Breaking Free: How Embracing Imperfection Transformed My Art and Life

As a child, I was passionate about drawing. I loved sketching buildings and landscapes, losing myself in every detail. In 3rd grade, I entered a school drawing competition and proudly used my mom's instructional art book to create a sketch of a horse's head. I felt a deep sense of pride in my work, but when I brought it to school, my excitement quickly faded. My classmates doubted me, accusing me of tracing the picture. Their skepticism hurt. Despite my efforts, I was given a red certificate sticker and took it home, confused and unsure of what it meant.

Artistic talent runs in my family. My mother had a gift for creating caricatures and sketches, and both of my younger sisters are incredibly artistic in their own unique ways. My brother, though not into drawing, picked up the trombone when he was in school. Creativity was everywhere in our home, and I inherited that same spark.

However, as I grew older, life pulled me in different directions. College, responsibilities, and other distractions caused me to set my artistic pursuits aside. I watched as my sisters continued to develop their talents, especially one sister who had an amazing ability to sketch people with stunning realism. I couldn’t help but wonder where I might have been had I kept up with my drawing. The thought that I could have reached her level if I had been persistent stayed with me.

The pandemic, though challenging, brought a positive change—it led me to meet my now-husband, who reignited my passion for art. With his encouragement, I started creating again. I tried painting, but my work never seemed to match the vision in my head or my sister's impressive abilities. Instead of giving up, he encouraged me to explore art history, paint outside the lines, and embrace mistakes.

This journey taught me a lot about myself. I realized how much of a perfectionist I am, always striving to create something flawless rather than simply good. That fear of falling short had been holding me back for years. But once I embraced a more open, imperfect approach to art, I found a new sense of freedom. It has allowed my creativity to grow and my imagination to flourish.

Dreams aren’t just for children. Rediscovering my artistic passion has shown me that it’s never too late to pick up where you left off, embrace your creativity, and chase your dreams without fear of imperfection.