How do I know if a painting is finished or not?
This blog comes as a response to a question I get asked (and often ask myself) at least every week. How do I know if my painting is finished or not?
If you have found yourself wondering if your artwork is ever going to be "finished", or maybe you're constantly second-guessing whether it's even good enough to show to anyone else, this is the blog for you.
Before we get too deep, I want to just reassure you, you are NOT alone.
Our creativity is a deeply personal journey, one that often takes us through a maze of emotions, including excitement, frustration, and, perhaps most significantly, uncertainty. This uncertainty can manifest in various ways: questioning if a piece is truly finished, keep adding to it until it is over worked, or wondering if it's good enough to share with others. It's a struggle that we all face all the time. I have many pieces hanging in my studio that I feel are just not finished, so they hang there. I will take them down and work on them when inspiration hits and I know, in that moment, I am feeling my way through my work. It is important to remember that it's not just the result, the final piece of art but the process, the time you spend doing what you love and your own feelings that matter most.
New work - Together we live -
Perfectionism – The enemy of creativity
Oh, trying to be perfect.! We keep tweaking, adjusting, and fiddling with our work, in the hope that we can make it flawless.
But here's the thing…
When it comes to art, there is no such thing as "perfect". Art is subjective so what may appear as perfect to one person could feel soulless to someone else. The most important thing is how you feel when you look at your art. If it speaks to your soul, you will a huuuuge smile on your face. After all, you create because you enjoy it and it makes you feel happy.
Embrace the Creative Chaos
As I mentioned earlier, the journey matters as much as the destination. Trust me, there are times when you feel you are caught up in the most complex maze with dead ends at every turn. Don’t be afraid of the chaos – that's where the magic happens. Embrace it! It's when you're doubting and experimenting that you will find your way through the “ugly” phase into something perfectly imperfect.
I love the energy that flows through me as I work, will everything come out truly amazing first time? No! And I am happy about that. Think how boring if you just made the perfect piece every time… that would be no fun after a while.
Trusting your creative intuition
Art is an expression of your thoughts and emotions and opens up your subconscious mind. When you get that feeling of doubt, take a step back, relax and trust your intuition. Tune out the inner critique, listen to your inner voice, and the whispers of your heart, it is these that will guide you through the creative process.
Give yourself time and space to look at your art and really focus on how it makes you feel. If it resonates with you, you have succeeded. Celebrate that.
Sharing your artwork
This is often the hardest step. You have poured your heart and soul onto the canvas and now comes “judgement day”. We all crave validation and recognition but it is important to remember that we do not all speak the same language. Some people will not get what you are trying to express in your art – and that is OK!! We are also at different stages in our creative journey. Do not let people judge your art from what they think good art or success is.
To get the support you need, look for groups where other artists, who share your kind of style, hang out. I have two Facebook Communities, Find Your Flow for members of my online courses and Jenny Grant’s Mixed Media Art Community that is open to everyone. Both groups are super supportive and there is always someone that will answer questions and give you feedback (and reassurance).
Don't let the fear of criticism or indifference stop your creativity. Share your work when you're ready, and don't let anyone's opinion define your self-worth. Remember, the right audience will find your art and appreciate it for the masterpiece it is.
Feeling uncertain about your artwork is part of our creative journey. Trust your instincts and embrace every emotion that comes your way. If we numb ourselves to feeling “negative” emotions, we often dilute the positive emotions. Your creative time is there for you, for your wellbeing and as a way to let your emotions out. What comes from the journey is a beautiful and authentic piece of art that reflects you – and that is a magical thing.
Keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself and enjoy the adventure.
Join me for Make Create Express
I am so excited as my first lesson for the wonderful Make Create Express workshop will go live on 19th November.
Play to Practice
In this class we will play with collage and mark making in a relaxed way. Together we will explore how we can use scrap papers and simple marks to create something that we really like. This project is all about exercising our skills of seeing what we like and making decisions on what to do next. By using this process we grow in confidence and it helps you develop your skills as an artist.
There is still time to join this fantastic workshop and join me and 25 other artists to ignite your creative spark and learn new processes and techniques.
