Just what exactly is “perfect” and where do we formulate our notion of “perfection”?
I believe that perfectionism is the root of many an artist’s block.
I’ll never be good enough.
If I can’t do it as well as ____________, why try?
I’m not sure my idea is worthwhile.
What if I fail?
My project could never reach the beauty and perfection of the idea in my head.
We often talk ourselves out of doing something before we even get the chance to start.
I am reminded of something painter Agnes Martin once said:
“We cannot make anything perfectly but with inner contemplation of perfection, we can suggest it.”
I made this video because I’d like to invite you to pick up the reins of a project or piece that is waiting in the wings for the perfect time, the perfect place, materials, amount of money, the perfection of your skills, or whatever notion of perfection is preventing you from diving in.
See what happens.
And let us know, OK?
Responses to “What’s so great about perfect?”
Joy
Hi Michele,
Yes, yes!
Thank you for your wonderful, imperfect video about taking imperfect
action. Great reminder, and I appreciate your journey.
Blessings,
Joy
Melissa Dinwiddie
I love this, Michele! Allowing myself to take imperfect action is the only way I can get anything done!
Also, I love what an ex-boyfriend of mine always said: “Better is better.” Meaning start where you are, and tweak.
Whether you’re learning a new craft, putting up a website, recording a video, or cooking dinner, you’ve got to start somewhere, right?
Thanks for being such a great model of this with your lovely video. Yay for imperfect action!
Christine
Great post, Michele! And you ARE perfect, just the way you are. đŸ™‚ Isn’t it funny how the universe makes an example out of our intent?
I think your imperfection in your videos is part of what them so appealing–the real person is there connecting with us.
And I want to let you know that I was interviewed for an online magazine called The Fertile Source, along with some of my artwork. It is focused on women’s issues, motherhood, pregnancy, etc. You can see it at http://fertilesource.com
Jutta
Thank you for this post, you are sooo right. It was a thoughtful reminder of a discovery that took me 50 years of living to make – I hope others will get there earlier in life. Posts like yours hopefully help along the way.
I have been sabotaging myself for a very long time thinking that whatever I would do someone else had already done it and probably better, so why even try. As a result I had been waiting for a very long time to come up with something original not realizing of course that whatever I will create is by nature original – because no one else can ever do it the way I do, no matter if it’s better or worse or perfect or not. Stop comparing yourself too much, start looking for what’s inside you waiting to come out and enjoy the ride. Here a quote that I find very true and helpful:
Have your awareness on the task at hand and be detached from the outcome. This is karma yoga -Bhagvad Gita-
Michele Theberge
I love this quote from the Bhagvad Gita! I had not heard it before but it is EXACTLY what I teach in the Mindful Artist Mentorship Program. I talk about the difference in coming from a place of ego in our work or a place of service. Usually artists feel uncomfortable coming from a place of ego so the resist promoting their work because they feel that is the only way. They forget that their art is a service to others no matter how experienced or accomplished they are.
Roz C.
Delightful blog/vlog. It’s true that we can make ourselves unhappy over something whose whole purpose is to bring us happiness. How Crazy! Thank goodness I can still enjoy my childish innocence and have some fun and play. There’s time later to refine and perfect. Right now I just want to get started.
jewel lentz
HAA HAA YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD……..I NEEDED SOME CONFIRMATION TO START ANOTHER MEDIUM, MY PAINTING I THINK I WILL TAKE A BREAK FROM AND GO BACK TO AN OLD DREAM OF CREATING CLOTHS. I LOVE CLOTHS, FABRICS YUMMMY COLOR!!!.
WHAT A BLESSING YOU ARE TO US LITTLE PEOPLE OUT HERE MICHELLE, MAKING OUR WAY AS YOU ARE. YOU ARE A GIFTED AND KINDHEARTED, INTUITIVE TEACHER!!! THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU.
