How Good is Good enough?

[Wendy]

I spent most of the day angry today - REALLY frustrated because I find digital painting to be SO difficult at times. Argh. I just can't figure certain things out (specifically light and color), even after three solid hours of intense work.

I've gone through doing digital paintings three times before and it ain't pretty. I get obsessed and angry through the entire process. I can't sleep, smile, on and on...it's seriously nuts. For weeks, sometimes months. Thank goodness I'm getting faster ;)

To make things worse, the best places for truly learning about this kind of painting is where the professionals hang out - like, the ones who do the digital animations for tv, movies and stuff. On one of the boards my paintings don't even get comments most of the time because I'm just not at the same level. There, I'm definitely an amateur. When I do get a comment my stuff gets pretty darn demolished. Even though it brings in excellent skills and advise... it's painful at times

Anyhow...

It occurred to me, as I stomped away from my computer, that maybe it would be okay to stop, take a breath and take a break for awhile. This is supposed to be fun, right? Recreational, spiritual - whatever- I'm pretty sure it's not meant to make me feel so angry and in distress. My poor Husband brought me some purple flowers just because he could see me sliding over to the dark side...

Then, I had the thought that maybe it was enough just to be...good "enough"...right where I am. Maybe I don't have to aim to compete with the world's best in the field without feeling like a digital failure. Also, a lot of these things I'm working on are meant to be part of an eventual mixed-media piece. It will be one element, rather than the entire thing, so maybe it just doesn't require the perfection I seem to be expecting of myself.

Know what? I'm not planning to be one of the top professionals in the computer arts field - I just want to get my ideas down in a compelling manner. But, is that really...okay?

Is it possible that good is good enough? Does that then become a compromise - or mess up the integrity of your art?

I
Wonder.

Hmm....

[Wendy]

Chris, what a wonderful post! I'm feeling very peaceful after reading it. You are so right....I know I'll be rereading it again to keep your message fresh in my mind!

[Susan Hosken]

Chris, Loved reading what you had to say about competition and comparing. i tend to compare myself to others and have to remind myself i am enough just the way i am.
lots of love from susan in australia

[Chris Dunmire]

Wendy and Susan,

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Chris