The value of making crap art

The fear of making crap art

Do you have the fear of making crap art?

Indeed, at some point in the studio, you most likely you will make crap art. Even so, not giving a crap about making such art can give you the freedom and confidence you need.

Making crap art is essentially what I gave myself permission to do when I returned to my studio back in February 2023 after an insane 10 month period of living in my home during an extensive repair and remodelling project. Accordingly, this freed me from the usual high expectations I’d had making my narrative realistic work

Click here to read, “4 ways to overcome when life gets in the way of creating art”.

Abstract expectations

Additionally, with this re-start, I decided to make abstract art rather than continue narrative realism. In reality, this meant I’d need to be okay with making some crap art.  

Nonetheless, optimism abounded at the beginning. However, the doubt and fear of not living up to expectations lingered.  Nevertheless, I determined I’d progress despite those niggling, often present companions. 

Play is fun.  Targets are motivating

Lowered expectations helped me play and simply have stress-free fun. Yet, targets motivate me. 

Thereby, making 52 abstracts in 52 weeks whilst making videos about creating them somehow seemed reasonable. Notwithstanding, my quest was tantamount to permitting myself to make works that I didn’t like. 

Moreover, creating the equivalent of 1 work per week didn’t allow fussing over any one work, thereby, compelling me to make marks quickly and often. In reality I gave myself permission to create crap art(less than my best).

Decision Fatigue

However, there was one big problem.  Indeed, I had decision fatigue from all the big choices made during the remodel and, earlier, closing my brick and mortar business. Therefore, I made a few rules.

My own rules to avoid decision fatigue

1. Only use materials already had in my supply stash (plenty was added from my closed business)
2. All new work had to be inspired by previous work.
3. Additionally, for Red Playground, I limited my colour palette to primary colours.  Thereby, I eliminated stress over mixing colours.

With these boundaries in place, thereupon I began making the Red Playground collection, which was inspired by, “Can Red Come Out to Play”.  Consequently, the Red Playground series was the first fruit of my mission to make 52 works.

Click here to read “5 Simple Ways to Get New Ideas From Your Older Works”.

Are they crap art?

The big question now: Do I think Red Playground works are crap art?

In truth, I do like some works better than the other. Albeit, I do appreciate the lessons learnt from making each individual work, no matter my opinion of it.  

I did like creating adventurous works that are well outside what I’ve previously made. Further, I enjoyed laughing and really playing in the studio. 

Moreover, I doubt I would have had this result had I not told myself that it is okay to create crap art.

You can be okay making crap art

Perhaps you can follow what I did and go in whole hog! I’ve committed to 52 works in 52 weeks. If going whole hog isn’t your thing, then start by implementing one or more of the following:

1. Stay out of the art shops if you have too many art supplies, and limit yourself to your stash on hand. Thereby, you’ll be forced to make creative choices outside your norm. This is scary but fun!
2. Facing a blank canvas or blank paper can cause stress as well.  This can be true if you’ve no Idea what to create. Accordingly, use your previously-made works as inspiration. In other words, reimagine them differently.Furthermore, doing so helps you build a more cohesive body of works. 
3. If you have no previous works, or want a change, play with simple geometric shapes. I found this step liberating.
4.  Find a target or goal to motivate you and make sure it’s challenging! Next, make time to plan simple steps to reach your target. Then, work your plan. That’s what I did. I find it magic!

FEELINGS AND ACTION

The biggest challenge is to take action even though you don’t feel like it. I know it’s difficult, nonetheless, I urge you to battle those feelings. Indeed, make one step forward everyday lest you do nothing.

Most of my artworks and exhibitions were created by overruling my emotions and circumstances. However, it never was easy.

It still isn’t. Many days, I have a lot on my mind, and want to do anything but create art. However, choosing to make one forward motion every day, even if it is simple, is powerful. I’ve It gives you agency over your feelings.

I talk about this more in my next post, “Creating Art When Life Gets Difficult”. Click here to go there.

Click here to read “10 Things I did to love myself this summer so I could get back to creating.”

Further Reading

Embracing imperfection is presented is critical for artists says artist, Kore Sage, in a blog post titled, “5 Reasons Why Making Bad Art is Good”.  I invite you to click the link to read helpful thoughts about the value of making crap art.