NOT PERFECT
Portrait experiment. I kind of like it. What do you think? 14”x 11”, acrylic and charcoal on wood. © 2018 David Limrite
“I don’t know in advance what I am going to put on canvas anymore than I decide before hand what colors I am going to use.”
Pablo Picasso
Not Perfect
The pursuit of perfection can be a tricky thing.
Don’t get me wrong. Trying to be the best artist you can be, create the best art that you can and master your chosen medium and techniques are noble pursuits and definitely worth your time and effort.
But perfection?
Is there even such a thing?
I have never seen it or experienced it.
Does perfection mean that there is absolutely nothing wrong what-so-ever with your painting?
I don’t know about you, but in my 40 years of making art, I have never achieved perfection. I have never created anything that didn’t have something wrong with it.
I do not think that there is such a thing as perfection. I’ll bet if you asked every artist from Michelangelo to Picasso, none of them would be able to proudly state that they created the perfect painting. Not being able to create the perfect painting is what keeps artists making paintings.
Here is where you can get into trouble with perfection. Just the idea of not being able to attain perfection can stop you from even engaging in the process of making art. And we all know that the process is where it’s at in terms of creativity.
So, if the idea of not being able to attain perfection stops you from even trying to create - you need to re-evaluate your goals for being an artist.
How about fun, learning, time spent or process? To name a few.
Perfection is not your friend.
Be an artist. Create. Make stuff. Focus on process. Have fun. Explore. Experiment. Try stuff. Make the best painting that you can. Learn from it. And then make another one that is even better.
It does not have to be perfect.
Best,
David
[UPCOMING EXHIBIT]
A ROOMFUL OF GHOSTS
SAN LUIS OBISPO MUSEUM OF ART
1010 Broad Street San Luis Obispo CA 93401 | (805) 543-8562
October 5 - December 2, 2018
I will be an artist-in-residence at the museum for the entire two month run of the show creating 10 new paintings from start to finish. Come watch me work, ask questions and follow my progress. Save the date and stay tuned for more details.