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What is the old saying about perfection? ‘Practice makes perfect’ can be used for many crafts, and the arts are no exception. Many artists aim for perfection. Unhealthy perfectionism, however, can quickly become a block to our creativity and discourage us from making art. So if you are looking for something to say to encourage an artist, or to build creative confidence, here are the best “Art is not about Perfection” quotes to keep you motivated!
Perfectionism in art is pretty common and I only recently published a post about how to stop being an art perfectionist. While writing that post, I stumbled upon a few quotes saying that art is not about perfection. I pretty much enjoyed these quotes, so I looked to find more quotes by famous artists and other people.
…and there are A LOT! It’s pretty amazing how many artists must have been struggling with perfectionism throughout history. So if you are a little art perfectionist too (like myself), you are definitely not alone.
What is the old saying about perfection? Practice makes perfect, right?
But it’s not exactly true. Practice makes excellent, but not perfect. I’d like to argue that there is nothing ‘perfect’ in this world. Perfection simply doesn’t exist, excellence does.
Art isn’t perfect either. Nevertheless, many artists suffer from the idea that they are not able to create ‘perfect art’, and they become disappointed and discouraged
So what to say to encourage an artist?
Well, in this post, I’ve put together the best “Art is not about Perfection” quotes that I found on the web. I find them very helpful and encouraging to read every time your art perfectionist breaks through and starts criticizing your work harshly.
I hope you enjoy them, too, and I wish you lots of joy and fun when creating beautiful art without trying to make it ‘perfect’!
Here we go:
Best "Art is not about Perfection" Quotes
It's not about perfection; it's about the joy of striving.
Thomas Keller
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Vince Lombardi
The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.
Michelangelo
Great sculptors and artists spend countless hours perfecting their talents. They don’t pick up a chisel or a brush and palette, expecting immediate perfection. They understand that they will make many errors as they learn, but they start with the basics, the key fundamentals first.
Joseph B. Wirthlin
It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection.
Oscar Wilde
Art is the perfect imperfection.
Alvaro Castagnet
I strive for perfection, but seldom reach it. Which, I believe, is the way for an artist to work. The day I reach perfection is the day I will never paint again.
Rick Rotante
An artist’s only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else’s.
Jerome David Salinger
My father, a wise and artistic man, once told me, 'Nothing in this world is perfect the trick is not to reach perfection, but to get so close to perfect that no one can tell the difference.'
Mark A. Rue
The more perfect the approximation to truth, the more perfect is art.
Maria Montessori
What is creative is the seeking of perfection and not attaining it.
Semir Zeki
It is in this power of saying everything, and yet saying nothing too plainly, that the perfection of art consists.
John Ruskin
Art can't be taught: It can only be found.
Bob Evermon
Art lives in the marrying of human perception and the imperfect human touch.
Dean Taylor Drewyer
There is no such thing as perfection in art. There is only the continued pursuit of passion.
Barrett Edwards
It's always necessary to seek for perfection. Obviously, for us, this word no longer has the same meaning. To me, it means: from one canvas to the next, always go further, further...
Pablo Picasso
Artists who approach perfection do not have many ideas.
Odilon Redon
You want to know how to paint a perfect painting? It's easy. Make yourself perfect and then just paint naturally.
Robert M. Pirsig
Perfectionism is the enemy of creation, as extreme self-solicitude is the enemy of well-being.
John Updike
Good work is not synonymous with perfect work. 'Art is human; error is human; ergo, art is error.' Inevitably our work will be flawed and looking for perfections is flawed.
Janet Vanderhoof
When I think of art I think of beauty. Beauty is the mystery of life. It is not in the eye it is in the mind. In our minds there is awareness of perfection.
Agnes Martin
Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.
Martha Graham
A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.
Salvador Dalí
Everything is perfect in the universe – even your desire to improve it.
Wayne Dyer
Nothing. Is. Perfect.
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Fix your eyes on perfection and you make almost everything speed towards it.
