KeepGoing

Monthly Muse April 2023 - Week 4 | Ability - Inadequacy

Red paper from Paula Kesslering's Mixed Bundle 2
Flairs from Paula's Flair Box 11

This art journal page almost did not see the light of day. I was following along with a class on how to make whimsical, semi-transparent flowers followed by using them to make a flower bouquet. My flowers melted into a chaotic, muddy background that truly had few redeeming qualities. I was about to throw the piece into the garbage. Until I came cross this Neil Gaiman quote on IG. I realized I was trying something new. I was making all sorts of mistakes too! Seeing the quote I felt better. And I remembered something the instructor said, if you don't like what you paint, just paint over it.

And I did. I painted over my muddy mess with bright white acrylic paint. And when I adhered a second set of flowers, they popped from the page. No more melting.

So I think this experience is perfect for the Week 4 Muse. It is a reminder that inadequacies can be turned into ability. Just, don't give up. Make mistakes.

Neil Gaiman quote:
"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”