For the longest time, I used to think art was all about creating something important, influential; that it all had to have a meaning, and anything less than that was a failure. This way of thinking also applied to everything outside of art, flowing out into my daily life. To say this was detrimental to my health would be an understatement.
I’m sure we all suffer from perfectionism, or seeking out importance in our work. We may think that this is a positive mind-set to have and that having it can help us achieve great things.
In truth, this is exactly what holds us back.
If everything we do, whether it’s creating art or simply performing our jobs, is intended to be at our very best, we’ll be met with constant disappointment in ourselves for not doing it ‘perfectly’.
This is why I was grateful to be given the opportunity to host a focused art session recently, where I took a few attendees to the woods and encouraged them to draw, without any expectations for the end result.
The activity was simple: just draw. I felt it was important to have a drawing from life session, as the trees and surroundings were there, they were present; attendees could focus on what was in front of them, not what was happening inside them.
Another reason was that drawing from imagination can lead to the art not living up to our fantasised expectations, causing unhappiness and even self doubt. I didn’t want that for this session.
This session, surrounded by the outdoors and drawing for pleasure, provided a calm, relaxing atmosphere for those involved. No expectations for creating a masterpiece, and no pressure for making something important.
Doing something like this doesn’t even have to specifically involve drawing. Any leisure activity we can do can help lessen our perfectionism and self doubt driving our actions.
Once we stop trying to be perfect and make every little thing we do mean something, in order to validate ourselves, we have more of a chance at feeling truly fulfilled and happy.
Here’s what the attendees had to say about the session:
“I really enjoyed the session and found it very relaxing. It’s something I would never have tried myself, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I was also surprised as I thought my drawing looked ok despite not having drawn anything for about 40 odd years!” – Chris Lucas.
“Thank you for inviting me to join you on the mediation & art session. I must say it was one of the most enjoyable lunch breaks I have every had!! To take a break and wander through the wood to find a nice quite clearing to sit and ‘be’ is something that we should see as a luxury and make time to do more often. To add in some gentle drawing and sketching allowed my mind to properly clear and by the end my pencil was just flowing.” – Vikki Woodhouse.
This blog was written by Inner8’s Art Intern Nico Loach