My Anti-Perfectionist Manifesto: Why ‘Happy Accidents’ are Essential

As many of you know, I consider myself a ‘recovering perfectionist’ - a phrase I first heard from our very own Sai Banerjee. I am not afraid to admit that, for most of my life, the fear of the blank page has often paralysed me creatively.  What's worse is that I see it every day amongst our students too.

I often finish an online class with the quip “And remember, this is supposed to be fun!”  It might raise a smile, but how often does it actually sink in?  That’s what inspired this Anti-Perfectionist Manifesto; it’s time to channel our inner Bob Ross and start embracing the ‘happy accident’.

In our digital lives, we are surrounded by the myth of perfection. It is easy to believe that, to enjoy something, you have to be perfect at it. But that's not the case; in the world of handmade art and crafts, perfection isn’t just unattainable, it’s the enemy!

So, how do we overcome it? Well, let's start simple. For now at least, forget about buying that new paintbrush (you know, the one you are just sure will be the one that makes the difference) and instead let's focus together on using the most powerful tool in our stash: letting go of perfection.

Follow the Japanese wisdom of Wabi-Sabi

Our tutor, Sharon Zeugin, introduced me to the concept of wabi-sabi.  A centuries-old philosophy, embraced by Japanese tea masters and artists, which finds beauty in that which is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.

Wabi: Originally meaning rustic simplicity, freshness, or quietness; it now refers to the beauty of natural, simple, and humble objects.

Sabi: Originally meaning withered or degraded; it now signifies the beauty that comes with age, wear, and patina.

When a ceramic bowl breaks, it is often repaired with gold - a process called Kintsugi -which makes the crack the most beautiful and honest part of the object. When you allow a ‘mistake’ - the slight wobble in a hand-drawn line of calligraphy or the natural variation in the tension of a hand-twined basket - you are practicing this same honesty.

Don't forget, you are creating a piece of work that was made by a human, not a machine. Reframe your thoughts – these aren't errors, they are the ‘soul’ of your piece.

Mistakes are where the learning happens

Neurologically speaking, we don’t actually learn that much when everything goes right; our brains are wired to update our skills when we encounter errors. Someone once told me that "frustration is just the feeling of your brain getting smarter".

It is the serendipitous moments - the paint splodge that forces you to change your design or the stitch line that goes slightly awry - that forces your brain into active problem solving mode.  

From a science point of view, it stacks up. That 'uh-oh' moment triggers a release of epinephrine and acetylcholine, chemicals that act like a light switch for your neurons. Basically your brain is saying, 'pay attention, we’re about to get better'.

One of the reasons I love our online classes so much is that they are unedited, even the recordings; we leave in any slips, spills, or frustrations.  Seeing a tutor face the same struggles you did, and how they moved forward from it, is teaching gold and I'm here for it. 

Work with traditional materials to avoid the temptation to ‘undo’

Digital art is wonderful, and I'm not bemoaning the use of software like ProCreate, but the ‘undo’ button can create a bit of a safety net that actually hinders your creativity and your confidence. When every stroke feels reversible, it can lead to a lack of intention.

When you work with traditional materials, every mark is a commitment. It feels scary at first, especially when you're working on pricey paper or with real gold, but I promise it is worth it. 

It can help you become more present, more mindful, and more connected to your piece.  It can also lead to a wonderful state of deep focus – something I talked about in my recent post ‘Why 'Slow Art' is the ultimate antidote to our busy lives’.

Wear that 'all the gear and no idea' badge with pride!

When did we forget that it is OK to be a beginner? I suspect it may have something to do with the millions of perfectly polished, highly edited videos of art we see circulating but more about my thoughts on that in my next blog!

It is important to remember that we all have to start somewhere.  As our tutor Mary Noble says, “you wouldn’t buy a pair of ballet shoes and expect to be able to dance Swan Lake”.  Learning to work with your materials, rather than against them, is all part of the process.

Find joy in the things you didn't plan.  The next time your hand slips or your ink bleeds, don’t screw it up or immediately reach for a new sheet of paper....

Pause

Breathe (swear under that breath if you need to)

Then ask yourself: "OK, what can I do with this mark?”

And remember, practice doesn't make perfect; practice makes permanence which, in my opinion, is way better!

Are you ready to make some beautiful mistakes?  Join me online soon. Remember, our classes are friendly, unedited, and strictly ‘perfection-free’ zones!