Is this holding you back?
Last week, I set my "Momentum" students a challenge that involved stopping before they were ready. I know many artists struggle with overworking and I wanted to demonstrate the value of putting down your brushes before you were ready.
Much to my surprise, the assignment revealed something else. It showed that some students were finishing every painting in one session. Or at least they were trying to (and often getting frustrated and angry when it didn't work).
This made me think about patience, and the role it plays in our art-making. And naturally about impatience and the way it hinders us.
I see this come up all the time when I'm teaching ... some students avoid experimentation and play, because they don't want to "waste time." And others have the problem I mentioned, of trying to finish every painting within a single session, as if an unfinished piece means the time spent was worthless.
But here’s the truth: art isn’t about finishing—it’s about growing.
When we rush, we rob ourselves of discovery. We don’t allow ideas to evolve, take unexpected turns, or deepen over time. We don’t nurture those tiny, quiet sparks that could grow into something truly exciting. If we never give ourself permission to explore, how can we ever stumble upon something new?
So many artists believe their job is to complete paintings. But I truly believe that’s the least interesting part of the process. The minute a painting is finished, it loses its magic for me. That magic happens in the curiosity, the layering, the problem-solving, and the risks. Yes I finish paintings - that happens naturally when you're not pushing it - but finishing is never the focus of my attention. Learning is.
The simple truth is that if you try to make good paintings all the time, you will fail most of the time. Your "efforting" will block your creativity and foil your desire for results. But if out all your effort into learning ad growing, you will naturally make good paintings, without even really thinking about it.
How to Slow Down & Let Your Art Breathe
Start more than you finish. Give yourself permission to work on multiple pieces at once. Let them evolve over days, weeks, or even months.
Play without pressure. Try something with no expectation of a final result. What happens when you create just to see what happens?
Revisit old work. Let paintings sit. Come back later with fresh eyes. See what new ideas emerge when you’re not forcing an outcome.
Redefine a "successful" session. Instead of asking “Did I finish a painting?” ask “Did I learn something? Did I try something new?”
If impatience has been holding you back, consider this your permission slip to slow down; to play; to not finish things. The best artists aren’t the ones who rush to the end - they're the ones who enjoy the process enough to stay in it, allowing things to grow at their own pace.