The Positives of Creating "Bad" Art
You never know what other doors will open when you create “bad” art.
Some time ago, the library that a friend from our writer’s group works hosted what was called “Bad Art.” The goal of the event was to use random scraps that had been leftover from presumably other arts and crafts events that the library held to create your own work of art.
The only so-called rule of the event was to, “Create something your parents would be ashamed to put on the refrigerator.”
Behold, my glorious “bad art” creation.
It was something silly to do, something that got us out of the house for a couple of hours and away from staring at screens due to work or social media. Creating a “bad” piece of artwork is something that everyone should do once in a while.
It’s Liberating
For those of us more inclined to creative pursuits, allowing yourself the freedom to create something that is deemed “bad” is incredibly liberating.
We are constantly battling with our inner editors, aiming to improve our crafts with every draft we create, every new drawing we make, every new photograph we take and edit. By creating bad art, we are silencing those inner critics, if only for a short while.
You Can Explore
How often have you wanted to try out a different art medium? Maybe you’re more inclined to painting with watercolors than charcoal and oil pastels. Maybe you enjoy writing novels instead of screenplays. Maybe you’ve wanted to dabble in inking comic books but are more comfortable with voice acting and podcasts.
Try something new with the mentality of creating bad art, and that new medium will not be so intimidating. As author Jodi Picoult said, “You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
So take the plunge and create some bad art. Learning any new skill is going to involve mistakes and imperfections, and that’s okay.
Make New Connections
Due to us arriving at different times to the event, half of our writer’s group created our pieces at one table while the other half was at another table. With the informal nature of the event, we were all visiting and cooing (or laughing) at each other’s pieces, but we also met new people as well.
There was a lovely older woman at our table who, instead of creating something “bad,” used the scraps of tissue paper, pipe cleaners, and colored cotton to recreate a hot air balloon, complete with the fire and wicker basket. We shared stories together while marveling over other people’s creations.
When trying new art and letting yourself create something “bad,” it’s okay to share it with others. Finding others with similar interests in the medium you’re trying out could not only net you tips on how to improve or encouragement, but also new friends.
Creating “bad” art is a friendly reminder that, while you should always do your best, it’s okay if your best isn’t that great for a while. You’ll always pull through.
This post was originally published on Medium.