I am a consummate perfectionist and highly self reflective. There is absolutely no doubt that both of these terms are accurate descriptions of parts of my makeup. The combination of these two traits can be very rewarding when things are going favorably because I can take pride in doing things well, but this combination can be very destructive when things are not going well.
For the record – Things are going well.
However, I am working on embracing imperfections in life. I once believed that perfection was a very noble pursuit. Pursuing perfection, in my mind, meant that excellence was a logical outcome. I have learned that perfection is an illusive and unachievable goal.
This is part of why I started my 365 project over at Graphite and Ink. But I am finding it very difficult to embrace the imperfections of my art. Perhaps it’s because my memory is that I was a better artist when I was younger. I was – it was easier for me when I was young, but I was also practicing a lot more.
I’m ten days into the project. I’ve been faithful to post a single picture from the day on the site. I’m really enjoying it, and yet, my most recent post is highly disappointing to me.
Perhaps I just need to practice more.
I think you’re being too hard on yourself, Sancho. I like the salt marsh drawing. If you wanted to imitate the photo, you could, but it would take days, weeks maybe of painstaking marks on the paper. You’d be sure to get a crick in your neck. And what’s the point of that? Photorealism is best left to photography, in my opinion.
The other thing is that there are artists out there striving for the qualities I see in this sketch. And there are artists out there who hate everything they do because they don’t take the time to do sketches (me for instance). Jen just corrected my grammar. She hates me.
Point is, have fun. Perfection is for fuck ups.
Photorealism is best left to photography
Good advise – I think the reason I stopped drawing in college was a function of not having enough time to create drawings that were 100% realistic.
Oh, and tomorrow i got an assignment for you. Draw something purely out of your imagination. Something infantile, like a robot or and imaginary vehicle, or a monster. Make it really messy and go crazy!
I will do that, though most of what’s on this site so far came from my mind’s eye. I made a really awesome card for Mrs. TKD tonight.
it’s cute how you mis-spelled iperfction
Gawddambit
I had to fix that…
this is one of my favorite artists right now: http://www.erikotto.com/currentwork.htm
Now I understand the recent obsession with birdhouses!
nope, I was doing birdhouses before him. easily a year and a half ago.
you guys are both weird!
but wonderful
them apples don’t fall far from the tree, as they say