I'm elbow deep in paint while I study an intensive three month art course. It's been an extraordinary journey to week 10 and I'm using all my creative time and energy on it. The most frustrating part is that there's no beautiful finished paintings to share. Let's talk about the ugly phases.
Ugly phases
The course focusses heavily on technique and process which I love but there has been no "finishing", no "resolving" and definitely not much that's beautiful or pretty or Instagram gorgeous!
However, I do believe in sharing the ugly phases, the accidents, the oops moments and the learning curves. When I started out I really believed that great artists just created perfect art from scratch without a hitch. Which is of course a lie, a lie that the internet will happily encourage.
So here's some photos from my last 10 weeks. I barely even recognise myself in these while I'm experimenting, playing and practising. But I'm definitely learning something.
Your ugly art is someone else's beautiful art
Perhaps the most important lesson is that there is truly no right or wrong in art. Another artist might be really unhappy with what they've created while I find it exciting or peaceful. My ugly art is someone else's goal. Whether you work with paint or Powertex, on canvas or sculpture, there are always more adventures to be had with your art. There is always possibility.
These 12" square panels are from various stages of the course but I'm working on the same panels over and over again. At week 3 they look very different from Week 9.
