19 Jan
Other Musings
‘Too Important’
Oscar Wilde said
‘Some things are too important to be taken seriously.’
I take this into consideration for both writing and painting. Both are important to me, and both are too important for me to take seriously.
Because…
I have found that the minute I do take them seriously, a sort of leak develops.
One in which the excitement of creating—an energy all unto itself—begins to fade away, drip by sneaky drip.
The grip of seriousness squeezes out the very life of what held the promise of joy.
And then I remember…
Perfection may impress, but if I choose to not take this creative thing too seriously… if I get out of my own way…
I get a shot at making something that touches the soul.
And that’s what matters.
Maya Angelou said that people will forget what you said and they will forget what you did but they will never forget how you made them feel.
I think about this when I write and when I paint.
We get a chance to make ourselves—and if we’re lucky—another soul or two feel something. What a sacred job that is. We don’t arrive there by being perfect.
When the work has five mistakes, it is not yet completed. When it has eight mistakes, it might be.
~ Rick Rubin
A word about the painting shown:
A Rose in Paris is a painting I did while in Paris several years ago. It seemed a little imperfect and non-serious when I did it.
It still does. And I love it for this very reason.
Just know, sometimes a painting is a place where two hearts connect.
And you (and your art) have more impact than you will ever know.
Hi Dreama, this is Kathy Kilen, one of your past Dreamettes. Your message meant a lot to me. I slowed way down on my painting…being too serious…too perfect. I realized I had lost my joy. I asked God for guidance and he used you. Blessings:)
Oh Dreama, I love your thoughts! When I signed up for Timeless In Tuscany with my friend Etta Yeary (At about age 70) I hadn’t touched and artist paintbrush since college when my prof looked at my watercolor of a burned out mansion done alfresco and her comment was oh, I dont know. Maybe it would be better if you spilled your water on it! To say I was intimidated by the oil process I had never been exposed to is to put it mildly, but soldier on I did. I was amazed that my first painting you guided me through was not too embarrassing ! After my time spent with you i was led by a God Nudge to try felting. And i have been consumed by it! We a were buried in my work,but i had no intention of stopping. Following a few more nudges I found three outlets that would accept my work and sold about 100 pieces in 2023! And the part the kills me about that is how many of the pieces were wonky, silly and very folk-arty. There is no explaining taste, but bless all who saw something in my work. It gives me such pleasure to do and the fact there are some buyers out there helps me support my habit. So thank’s to you and my friend Etta, at75 I’m having the time of my life!! Since 2-D felting is kind of a new thing, i am self taught and. Continue to strive for improvement and in the meantime having a ball. Thanks agaijn for guiding me to the happiness in creating. My mantra is “I wonder if i can….”
Your devoted Mentee(don’t know if that’s a word),
Janice Leer
LOVE this letter. The quote about 8 mistakes was something that burned into my brain when you spoke it in our video. It makes it so much lighter to paint and also fun to go back and find them!! I can look at paintings I have done and finally consider them complete, mistakes and all!
This so resonates with me – when I am learning something new I get caught up in doing the exact thing I need to do and fearing mistakes. When I just need to go at it a lot more relaxed and with fun in my heart
You absolutely speak to my soul about not being too serious about making a painting! But rather feel the joy of the scene. I am finding my way to what I really desire to create. And so your writing is right on. After all, there are only happy flowers in my garden! My flower beds are not serious but a little wild, which produces masses of glorious colors. Figuring out some architecture to ground the scene has been fun! Its good to be grounded when impulsive and a little wild. I see you usually have something to ground your scenes, a chair, building or flower pot. But its always fun! It has been the best being on this journey with you! You are like the big sister sharing all her prized stuff with her little sisters! Thank you!
I love this rose. It inspires me to pick up my brush again!
I think you’re saying, there’s beauty in imperfection. I love that! Thanks for sharing your art and writing!
Taking a painting too seriously rings true with me. My art teacher told me to use a bigger brush and stop trying to be so detailed. Free up my strokes. It makes perfect sense.
I’m always both touched and inspired by your paintings and your thoughts. Although I’ve dabbled in painting for 35 years, perfection (photographic renderings) has been my focus. I want to paint looser, most often I work in oils, now & then in watercolors. My professional career was as a nurse… assisting in surgery, administration, and teaching in university settings, Now, at almost 77, macular degeneration alters my vision, and arthritis in my hands make many things far more difficult. You inspire me to veer from precision in my art… my new approach in February. Thank you.
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