Friday, August 29, 2008

Perfectionism in Art

I use to say I was a perfectionist, everything had to be just right. It`s a wonder I ever sold anything. Now as I think on this topic , I realize it was more of a control issue and went right along with the wanting to please others, wanted them to think highly of my skills. This is all an illusion because people don`t think alike. What may be perfect to me , is not acceptable to someone else, they would never do it that way! they might say. So the need to make it perfect was a need to control the situation in a way. If I make it perfect, I`ll be accepted, or I`ll make money from it and that gives me have value as a person. This was my thinking. I was chasing an illusion of how I thought it would turn out. If I do A B C perfectly, D will come along. But then I tried to put something out for sale that wasn`t perfect in my mind. Someone came along and loved it. I realized how limiting my thinking was to this "perfect" box I was in. The box is small ,not much space to move in there. A mistake isn`t always a mistake, it may just be in your mind, not someone elses. Doing your art and letting it come into being without giving it descriptive words, could be a way to stretch yourself and open up. I see perfectionism as constricting and critical. Who says what is perfect? How many things haven`t come into being because someones negative thoughts while creating?
Now when I make something, I just do it , enjoy the doing. I think of what the old me would be doing right now, but then I am aware that I`m not that way anymore, sometimes it`s hard to get use to a new way of being, even confusing sometimes, but I keep staying in the moment. Just some thoughts, may be helpful to someone. Melanee

4 comments:

Lana Manis said...

Very well said Melanee. I am slowly learning to do what I love and enjoy and the rest will come.

Tina said...

I like your thoughts on this subject. thanks for sharing them
T

Colleen MacKinnon; Penny Rugs and More said...

Mel, I love your new blog format! Haven't chatted to you in awhile but I felt compeled to comment on this post. I too went down the perfectionism road and have found a new path. Amen, to staying in the moment and letting the flow just happen! Things come more easily now for me and the rewards and blessing follow.

Colleen MacKinnon; Penny Rugs and More said...

Hello Mel, haven't chatted to you in a long while! I felt I just had to comment on your post. I was a perfectionist once too. Boy, when I dumped that persona and lifestyle I was easier to live with, happier and more creative! There was never enough time in the day to get everything done that I wanted. Perfection made it impossible. Now, my floors could be cleaner, I'd like to be able to look out clear windows, but hey...I like to stitch more! And oh yes, play with my grandchildren!