Introduction
In a world that often prizes perfection, the concept of creating intentionally “ugly” paintings may seem counterintuitive. However, this practice can offer profound insights into accepting imperfection and embracing the natural flow of life. My journey with creating “bad” paintings has led to valuable lessons about letting go of control, understanding the essence of acceptance, and finding joy in the process rather than the outcome. In this blog, I’ll explore how this exercise has transformed my perspective on art and life, helping me to navigate the messiness of both with a newfound sense of ease and freedom.
the Challenges of creating "Ugly" Paintings
Creating intentionally “ugly” paintings can be both a challenge and a release, depending on your perspective. Personally, I find it liberating and practice it frequently. However, this process is not without its difficulties.
1. The Urge to “Fix” and Improve
A significant challenge in this process is the urge to “fix” or improve the painting. Even though the goal is to create something intentionally unrefined, I often find myself battling the impulse to clean up and perfect it. For instance, I might try to add lighter shades or make adjustments to salvage the painting, but this contradicts the purpose of the exercise, which is to embrace imperfection.
2. Recognizing and Overcoming Perfectionism
This desire to make things look better is a common struggle. It’s important to recognize when this urge arises, especially if you’re given an exercise to create something intentionally “ugly.” If you’re preoccupied with how the painting will be perceived on social media or are concerned about how it reflects on you, this can hinder your ability to fully engage in the messy stages of the creative process. The need to create something visually appealing, even when the exercise is about making something intentionally unattractive, can prevent you from exploring and growing as an artist.
3. The Importance of Embracing Imperfection
Recognizing and overcoming this desire is crucial. For me, regularly practicing the creation of “ugly” paintings helps me break free from the habit of striving for perfection and seeking validation. This exercise also helps me move beyond the ego’s need for praise and recognition. By allowing myself to make a mess, I can embrace the creative process more fully and discover new possibilities, which ultimately leads to more freedom and innovation in my art.
4. Observing Impulses and Tendencies
During these exercises, I often find myself tempted to smooth out areas, add layers of paint, or attempt to salvage the work. These tendencies reveal my internal struggle with letting go. The exercise becomes a way to observe and understand these impulses, allowing me to accept and even embrace the messiness.
Life Lessons from Artistic Messiness
The process of creating intentionally “ugly” paintings offers valuable life lessons about letting go of control. It can be a humbling experience to realize that you can’t simply force something to be good; sometimes, you have to wait for good things to happen naturally. This is similar to how you can’t always make good things happen in life by constantly striving for them. Instead, when you stop trying so hard, good things often come about on their own.
This understanding can be a bit of a blow to the ego, as it challenges the notion that success comes solely from effort and control. Embracing the messiness in art teaches you that sometimes the most valuable outcomes emerge when you let go of the need to force a specific result. By applying this lesson to both your art and your life, you can learn to accept and appreciate the natural flow of events, finding that good things often happen when you least expect them.
The Freedom in Making a Mess
Creating “ugly” paintings can be a liberating experience, offering a chance to make a mess, express emotions, and have fun—much like we did when we were kids. As children, we didn’t worry about how our paintings looked; we were simply proud of our creations. However, as we grew older, we often internalized the judgment of adults who might have dismissed our efforts or critiqued them, leading us to either stop painting or focus on creating beautiful works solely for approval.
Returning to this childlike approach can be incredibly freeing. By allowing yourself to embrace messiness and creativity without concern for external validation, you can reconnect with the pure joy of art-making. Just as children do, you can find satisfaction in the process itself, rather than the end result. Let’s remember to channel that carefree spirit and let ourselves enjoy the creative journey, free from the pressures of perfection and approval.
Insights on Accepting Imperfection
My coach once told me that we are conditioned to excel since childhood —first in school, then in college, and later in our careers—which makes it difficult to accept being “last.” Learning to accept ourselves while coming last can lead to deeper insights about what truly matters.
Learning to accept imperfection, especially through creating “bad” paintings, has led to profound realizations about what truly matters in life. Embracing the idea of being okay with not always being at the top and not achieving immediate success has been crucial in understanding how to maintain a steady and neutral approach to life. It’s about finding stability and balance rather than being swayed by the highs and lows.
This exercise in creating intentionally flawed artwork has taught me to be more comfortable with imperfections, both in my art and in life. By allowing myself to engage with “bad” paintings without the urge to fix them, I’m learning to accept life as it is, without trying to control or manipulate outcomes. This acceptance helps me avoid interrupting the natural flow of life and lets things pass through me as they will.
It’s this innate desire to control—whether in art or life—that often makes things difficult and stifles our growth as individuals and as artists. By learning to be okay with imperfections and letting go of the need to constantly improve or fix, I am growing more comfortable with the natural course of events. This process has been invaluable in helping me understand and embrace the unpredictability of both art and life.
