My art currently looks like my dog vomited on it and I'm OK with that

So I get it, we'd all love probably love to be the next Frida Kahlo (without the whole tortured artist vibe, preferably). But sometimes, creative adventurer the painting just has a mind of its own, and can end up looking like a toddler had a temper tantrum with a couple of tubes of paint.

That's when perfectionism sneaks up and whispers sweet nothings in your ear: "OMG paint over it, blend it more! Good grief that image is just ALL WRONG!" It's like having Judgy McJudgy living in your head watching your every stroke.

But the thing is: art is messy, just like life. And sometimes, the happiest accidents happen when you let go of the need to make everything "perfect."

So, how do you get your that inner critic to chill out? As a recovering perfectionist myself here are a few tips to help you quieten your critic down:

1. Embrace the "awkward teenage" phase: Every painting I've ever made has gone through an awkward teenage phase. Maybe you've got shaky lines, and dodgy colour choices, but hang in there and trust the process! Often the "ugly" phase is just a leaping off point to something wonderful - keep going!
2. "Mistakes" are just opportunities in disguise: Made a mark you didn't mean to make? Spilled water on your painting and made it run? Don't panic!  It could just be a happy little accident. (Remember Bob Ross?) I once burned a painting I was drying with a heat gun, the paint bubbled and looked amazing! Who knows, if you have a happy little accident you might have just discovered a new technique!
3. Stop comparing yourself to Frida (or anyone else, for that matter): What you see on Instagram or Facebook is just a highlight reel. Artists generally don't post their art fails. It's usually a pic of a finished piece. Remember that artist had to go through their own creative journey and you're right where you need to be.
4. Dance with your inner child: Do you remember finger painting in kindergarten? It felt like pure joy, and there was no pressure to perform. Crank up you favourite music, grab your supplies, and just play. No expectations or pressure - just pure creative expression and a good boogie!
5. Give yourself permission to seriously suck: Honestly not every piece you create will be amazing, and that's ok! I know for sure that the process of creating is so much more important than the end result. It's how it makes your feel, the mindfulness, the stress relief that's the real benefit of painting. So go ahead, make some "bad" art - it's soooo liberating!

I'm always telling my students that at the end of the day, art is about expressing yourself, and your inner world, it's not about being perfect, or comparing yourself to others. So please, stop putting pressure on yourself, embrace the chaos and your wild creative side!

You may just surprise yourself with what you create. And hey, even if it does look like the dog vomited on it, at least you had a blast creating it, right?

Love

Angela x

PS If you have a painting that is in the 'awkward teenage' phase and you'd like some help email me at [email protected] I'd love to see your work.