You probably have noticed my art has a certain unfinished/shitty quality to it. Why is that?
Making over perfection
As a Lead for a high functioning creative company that is boot strapped there isn't much time or space to explore. Features arise based on need, revenue goals, increasing traffic, better conversions, better margins, etc. Every feature is backed by data and an objective. Multiple hands and voices help shape the end result. We have to nail down the problem, the solution, and make it exist fast. Then iterate, iterate, iterate.
As a creative that work is challenging but rewarding - as you you're constantly looking to operate at your optimal speed, you have to be clever, know how to compromise, use all the tools at your disposal. But there also is this sense of feeling stifled. It's putting the professional racer on the race track in a loop - they'll do their job and enjoy it - but if they love to drive they'll also desire for the winding beautiful roads through the mountains that take them somewhere new.
For me that's where art comes in. It's not about perfecting the idea in my head. It's not about hitting a goal. It's about trying something new. It's for the love of making something out of nothing. It's about learning and taking the time to meditate through a canvas of no restrictions.
Making for we
The core audience for your art should first and foremost be "you". It doesn't mean your art changes your life, or leaves you breathless, but you should be making what you want. Or maybe it's less about want and it's more about getting the voices out of your head, or scratch that incessent itch, screaming out your feelings. Regardless of impact it makes on you, the time you take and what you make should be a sacred time.
At the same time it's good to acnowledge that art is not meant to be kept alone. Stagnant water turns sickly. The piano in basement collects dust and blesses no one. The stacked art in your procreate longs for an audience. Something, God, the universe, has instilled in you some gift and talent - just like your voice is meant to be heard by others, your art is meant to be seen. I believe that the divine speaks to others through our art, so it in fact can be quite selfish to never share what we make.
But fear gets in the way. What if somone better sees I'm a fraud? What if no one connects? What if it's all just shit and I'm blind? I know that feeling all to well. But I'm learning to take the responsibility of what little talents I've been given, and to first give my self the time, to serve myself and make art for me, so that others may be blessed by what the divine is speaking to me.
Making in time
So what is my process? Why do things look unfinished? Well they are unfinished. I sit down and tackle an idea - when my alotted time is up - that's it time to move on to the next thing. If I feel called to go back and continue work on a piece then I will, but most the time, I move on. Because once again I'm not seeking to create a "final" piece, I'm here for the joy of making. I also relish in art that naturally has a balance of construction and spontaneity.