Blissfully Restless

Learning To Understand The Dissatisfied 
Artist In You 
© by Carl (CAKUart); all rights reserved 

It's completely normal for an artist to feel dissatisfied. There is ALWAYS that element to an artist when he or she feels they could have done a bit better… that they could have perhaps put a bit more effort into it… or probably should have concentrated a little more.

"Art is basically made by dissatisfied people who are willing to find some means to relieve the dissatisfaction" -- John Chamberlain

This dissatisfaction we often feel with our results merely represents we are continuously striving to grow…and to excel.

But I wonder if putting too much emphasis on a "result" instead of on the "process" predominantly causes this common dissatisfaction that a lot of artists suffer from.

We often attach such high hopes with each piece we create… almost as if we are half expecting it to come to life and talk back to us. But we quickly realise that in the end, when we are finished…it's just a painting. 

So therefore, it's important for an artist to focus on the value and honesty that has gone into the work…and focus less on a result.  

Don't be fooled by the "mirage" on the horizon and the phoney perceptions of success, as it does not exist. 

Essentially there is no end when it comes to art. So, avoid working in haste and be true to yourself and your craft.

I personally approach every new piece I create with the mindset of a new beginning. In fact, commencing a new piece helps to renew my focus and wash away the association I may have had with the previous piece.

It wasn't always like that though. Sometimes, on completing a piece, I would get so worked up with dissatisfaction that I would go back to it and overwork it to the point that the procedure became mind numbing and laborious.

I never really appreciated it at the time…in that; I didn't actually need to find the finish line. I didn't need to make it perfect beyond the point of it no longer being able to connect to anyone on a visual or emotional level.

It’s like someone once told me, "Carl…stop painting when it finally feels wholesome… and stop, regardless if you have or have not detailed the subjects eye".

I am of the mindset that we artists need to allow dissatisfaction to serve us rather than overwhelm us.

Dissatisfaction, for the most part, helps to fuel our appetite and avoid complacency at all costs. To be dissatisfied on nothing but a negative level, I believe, is simply refusing to acknowledge what you truly are – an artist.

Sometimes you simply cannot capture the intensity of your emotional awareness on the canvas - which could be likened to the idea that you'll never ever be able to bring your painting to life. 

So don't frustrate yourself. You may not always be able to portray what you see and feel. But it's important to remember that it is this very dissatisfaction that will drive you back into the studio to keep trying to express what ultimately moves your senses.

I think we sometimes get caught up in the idea that we will perhaps discover unconditional happiness on completing a piece of work – but its not to be... not completely. However, such happiness can be found in the actual process of creating a piece of art.

If you ended up being completely satisfied on the completion of a piece of work… would that not mean that your purpose has been served and therefore you no longer need to paint again?

It is indeed the habit associated to the creative process that fuels the artist and not the end result.

Dissatisfaction pushes us towards natural progression and change – the very thing an artist desires. It is this very blissful restlessness that keeps us moving forward. So perhaps learn to embrace the dissatisfied artist in you.

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