PERFECT!! 🙂 And, just as we've chatted about so many times, if we can only let go of noting expectations before beginning we will enjoy the process so much more…and, just as you found, that creativity will then shine through! 🙂 I'm always in a bit of a battle with myself to just “let go, begin, and enjoy” rather than planning to paint as I imagine it should be! 🙂 Have fun enjoying the process, sweet friend! Can't wait to see all the surprises you will find! Hugs!
bellalullo
Adoro la tua arte, le tue figure sognanti e magiche… i am follow you!
Bellalullo
Sandra
This article helped me a lot. nothing has to be prefect. Having fun is all perfect. (My English is bad sorry) thanks for sharing this very inspiring experience
Lynda M. Metcalf
What a great post! I know exactly where you are coming from. Sometimes I put brush to canvas and it just doesn't look at all like I wanted. You just have let go of expectations. That can be so hard to do. Turning to a sketchbook or journal to play is a good idea. Loosen up and let go. I love those cute characters from your sketchbook!
Paintings
I can relate- not the flu but this nasty 3 week head cold that has made me sick in just about every way possible-including the need for antibiotics. So I know exactly
how you feel when you say you can't create. Your face came out great though. And I HOPE you feel better really really soon.
Marti Wills
oh i think this is terribly adorable!