Is your painting in the “ugly” stage?

There comes a time in every piece where it feels like a disaster. You stand there, looking at your canvas, and wonder how you got yourself into this mess. The colors are wrong, the shapes don’t make sense, and all your brushstrokes have conspired against you. The “ugly” stage.

“If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent van Gogh

The “ugly” stage is not an indication of failure. If your painting feels off, it’s probably because you’re pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. Slogging through the messy middle creates powerful work. Be willing to take risks, make mistakes, and get uncomfortable.

John J – Gabriel Mark Lipper – Oil on Panel  – 18″x14″

When a painting feels like it’s just not working, the natural instinct is often to walk away completely. That’s the temptation. But before you go back to your day-job, take a step back. Walk away for a bit, grab a coffee, let the painting rest. You’ll often come back with a new perspective. You may find that the “ugly” stage wasn’t nearly as bad as you thought. You might even have discovered something new.

Pull your paintings from the dumpster of doom. Bang! After a snack, something’s clicked. The lines start working, the colors come together, and it doesn’t need to look like your photo. You’re an artist!

Unsure? Don’t worry. Grab your brush.

Creativity thrives in the mess, in the struggle, in the discomfort. If we stop too soon, we miss our chance to evolve and grow.

Get back in there, and have a look.

When does your work feel “right” to you?

Are you willing to stay in it?

Can you push through perfection?