The Joy of Starting Over: What I’ve Learned from ‘Failed’ Art
The more I create, the more “failures” I inevitably stack up. It’s just part of the deal—if you’re taking risks, experimenting, and growing, failure comes along for the ride.
I used to take it hard when a painting didn’t turn out. Soft pastel paper isn’t cheap, and in the early days, I’d spiral into self-doubt, feeling like I wasn’t skilled enough. Now? I see it differently. I give a piece of paper two tries. If a painting isn’t working, I’ll scrub it down with pipe insulation or a stiff-bristled toothbrush (mask on—pastel dust is no joke!). Then I try again. And if it’s still not right? I toss the paper. Some days just aren’t meant for creating, and that’s okay. Honoring that truth has helped me grow more than pushing through frustration ever did.
soft pastel paintings that didn’t make the cut for one reason or another. It was fun to see my progress through this process. So much learning, growth and play!
What Failure in Art Really Means
“Failure” to me now is just proof that I’m trying. It means I’m playing and exploring. That’s a huge shift from where I started. I used to think failure meant I wasn’t good enough—that I lacked the skill or talent to make something beautiful. I judged myself harshly. Now, I separate the art from myself. Some paintings work, some don’t. Neither defines me as an artist. This mindset shift has taken a lot of self-compassion and a whole lot of grace, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Lessons From the Process
Mistakes have been some of my greatest teachers. Here are a few things they’ve shown me:
Self-Compassion is Everything – I’ve learned to validate myself rather than constantly seeking reassurance from others. Instead of letting one bad painting ruin my day, I take a breath and try again.
Techniques are Born from Frustration – Water and fog used to really trip me up. They’re so fluid and ever-changing that capturing them felt impossible. But through trial, error, and layers upon layers of soft pastel, I cracked the code. My failures forced me to experiment, and in doing so, I learned.
Know When to Let Go – I’m a “fail fast” kind of person. If a piece is struggling and I’ve already pushed past the messy middle, I’d rather start fresh than keep wrestling with it. If tiny tweaks can fix it, great. If not? On to the next.
Trust What You See, Not What You Think – One of my favorite “mistakes” has been learning to truly observe colors in nature instead of painting what my brain assumes should be there. When I lean into this, landscapes come alive in ways I never expected.
The Freedom of Starting Over
Starting over isn’t failure—it’s freedom. It’s a chance to explore new colors, new strokes, and new ideas. Reworking a piece can sometimes feel suffocating, but a fresh start? That’s an open door.
Encouragement for Fellow Artists
If you’re stuck on a piece that isn’t working, be gentle with your creative heart. Find one thing to appreciate—the way the colors turned out, a single pastel-stroke, the fact that you showed up to create. Celebrate that. Then, make a plan to try again.
Mistakes don’t need to be reframed into positives. Sometimes, you just need to sit with them, feel the frustration, and let it move through you. Then, when you’re ready, pick up your pastels (or whatever your medium is) and start again.
And if frustration is really getting to you? Try a grounding exercise. The 5-4-3-2-1 technique (which focuses on your senses) has helped me in both art and life. Here is a link for anyone who wants to explore it.
Above all—keep playing, keep experimenting, and keep giving yourself grace. Your next breakthrough might just be one “failure” away.