Growth Isn't Always Pretty

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about growth, not just in life, but as an artist.

When people see a finished painting, they don't see all the ugly sketches, abandoned ideas, and moments of frustration that came before it. They don't see the canvases that ended up painted over because they just weren't working. They only see the final piece.

The truth is, growth as an artist can be messy.

I've been creating art for years, and I still have days where I question myself. I still try things that don't work. I still start a painting with one idea and end up somewhere completely different. But I've learned that those moments are just as important as the ones where everything comes together perfectly.

Every painting teaches us something.

Sometimes it teaches us a new technique. Sometimes it teaches us patience. Sometimes it teaches us exactly what not to do next time. Either way, there is value in showing up and creating.

One thing I've noticed is that the biggest leaps in my artistic journey have happened when I got uncomfortable.

Maybe it was trying a new medium when I felt confident with the one I was already using. Maybe it was painting a subject I didn't think I could pull off. Maybe it was sharing a piece that felt vulnerable and personal.

Growth rarely happens when we stay in our safe little corner.

So this month, I want to challenge you—and honestly, myself too—to try something different.

Pick up a medium you've never worked with before.

Paint something you normally wouldn't.

Use colors that scare you.

Create something without worrying whether anyone else will like it.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to make mistakes.

Not every piece needs to be a masterpiece. Some pieces are simply stepping stones leading us to the next one. If we only create when we're sure we'll succeed, we'll miss out on so many opportunities to learn and grow.

Art isn't about perfection. It's about expression, exploration, and sometimes just having the courage to put paint on a canvas and see what happens.

So if you've been feeling stuck lately, maybe the answer isn't to work harder. Maybe it's to try something new.

You might surprise yourself.

Until next time, keep creating, keep experimenting, and keep growing.

— J. Erin