“There is no right or wrong in art.”
I think she told us that to disarm our fear of failure and comparing ourselves to each other. In that one sentence, she reassured our entire class that no one’s art is better or worse than the person sitting next to them. She was encouraging us to give art a go because we all create things uniquely. Differently, and that’s a good thing.
The person who said that was my year 10 art teacher in high school, Ms Blair. I was 14. I’m 31 now. Have you ever had someone say something to you, good or bad, and their words have never left your memory?
Ms Blair probably didn’t mean for her words to be so profound, but for me, they were striking. I had always enjoyed making art, but that moment made me challenge my life-long thoughts of “but my art isn’t as good as so-and-so”. Her words gave me the confidence to start making art without comparing myself to my classmates.
Here’s the problem with comparing our art to other peoples art:
It is easy to compare ourselves to each other, especially in day to day life like in work or school and in sports or hobbies or other pursuits we have. For example, in our year 10 art class, all the students had to do the same assessments: draw the same thing, meet the requirements, show you understand the techniques, tick all the boxes to pass. When everyone is drawing the same thing, it is easy to look down at your work and think you’re not measuring up. Here’s what’s going on: the person next to you is probably thinking the same thing. The problem with comparing yourself to others is that it’s not helpful. You’re not a clone. You wouldn’t want to be. You are unique.
The truth is while we may be participating in the same activity in life, we all have our own approach and style. I remember one assessment we did was on still-life, and I was working away at drawing harakeke flowers. Ms Blair said to me, “Oh Katie, I love how you’ve stylised the flowers but unfortunately… you’re going to have to try to draw it realistically.”
I could tell she was a bit sad about having to crush my artistic desire to draw freely. I definitely made a sour face at her at that moment because I was frustrated too. I look back, and I laugh about it now, though, because now I’m in a place of freedom to express myself how I like. Let me explain.
Don’t be afraid to express yourself.
Because I still spent the next three years bound by those assessment limitations, the first major artistic shift in my life was actually when I left high school. I had constant thoughts reeling through my head as I tried to figure out where I belonged in life (I was lost, like a teenager, but also like a human of any age, and I let it out through artmaking).
During that time, I had my first job working in a supermarket, and I was gaining more independence from my parents, but the best part of it all was that I got to paint whenever and however I wanted. I got to truly express what was in my head and soul and spill it onto a canvas at weird hours of the night (regularly all the hours of the night).
I’ll let you in on what was going on inside my soul: it was a wrestle to understand whose hands I was supposed to put my life, identity and worth in. Deep, I know, but we all think about it at some stage. I had been a Christian for about 2 years (a story for another time), but after high school, I really struggled to come to terms with the enormity of Jesus’ love and compassion for me. It threw me off big time.
You are unique. So is your art. Be confident in who you are.
This is a long story short (also for another time) that at the end of that struggle, I realised that God’s not going anywhere; he will always be with me and accept me despite my failures. I also realised that I am made in God’s image. I was made by his creative hands, and that the reason I’m compelled to make the art that wants to burst out of my soul is that He is the creator, and I’m like him. We all are. And I can’t help myself when it comes to being creative. And you shouldn’t either.
So, I’m thinking God keeps expanding the universe because he loves creating. I wouldn’t stop either if I could make time and space and stars. Our creative reserve never ends too. For some people, their creativity is not poured out through artworks. And that’s beautiful too. The way you speak, sing, play, build, serve, act, teach, plant, dance, communicate, express yourself is beautiful. The art we create tells stories to ourselves, to each other, and to Jesus.
Start!
As my art teacher did for me, let me encourage you: There is no right or wrong in art. Don’t freak out about how much there is to learn in the medium you choose. If you’ve always wanted to make art, or maybe you haven’t picked up a pencil, pastel, paintbrush, tool, clay, whatever in a long time… Start. Start by knowing there’s never an end to your creative journey. There are definitely pauses. But never a moment you say, “That’s it, I’ve done it, I’ve made it. I’ve learnt all there is to know, and I’ve created everything I’ve ever wanted to create.”
You could be that 99-year-old master painter with all those techniques conquered with still more inside you to let out. You could be a 65-year-old who’s never painted a day in their life but always wanted to give it a go. You have plenty inside you to let out, don’t doubt that for a moment more. Start. And trust me, I’m looking at my joy-filled 3-year-old son right now. I love his scribbles, and he’s got a LOT more inside him to let out!
You got this!
If you enjoyed this article, or need some extra encouragement, be sure to check out this article:
Share your thoughts.
Have you ever had someone say something to you that has impacted your view of art or life? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. We’d love to hear your stories.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
— Psalm 19:1
Like this post? Share it with others:
Great content! Keep up the good work!
Thank you!
Love the post Katie! Such good thoughts. I’m going to be mulling over that for a while. Thinking about God expanding the universe in His joy of creating is kinda mindblowing 💛✨
Thank you, Emily. I am so glad you liked it! Mindblowing is right – we’ll never comprehend his ways, but we can ponder them 😀
Thanks, I needed to hear that…
No worries! Happy artmaking!