SINCERELY JEWEL I HAVE A FEW PAINTINGS ON FACEBOOK , ANYONE WANTS TO CHECK OUT, I CAN’T REMEMBER WHAT IS THERE, BUT FOR FUN HAVE A PEEK, LOVE TO SEE ANYONE ELSES STUFF IF YOU LIKE.
JEWEL
Marge Margison
I am surprised by how few people have commented on this video (just 3 on YouTube). I think this might be the most important one I’ve watched. It hit the nail on the head in explaining my almost complete inability to finish anything. I get all excited about a project, research how to do it, buy materials and then two things stop me. The first is my mother’s voice saying, “That cost a lot of money, you shouldn’t waste it”. The second is my own inner voice demanding perfection. If I am not immediately good at something, I do not continue with it; a trait which has caused a state of inertia.
My mother is an artist who grew up during the dirty 30’s and always worries about the cost of everything. She allowed me to use her acrylics only once. She gave me no instruction and came back an hour later and told me I was a waste of paint. That was my art training; so crushed was my ego that I did not even sign up for art classes in high school.
As I was researching making folk art sculptures twenty years ago, I read that paper mache was an imperfect art and no patter what, you can’t achieve perfection–so there is no point in trying. What that did was free me to create without the worry that the art was not perfect. I had no trouble starting and finishing project after project. I need to take that approach to other art forms.
I just love your videos, I have been watching several each day and getting very excited about trying some of the things you are talking about, Even so, the most important ones for me are the ones about ignoring my negative thoughts and as the Nike ads says, “just Do It”. Thank you, Michele!
Michele Theberge
Beautiful share, Marge! It takes a lot of courage and determination to bounce back creatively from such a discouraging start in life. It’s amazing that you persevered and found a way to express yourself despite such a crushing incident with your mother. I think your story would be a beautiful example for many.
This imperfect action thing is something I have to remind myself over and over about! So thanks for commenting here on the blog! I hope it’s OK if you share your writing with others. It really could serve as an inspiration for many!
Marge Margison
Thanks for responding, Michele. Share with everyone! I am happy to share with you what your videos have inspired me to make. The image below is the first mixed media piece I have done using pouring medium and foil.
A friend saw a painting and asked if I could create something similar to remind her of the koi pond they left behind when they moved. I went to see the picture and was reminded of your foil installation and thought that technique might work well for the fish. It was really fun trying to determine how to use the pouring medium and a hint of Liquitex ink to suggest that the top of the fish is rising to the surface.
This tiny canvas piece is a work in progress (it needs another coat or 2), but I am really pleased. Thanks for inspiring me.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/039d14b856e568216b3e81b49c97435722d921f47d71607f5028c5a252802c25.jpg
Michele Theberge
Love it! Beautiful! Thanks for sharing and I am glad to know photos can be shared on here! How cool! I hope more artists will follow your lead and share their artwork on this site. Would love to see the finished piece when it’s done!
Marge Margison
Thanks Michele, you are too kind. This piece was such a great learning experience on several levels. The funny part was discovering it is my striving for perfection that results in imperfection! I should have stopped a few steps back. When I saw something I didn’t like and thought I could fix it; all I did was make it worse. I also fell into the trap of “if one is good, two is better”. I loved the look of bubbles I got by spraying silver iridescent ink but pretty much ruined the whole thing by doing it again before the next layer of pouring medium; too much of a good thing is not a good thing! Live and learn.
On the up side, I had friends take a look and they all loved it, so I
am excited to try again. I will take what I learned and make another one
in a larger size and try to stop before I ruin it.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2c9463e58f212e4d54cb20514f042b1330dd88383a5b65266e68f7fef3c1a903.jpg
You may notice in the picture that this test run was done on a
miniature canvas (I didn’t want to waste pouring medium). The foil was
really hard to cut out accurately at that size.
Michele Theberge
Yes! Live and learn! You have to love your enthusiasm. Better enthusiastic and try things that don’t always work out than fearful to try things!