Risking Failure
A Painter's View
David Doyle Local ArtistLast month I touched on the “why” we need to create. My focus is on painting, but we can be creative in so many other ways. We can be creative at work, at home, at play. Wherever and however we do it, it is an essential part of our lives. I also wrote a little bit about risking failure. It is this topic that I would like to write about this month.
I have created countless paintings, so many that my house is overflowing with them. I like to boast that I have the world’s foremost collection of original Doyles! Sure, I have sold my fair share of paintings, but not all of my paintings are wholly successful. It is rather like a composer of music who strikes it rich with a “one-hit-wonder”. Successive attempts fail to hit the mark, but they keep on trying.
Creating art can be frustrating. Just when you think you have hit your pinnacle and have created your best piece ever, it gets rejected at a competition. Later on, after you stare at it for a while, the errors reveal themselves and you wonder how you missed it. The failure stung, but the truth prevailed. You learn, and you move on.
That’s how it should be, at least for most of us. The worst case scenario for me is the story of those who tried once, ran into a wall and rather than finding a way over the wall, they quit. I know a friend who was very good at drawing. In high school he met another fellow whose talent far exceeded his. He put his drawing materials away and never again picked them up; to me that’s more than sad, it’s a tragedy.
As artists, we need to be a bit more resilient. There will be fans and there will be detractors. If you feel that your work is valuable or even if you just really enjoy doing it, then nothing else matters. We don’t really (or shouldn’t) need the accolades. A true sense of worth doesn’t come from some external source, it comes from within. I love painting, I do it almost everyday, but I am not good at promoting my art so it often goes unseen. That is why I created a facebook page. It is my way of promoting myself and, most importantly, of highlighting the process that goes into the making of a painting.
If you are considering taking up painting or some other creative endevour, don’t look at your work in a negative sense, or compare its value with other people’s work. Instead, value your piece, and view other people’s work in a inspiring way. For example, rather than bemoaning that you’ll never be as creative as Emily Carr, change your thoughts to be something like, “I really love the way Emily Carr used expressive brush work. I wonder if I can try that too”. Find inspiration rather than comparison in the art that is around you.
My work is unique, it was created by me with whatever talent I have and with whatever influences I have encountered. It is by no means perfect and it has its detractors. But somehow I just keep going and every now and then someone tells me that they like what I do. That’s always nice to hear, but fundamentally I am the one who has to be satisfied with my work.
I also love sports, playing hockey, pickleball, curling. I love trying to be creative in the games. I enjoy everything that comes with it. I have never been the best player, I have won few awards, but I am there, and that is what counts. It is the same with my art, even as I wallow around on the distant periphery of the art world, I have a sense of still being a part of it, of contributing in some minute way that somehow counts. I love it!
I would love to instill this love of “doing” to others, to help advance creative thinking and the joy of sharing. By doing what you do, by sharing it with others you are contributing to a better world. Let’s keep it going and hopefully inspire others along the way!
I am considering offering a few outdoor plein air sessions using acrylic, watercolour and gouache that interested individuals can join. Please email me if you are interested.
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