Why I love to make bad art

I love making bad art. I didn’t always. When I first started, whatever I made had to be good. It needed to look effortless. I needed people to look at it and be wowed, because I’d just started and yet I created this beautiful thing.

The truth was a little different though. I made nice stuff. I mean it was mostly ok. There was no heart to it. I picked awkward things to do that had no connected theme from one painting to another. I flitted from topic to topic. Chased my idea of what ‘good’ art should be – detailed, serious, etc.

The thing is I am not a hyper-realistic painter (and never will be I don’t think). I expected one layer to be the final layer, et voila!! The next Mona Lisa!!! That kind of shit.

Time to make changes…

Somewhere along the line I decided that if I wanted to get better, then I would have to learn to play. To try different things. To experiment and discover what works and doesn’t work.

I also started sharing EVERYTHING on Instagram. I set up an art page and just shared stuff. Some of the stuff I’m actually really proud of. Some things were ‘beautiful disasters’ – really shit art but oh the things I learned!!!

Disclaimer: I know this approach isn’t for everyone because (a) the thoughts of sharing stuff with other people terrifies them, (b) they might be working artists known for a certain style so they either don’t want to alienate their current customer base with new/different styles that they themselves might not want to pursue or they’re worried sharing bad art might damage their brand. All perfectly good reasons for not sharing in public.

For me, it took the stigma out of creating rubbish art. I could create, learn and share. I could try out different things and see what worked.

Of course I get a kick out of people liking my posts or enjoying a piece of work that made. Of course it’s frustrating if I really like a piece and it only gets two likes when the silly reel I posted the day before got 20 likes. It’s the mindset change that is the real key.

I have learned so much about what I like (and don’t like), what kind of colours / movements / marks feel good and natural to me and I’ve also gained a better understanding of basic art principles and how to apply them.

Creating bad art and letting loose is making me a better artist and is so therapeutic after a busy day. So whatever stage you’re at, put aside some time to make bad art. You don’t have to show anyone but I bet it’ll be fun!!

And here’s some of my bad art – because why just write about it when I can show you some! And yes, these got shared on Instagram.