There is a quote by Ira Glass that says, “nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple of years you make stuff, it’s just not that good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit.” I heard this a few years ago and it has stuck with me. I’ve always felt like I had “good taste,” but when I would try to create something it was never how I envisioned, and after a few tries I would quit. I’ve done this with countless creative endeavors and have come up feeling like a failure and that I, and my art, was not quite good enough. Glass’ quote goes on to say, “most people who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase you gotta know it’s normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work.
Two and a half months ago I started digitally illustrating and I thought it was so fun, but I still had creeping thoughts that it wasn’t good enough. I told myself I was going to practice every day for one week and then if I wanted to stop after that I could. After the week was over I was seeing some improvements and really loving it. Every day since I have practiced drawing and it’s taught me that I really will improve if I put in the time, effort, and give myself grace to keep going through the learning season. I have so much to learn and I’m still in that spot where my taste is better than my art, but I’m seeing that putting in the time is worth it. I challenge you to do that too – give yourself grace to go through whatever phase you are in. We are all learning and growing, and this season, whatever season you are in, is important.
~Jessica
* To chat or check out her custom illustrations go to her Instagram @jesscamakes !
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