This drawing is me with my dog. I’m doing what I love most, even though I often have very little time for it. I’m quietly reading a book on my bed or my couch, and my dog, Joy, settles on me. I always feel deeply honored when she comes to rest her head on my thigh and falls asleep. It’s such a privilege to know that a living being trusts you so much, enough to completely relax near you and journey to the land of dreams while you watch over their sleep.
This drawing is very representative of me, with all its imperfections. I have no formal training in drawing; I just draw what appears in my mind, what inspires me in the moment. My favorite medium is watercolor because of its delicacy, its transparency, but also because watercolor forces you to let go of control and allows you to be surprised by the unexpected.
As you can see, there are mistakes in this drawing. Joy’s paws might look a little strange. It was only afterward that I realized I had really wanted to show her paw pads. I’m not sure why, but I find them so adorable. That’s probably why she’s in this odd position. And then there’s my hand, holding the book—it doesn’t really look like anything realistic. Since then, I’ve started learning techniques for drawing hands and feet. I’m not very advanced yet, but I’m improving.
I love this drawing a lot, precisely because of its imperfections. To me, it shows that what matters isn’t so much perfection, but authenticity. As an aspiring artist, I believe that, for now and for a long time to come, my authenticity holds more value than my technique. Sometimes, I even wonder if technical and aesthetic perfection doesn’t take away something from authenticity.
Of course, I admire artists whose talent allows them to achieve both perfect technique and absolute authenticity. I’m not there yet, and maybe I never will be. But by sharing these imperfect drawings, I’m learning. I’m learning to let go of how others might judge me, what I do, or what I don’t do. I’m also learning to ask my inner critic to calm down, to accept that even if everything isn’t perfect, I can still show, share, give, and keep moving forward. Because authenticity also has value.
By drawing, I’m learning that I don’t need to be perfect to have worth. And you—where are you in your journey of self-judgment? And with what you do? Or create?