Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The Importance of Failure

Quick Sketch of an Orchid Reference on morguefile.com

This post is about handling failure as an artist.

Why is it important to risk failing?
Simply put, if you don't risk failing, you don't risk succeeding either. When you risk failure, you also risk success.

But failing is still scary and disheartening...so remember :

The Importance of Failure

Failing is taking a step - Without your failing at that current piece, what would you have? Nothing. Exactly. You would have nothing, except perhaps a stifling fear of picking up a pencil or brush.

A Faltering Step Leads to Another Step - With your "bomb" and a little thought you've given yourself a nice set of goals - a list of things you want to learn to do better, a list of things you need to find out more about, a list of things that you want to be able to do. There you go, you've got a direction and a few steps to take.

Success Tastes Sweeter After Failure - The things you work hardest to master are often the sweetest, simply because you worked hard, invested in it, and now have something you didn't before.

Why Am I So Keen on Failure?
Well, I have begun a risky new venture in my art career. I fear failing...I fear embarrassing myself...I fear being so ashamed of myself as an artist that I never pick up a pencil again. What is this new venture, this new direction? Find out tomorrow.

8 comments:

EdieB said...

Thank you - you help more than you know - Your an inspiration

Jo Castillo said...

Oh, how true, how true. You will have great success!

Teresa said...

What an inspiring, encouraging post! Can't wait to find out what your new venture is. I'm sure that, whatever it is, you will find that "sweet success"!

Lilly said...

Rose,

It is really funny that you should make this post today. Today was a day where everything I attempted was a struggle, starting with waking up. Gathering art supplies was a struggle, my work day was a long series of struggles and actually doing the watercolor today was a complete struggle.

Then I booted my computer and read you entry. Well, it inspired me to post an entry as well. Not about exactly the same thing, but close to it.

Thanks for being there for me today. I needed it. :)

Rose Welty said...

Cheers everyone and thank you for your encouragement to me - I am going to need it in the coming days. :D

I've met fear of failure many times in my life...when I've given in, I've regretted it every time...when I've ignored the fear and carried on, I've met with success every time.

Valerie Jones said...

I'm a little behind on reading your posts, but this was very inspiring! So very true about if you take the risk of failure, you also take the risk of success!

Casey Klahn said...

Right on!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Very brave! The only real failure is not to try.