Art and Creativity: The Alluring Dangers of Overworking Art and Seeking Perfection

As an artist, I am well familiar with the temptation of wanting to keep working on something till it's "perfect." Or, at least, till it reaches something that approaches my interpretation of perfect.

Of course, perfectionism isn't a trait that's limited to the art business... it's everywhere.

Wanting To Do Our Best

Naturally, there's nothing wrong with wanting to do our best. And when it comes to art-- which is typically a very visual medium-- we tend to get quite particular because our work is quite literally "being judged" by those who look at it. Or, at least, it feels that way.

At the gallery, we get quite a few of our local artists stopping by to show us "what they've been working on." Oftentimes, they show us something that looks quite ready to be framed and hung on the wall... and yet they will take it with them, insisting that they "will bring it back when it is finished."

Again, I appreciate wanting to only put your best out there... on the other hand, it is also possible to "overfinesse" a painting, or a sculpture. That is, you keep working on minute changes over and over and OVER again until the "freedom" and spontaneity that gave rise to the piece has been complete worked out... and we're looking at something that looks rather cold and mechanical.

I have personally witnessed that with several artists... to such an extent that I am now brave enough to look them in the eye and gently-- but firmly-- say "It is FINISHED. Let it go."

Perfectionism Can Be a Hurdle

There are many reasons why we can tend to have perfectionistic tendencies. And when I say that, I am talking about the situations where we cross the line from merely wanting to "do our best" to actually getting stuck in the tiny details.

In my own case, I have labored under parental expectations that were extreme... and didn't really break free till I passed age 40.

As a kid, I was often questioned why I had "A-" grades rather than just straight A's. My parents also taught me that a person's "worth" was directly tied to their achievements... and unless your achievements were near perfect, they really weren't worthy.

For other people, there might be different underlying causes. Often, it is low self esteem that's the culprit-- and doing something perfectly also shows that you have something in your life that you can control. 

Of course, in some cases, perfectionism is also an issue of fears of judgment; of being judged for one's work.

Whatever the cause, perfectionism is a problem when you're in the art world, because the effective result tends to be that you keep "working on pieces" and yet never finish them. Which means that not only do they not make it out for public display, but you run the risk of becoming known as "an unreliable flake" who never gets work finished.

The Tradition of Wabi-Sabi

In Japanese culture, there is a cultural aesthetic known as wabi-sabi.

Loosely speaking, it is the belief that you accept the beauty of imperfection, incompletion and transience. Things are not meant to be perfect, and in striving for perfection-- whatever that means to us-- we are, in fact, reducing the beauty of whatever we are creating.

I won't go into greater detail about this particular approach... however, I often return to it as an important reminder that I need to "get over myself" whenever I feel perfectionistic tendencies set in. Similarly, I share the concept with our visiting artists, anytime I sense that they are getting stuck in their own strivings for perfection.

Sometimes you are simply better off by embracing "good enough!"

Thank you for reading! Red Dragonfly is a proud member of the @sndbox creative initiative.

The Red Dragonfly is an independent alternative art gallery located in Port Townsend, WA; showcasing edgy and unique contemporary art & handmade crafts by local and worldwide artists. All images are our own, unless otherwise credited. Where applicable, artist images used with permission.