Embracing The Imperfections
In art and in life, it is important that we pause to focus on what makes us unique. You know those things that you don’t really like about yourself. Your wonky nose or wider hips, receding hairline or in my case my teeth. Its always been my teeth. You wont catch me smiling much not with a big teethy grin anyway and I mumble probably more than I should – it’s a long story – but the short of it starts from when I ran up a slide as a young girl as a result my teeth have always been ‘imperfect’.
Try as we might, to subdue these feelings they come to the surface at the most unexpected moments. Probably part of the reason I am not a fan of public speaking, though that has eased somewhat after 4 solo exhibitions and as a result 4 public speeches.
Whether it is our physical state or our beliefs we try our best to ‘hide’ what we believe the world dislikes about us or will ‘judge’ us for. There are many reasons for this, but society markets the ‘perfect’ human in more ways than one. The perfect hair, perfect outfit, the ideal home, the right attitude, whatever it may be you better do it right.
“You cant eat that”
“You’re too busy”
“Why are you just staying at home”
“Erk, is that what you are wearing”
“I cant believe you support that”
“OMG! I cant leave the house with that pimple on my face”
“Seriously you listen to country”
“Did you hear who she slept with” (Heads UP - its none of your business!!!)
It is undeniable each and everyone of us is both the victim and the judge.
Anyhow, how does this translate to my art.
Embracing imperfections.
Contrary to popular belief my ‘realistic’ paintings do not begin with a pencil drawing, each artwork is built through layers of colour and expressive brushstrokes, each work, as a result has ‘imperfections’. These imperfections are what make each of my paintings unique, it doesn’t matter how many times I paint the same bottle of tomato sauce or the same chocolate bar. Each time it will be different from the last.
I bring the subject to life as it sits before me, external factors, weather, music, mood, what time of the month it is, how tired I am, how bright the sun shines, it all effects the outcome of the painting.
I have been told time and time again, that viewers just love how I bring my subjects to life, I believe this is why. It is in the imperfections and that ‘ugly’ line that showed up but somehow shows of the transparency or the blob of paint that just doesn’t need to be resolved.
Maybe as a human race we need to listen more, be more understanding and we need to stop being so judgemental, of others and of ourselves because those things you don’t like are the things that make us all unique.
Because you are beautiful exactly as you are…..
