Let’s be honest – making art isn’t always neat. In fact, most of the time, it’s gloriously messy. There are ink spills, watercolor splashes, paint smudges, and the occasional furry interruption from my cat deciding that my art table is the place to be. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When you’re creating, a lot of things can go “wrong.” Especially if you work with ink — one little nudge and suddenly it’s all over your paper. But l’ve learned that sometimes those unexpected accidents can turn into the best parts of a piece. A spill might inspire a new shape, a new texture, or a direction I hadn’t thought of before. It’s chaotic, yes, but it’s also kind of magical.
Watercolors and paints are no different. They have a mind of their own. They run, they blend, they bleed into places you didn’t plan — and that’s part of their charm. I’ve had entire paintings shift just because of a bump from an elbow or the joyful chaos of a cat walking right through a palette. (Yes, paw prints have made their way into my art more than once.)
But here’s the thing: art doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be clean or polished or go exactly according to plan. Some of my favorite pieces have come out of the mess – born from mistakes, happy accidents, and spontaneous moments I never saw coming.
There’s a certain freedom in embracing the mess. It teaches me to let go, to work with what’s in front of me, and to find beauty in the unexpected. And more than anything, it reminds me that creating isn’t about control — it’s about discovery.
So yes, my art space is often a bit chaotic, my hands are usually stained, and my cat is always lurking nearby ready to cause trouble. But that’s all part of the process. That’s the joy of it.
And honestly? I love every messy second.
