For every kind of work and for a majority of tasks we have accomplished, trial and error have led us to some sort of result. This result is not always success after the first few trials but eventually we see results that are desirable. It’s similar with my artwork. I find something I want to draw and I can usually complete a drawing within a manner of minutes. Sometimes I will be proud of my work and often I will think that I could have done better. Though I don’t believe in redoing the same painting or sketch over and over again until achieving perfection, I try to find a similar image to draw. For me, doing a repetitive thing like drawing the same image until desired perfection will not lead to any results because I will feel as though every minor change I make is bringing me farther from my desired image. The string of images below show the development of my most recent sketch – from bring inspired by the bottom right sketch, doing a B&W sketch and ending up with a final product, showcasing my flair (top-middle). Even the stages of one painting involve trial and error.

Frustration arises easily in trial and error processes and that’s perfectly alright, as long as we remain in touch with our passions and don’t let a few frustrations demoralize us. I have recently begun to market my work – mainly my photographs – and the concept of trial and error is one I will have to keep front of mind. I don’t know exactly the type of brand I want to create and I am not the most knowledgeable individual out there on topics of art and photography. I simply want to share my opinions and receive input from those around me and engage in conversations and projects to further one another’s goals. It’s a risky thing to create a brand because brands are often connected to personalities and it can seem that a failure of a brand is directly linked to one’s personality. I have to make sure to dissociate these two things while still making sure that enough of my personality is present within my art and my writings. With this post, I hope to remind myself and you that art is a result of imperfections and maybe like the Japanese believe, as described by the term wabi-sabi, we can appreciate this imperfection.