welcoming imperfection on and off the canvas

Written ByLe'Ana

Le'Ana is An Artist, creative, and an Ojibwe Indian from the L'Anse Indian reservation. She is a painter of the enduring Native American spirit. Helping you celebrate and preserve the traditions and the legacy of Indigenous people and ways of life.
welcoming imperfection on and off the canvas
October 15, 2019

The messiness of perfection

When I was in my twenties I had this inward and outward pressure to be some kind of perfect. Whether it be a perfect student, daughter, artist or even a woman for that matter.

I thought I could just get close to the ideals then happiness would sure to follow. In some ways it did and in other ways, I was looking far too narrow at life and art.
 

 

A few years later I gave myself the challenge to learn oil painting by reading, experimenting and failing over and over again.

“healing sisters” was born out of 4 years of relearning how to paint and how to see. Healing Sisters is the painting where I felt like I was really onto something new and where I surprised myself.

With are and life I learned.. Happiness isn’t something to chase or get its a place inside we are always able to tap into.

Embrace the messiness and magic in life and in art.

“Dragonfly spirit” is an oil painting on panel with gold leaf. I hadn’t painted on a panel or with gold leaf before, I was concerned I might make mistakes, ruin it or even fail.  (See the before below and after above.)

I soon reminded myself that there are no mistakes or failures it’s all apart of the journey of who I am and whom I’m becoming.

Take a risk and give yourself permission to be imperfect and to make messes.

Making art is like making magic I feel vulnerable, alive, free and love.
What are your messy and magical moments?

Much love, Le’Ana

“producing perfection from imperfection is, after all, the highest of art forms.” – 

Frank Herbert

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1 Comment

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LeAna Asher
Cultivating tons of hope and gratitude
Sky Buffalo Dancer- the story
Sending prayers