Why 'Perfect' Doesn't Exist in Art (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

"I was at the Plein Air event in Estes Park in August, observing some of the fantastic paintings on display. To my surprise, Richard Sneery, was there. I’d just told my wife that he’s one of the best painters in the U.S., and then—like magic—he appeared!

I introduced myself and asked him how long it took to complete one of his pieces. While we were chatting, a woman nearby mentioned that she doesn’t paint because she’s a perfectionist. She said it’s especially hard with watercolor because it’s difficult to control."

Perfectionism as a Blocker
"That comment hit me. To me, perfectionism is a bit like a disease—something that holds people back. Perfectionism can feel as crippling as any other 'ism,' whether it’s alcoholism or anything else. Some people are burdened by it, while others are not. But what if we redefine 'perfect'? What if perfect isn’t about flawlessness, but about joy? What if it’s about creating something that makes you feel fulfilled, even if it isn’t technically imperfect?

Often, we can look at other people’s work and see perfection, but we struggle to find that in our own. That’s why learning to love your own paintings is an ongoing journey, both as an artist and as a person. We need to learn how to appreciate our work for what it is—a part of our growth."

Redefining "Perfect"
"Words like 'perfect,' 'exemplary,' 'exceptional,' and 'excellent' are often thrown into the same basket. Aristotle once said, 'Excellence is a habit.' It’s something we do daily, through consistent effort. For years, I saw 'perfect' as something flawless—down to the micron in color and detail. But now, I see 'perfect' as something that captivates me as an observer. It’s about the feeling it evokes, not whether it’s anatomically flawless.

There’s a painting by Charlie Russell called *In Without Knocking*—one of my favorite Western paintings. If you get up close, you could say the leg of the horse is wrong or the colors are off, but none of that matters. It tells a story. It draws me in. And to me, that’s perfect. It’s about energy, storytelling, and emotion, not technical perfection."

Giving Ourselves Permission to Be or, NOT Be Perfect!
"The big question is: How do we give ourselves permission to see our own artwork as 'perfect'? It’s part of our journey, and when we’re consistently practicing, we achieve moments of excellence.

If someone else sees your work as perfect, that’s an incredible compliment. In fact, you might become someone else’s goal to aspire to. We have to recognize that perfection is in the eye of the beholder, much like beauty. It’s about capturing something that resonates with someone, even if it’s not flawless by textbook standards."


Excellence and Systems in Plein Air
"I’ve been working on developing systems and best practices for Plein Air painting. To me, Plein Air is about collecting data from the world around me and assembling it on a page. When I say something is 'perfect' in this context, I often mean 'good enough' for that moment in time. As I practice more, I learn what to leave in and what to leave out, and that becomes part of my process.

In Plein Air Quick Draw competitions, you only have 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete a painting. Having a system helps me break down a scene and achieve the results I want within that time frame. It’s about getting the most visual impact in a short period.

I’m developing this system not only for myself but also for others. I’d love to create a book with checklists and guides to help people get started without worrying about perfectionism. The goal is to give artists permission to paint freely, without getting caught up in overthinking."

Watercolor and Letting Go of Control
"Back to that woman in the gallery—maybe she craves control because someone once let her down, or perhaps she was raised to do things perfectly but was never given permission to learn from failure.

My relationship with watercolor is more like a partnership. It doesn’t tell me it’s oil paint or gouache—it’s just watercolor. I’ve learned to work with it, to let go of control sometimes and let it do its thing. Maybe that’s what watercolor teaches us: to be loose, to embrace the chaos, and to find beauty in the unexpected.

For me, watercolor can be a form of meditation. It’s a practice of being present, and not everything needs to go on Instagram or be shown to the world. Sometimes, it’s just for you—a moment of mindfulness and growth."


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