The beauty of bad art
for blocked artists, why making bad art is so important, my bad art actually creates my good art
There is no such thing as good art and bad art. There’s just art. And the opinion of whether you like it or not.
Hello darlings! Today I wanted to talk about something that is way too common among artists and it is something I have been working on for quite a while now and that is the fear of making bad art.
In a world that’s so obsessed with perfectionism, the concept of an artist making “bad art” seems completely counterintuitive.
However, in a world that only strives for perfection making the so called “bad art” is the most liberating thing that an artist can do.
Actually, the concept of making bad art is completely false. When you think about it that way, it can actually be really freeing.
The truth is bad art does not exist. Neither does good art. There is no such thing as good art and bad art. There’s just art. And the opinion of whether you like it or not.
Through the practice of allowing ourselves to make the so-called “bad art” we are not only liberating ourselves, but we are also giving us the opportunity for us, as the artists, to grow and expand and become much more creative.
Here are some ideas of why I believe that making bad art is so important.
Letting go perfection and creating without fear
We’ve all been there, we have this new idea of something that we want to create but the fear of making mistakes as producing something that can be deemed as “bad” completely paralyzes us.
By letting go of the idea that each time we create something it needs to be perfect, we open ourselves to the possibility of new experimentations and innovations in our artwork. The freedom that we give ourselves by letting go of perfection allows our creativity and immagination to flourish without the constraints of any judgment or expectation. Through these new ideas, unexpected discoveries in our artwork.
Learning through our failed pieces
If we do end up doing a piece of art that we don’t like or may consider as a “failure” then this can be the perfect learning opportunity to improve our artwork. By analyzing the things that didn’t work in that failed piece, we can refine our skills and techniques and further understand what it is that we do and don’t like if of our craft.
The courage of self-expression and showing our authentic selves
Perfectionism often stifles our true authentic ideas. Through aiminig to make perfect art, we often hide our authentic selves and create something that pleases others but not ourselves. Our so called “perfect” art doesn’t reflect who we really are as artists. Through the making of bad art, we allow our raw and unfiltered versions of ourselves to be seen. This is true self-expression. Through this, our art end up reflecting and expressing our authentic and unique selves and perspectives.
Encouraging innovation and new ideas
Something I’ve already touched on on a previous point but through the liberty of making bad art we may stumble through a new and innovating idea that may completely change ourselves as artists.
Also, if you think about it, throughout history many pieces of art that were considered “bad” during those times are now some of the grandest masterpieces to exist today. By stepping outside our traditional ways and expectations it may lead us to new innovations in art which we never thought possible. No piece of art that is ever made is a waste of time or resources. As long as something is being made, the purpose of an artist is always being fulfilled.
Expressing our childlike wonder
art is not only about creating our next big masterpiece but about expressing ourselves and finding magic in the art of creation.
Now this is something I’m really into. As children, we created art without a single care in the world of the final piece. When we finished a piece, if we liked it, we liked it and if we didn’t like it, we just made another one that we much rather liked. This type of creativity often fades as we grow up and begin to become extremely self-critical.
As adult artists, we may sometimes spend our entire lifetimes trying to create art as when were children. However, we can reclaim our childlike wonder by embracing and allowing us the freedom to make as much bad art as possible. Embracing our childlike wonder through our art, reminds us that art is not only about creating our next big masterpiece but about expressing ourselves and finding magic in the art of creation.
By embracing our bad art, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities and rediscover the true essence of our art. I hope that I’ve inspired you to create that piece of art that you’ve been thinking about for the longest time ever.
xoxo,
Victoria
p.s. this post was more of a reminder to myself when I become the crazy perfectionist I tend to become when something doesn’t go as I envision it. However, if I’ve inspired you to create something, please share it with me as I would love to see it!
I relate so much to this!! I love the concept of making bad art, truly has been the reason for mu improvement. I don’t know if you’re familiar with Amie Mcnee’s work (inspiredtowrite) but she talks a lot about this, making bad art and perfectionism. I think it would resonate with you <3