Perfect Paint Syndrome

Have you ever heard of perfect prose syndrome? This is when writers are afraid to put that first word or phrase down on paper for fear that it may not be perfect at first try. We all know, of course, that there is such a thing as a rough draft that can be tweaked and refined until it becomes perfect. But, there is still that fear nonetheless.  I think that artists also experience this same sort of fear with their work and projects. For example, I am starting a new painting today and have found myself staring at a blank canvas with paint by my side and paintbrush in hand. What is keeping me from making that very first brush stroke? Maybe it is perfect paint syndrome.

When this happens, I often wonder if Jackson Pollock or Mark Rothko ever experienced this same fear. You can never tell by their end products, as it looks, to me, that they just went with the flow of creation and put all other thoughts out of their minds. I think this is what makes an abstract painting so mysterious, because the calculating and planning of the piece doesn't usually show in the work itself. Any observer will wonder how and why a certain piece was created. Which is why artist's often get asked the question "What were you thinking about when you created this or that piece?" Well, it is time to get over the perfect paint fear and put brush to canvas.  Happy painting!