
“Art is never finished, only abandoned.” -Leonardo da Vinci
One of the greatest painters who ever lived offered from very insightful thoughts about art and painting here. As an artist, a poet, a writer myself, I totally understood his point. There is always something that seems to be lacking or to be improved in even your favorite piece of art work.
I find that I could keep tweaking something to make it look better, or sound better, or keep working on it just because I don’t “love” everything about it.
Perfectionism is a trap.
You are never going to get something “perfect,” especially any artistic endeavor. I find if I can pull myself away from a work then it is time to step away. That isn’t to say that I could revisit it later, but usually when I get to a place where I can appreciate it for what it is, that is a gift.
It is satisfying. It achieved its purpose to me.
Editing and adding new layers are important in the creative process, however, you can continue to change something until it loses all semblance of its original meaning and what it is meant to portray or say defeating its “purpose.”
“Abandoning” an art piece is something that let’s the art be what it is instead of trying to make it something it is not.
– Jason
Your words are so true, even for us writers of prose and poetry. Stepping away usually makes my work stronger.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. It’s right on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Mark
LikeLike
Very true! Any type of artistic expression–painting or writing–can never achieve “total” perfection. In reality, we just need to do our best and be satisfied with our efforts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True
LikeLiked by 1 person