How to Overcome Perfectionism as an Artist

Perfectionism has stopped more artists from creating than a lack of talent ever has.

Many artists believe every painting needs to become a masterpiece. But that mindset often keeps us from finishing anything at all. I've learned that the secret to becoming a better artist isn't creating perfect paintings, it's creating more paintings.

The more you make, the more you grow.

I'm Not a Perfectionist—I'm a Messy Artist

People assume I’m a perfectionist because I’m an artist. i’m a perfectionist because I’m an artist. But the opposite is true. I am very messy. I work hard on cleaning up my messes. But when I’m in my creative zone, I am very messy. Whether it is cooking, choosing outfits, and, of course, painting, it gets very messy. And I don’t think anything has to be perfect. Sure I want the food to taste good and I want my outfit to look nice and I want my painting to be great, but I don’t obsess over details. I don’t follow recipes very well.

I never seem to have all of the ingredients on hand that I need to make the meal so I substitute things all the time. My family laughs at me because I wasn’t organized enough to make sure I got to the grocery store to buy all the ingredients I needed to make the recipe. But I am too spontaneous to worry about stuff like that. I just trust that things will work out. Even if my substitutions in a meal are ridiculous. I realize very quickly that not all flours are created equal. So the biscuits were a little harder than I wanted them to be. So what? They were OK and my family was fed.

My outfits can be a little crazy. I love to match and mix unusual colours and texture combinations, but I like them and my outfits make me happy. My hair is wavy and out-of- control, but I’ve learned to live with the messy look. Sometimes paint is in my hair or my clothes when I run out to do an errand. But, people remember me. And my husband says "You’re an artist, so you can get away with it.”

Why Painting More Makes You a Better Artist

I don’t really struggle with obsessing over a single painting for months at a time. I love the feeling of accomplishing a work in a shorter amount of time. I became quicker at painting when my son was little. When he was a baby and still taking naps, they say that you should nap when your baby does, but I felt the urgency to create when he was sleeping. Yes, I was exhausted, but I loved the feeling I had that I accomplished something that day as a young mom. I was slowly adding to my collection. It also helped me with discipline. I could push through even though I was tired and create art.

Progress Is More Valuable Than Perfection

My desire to be imperfect, has given me the freedom to be quite prolific, and produce thousands of paintings over the last 30 years. You can obsess over a single piece for a long period of time and have one piece of art to show for it. Or, you could paint something as best you can, and then move on and paint another and another and another. In my opinion, painting more paintings makes you a better painter. Not obsessing over one single painting for months or even years.

Painting more paintings also allows you to see your progression. You can see how you’ve improved. And if every single painting you painted was a masterpiece, then are any of them really that special? Sure, I paint to accomplish a great painting at the end of the painting session, but I never start out thinking that I’m going to create a masterpiece. One out of every one or two or 300 paintings is exceptional. And I like it that way. If a few stand out over the course of my career, then I am satisfied.

Let Your Art Go Into the World

All of the paintings that I make are not just for me. They are meant to go out into the world. I create everyday. I imagine, create and then scatter. I will scatter the art like seeds. Seeds planted in people’s homes that will live on to share and tell stories. Speak to someone in a time of grief and loss or celebrate a meaningful time.

Create More, Worry Less

Perfectionism promises better art, but in my experience it often creates less art. The artists who grow aren't necessarily the most talented—they're the ones who keep showing up. Paint another canvas. Write another page. Finish another piece. Every finished work teaches you something the unfinished masterpiece never will. Create often, let go of perfection, and trust that your best work will emerge because you kept going. Create art for the love of it. Remove the perfection element,  and then you are free to create your true authentic art.