William Ellery Channing
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
Vince Lombardi
Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time.
Voltaire
The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.
Anna Quindlen
By definition, perfection is merely an absence of error.
Michael Epp
I'm not perfect... But I'm enough.
Carl Rogers
If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.
Leo Tolstoy
Perfection is the child of time.
Joseph Hall
Perfection is immutable. But for things imperfect, change is the way to perfect them.
Owen Feltham
They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they'd make up their minds.
Winston Churchill
Perfection doesn't exist in anyone. Striving for perfection in any part of our lives is a recipe for failure, since it can never be attained.
Dr. John Grohol
Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.
Kim Collins
When you aim for perfection, you discover it’s a moving target.
George Fisher
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
Chinese proverb
The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
But quality of work can be expected only through personal satisfaction, dedication and enjoyment. In our profession, precision and perfection are not a dispensable luxury, but a simple necessity.
Niklaus Wirth
I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business.
Michael J. Fox
Perfectionism is slow death.
Hugh Prather
I hold that the perfection of form and beauty is contained in the sum of all men.
Albrecht Durer
I gave up my struggle with perfection a long time ago. That is a concept I don't find very interesting anymore. Everyone just wants to look good in photographs. I think that is where some of the pressure comes from. Be happy. Be yourself, the day is about a lot more.
Jeff Bridges
Indiscriminate pursuit of perfection infallibly leads to mediocrity.
Henry Fuseli
Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop, a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the whole.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Perfection itself is imperfection.
Vladimir Horowitz
Forget perfection; only God is perfect. Go for excellence.
William Herring
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.
Aristotle
Perfection irritates as well as it attracts, in fiction as in life.
Louis Auchincloss
It is the imperfections in life that make it amusing and lovable. The imperfections of the world and its people add interest, and invoke curiosity, and humor. How boring would a perfect life be?
Cathy Harville
Perfection is terrible; it cannot have children.
Sylvia Plath
Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.
Confucius
This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections.
Saint Augustine
You can spend a lifetime, and, if you're honest with yourself, never once was your work perfect.
Charlton Heston
The world is perfect. As you question your mind, this becomes more and more obvious.
Byron Katie
There is no worse sickness for the soul, O you who are proud, than this pretense of perfection. The heart and eyes must bleed a lot before self-complacency falls away.
Rumi
The world is not imperfect or slowly evolving along a path to perfection. No, it is perfect at every moment, every sin already carries grace in it.
Hermann Hesse
Many people think of perfectionism as striving to be your best, but it is not about self-improvement; it's about earning approval and acceptance.
Brene Brown
We adore perfection because we can't have it; it would disgust us if we had it. Perfect is inhuman, because human is imperfect.
Fernando Pessoa
Aim for success, not perfection. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism.
Dr. David M. Burns
You Can Be. Amazing.
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In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful.
Alice Walker
March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to more toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or not the sharp stones on life's path.
Khalil Gibran
The imperfect is our paradise.
Wallace Stevens
I am going for a level of perfection that is only mine... Most of the pleasure is in getting the last little piece perfect.
Chuck Close
We are chasing perfection rather than allowing our natural perfection to flow from us...
Sandra Sauer
In order to go on living one must try to escape the death involved in perfectionism.
Hannah Arendt
Imperfection and perfection go hand in hand, and our dark and our light are so intertwined, that by trying to push the darkness or the so-called negative aspects of our life to the side... we are preventing ourselves from the fullness of life.
John Steinbeck
We never taste happiness in perfection, our most fortunate successes are mixed with sadness.
Pierre Corneille
Perfectionism rarely begets perfection, or satisfaction – only disappointment.
Ryan Holiday
Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.
Harriet B. Braiker
Perfection is impossible; just strive to do your best.
Angela Watson
Now that you’ve stopped being perfect you can be good.
John Steinbeck
More inspirational quotes for you to check out:
Stay inspired all year long!
Get your set of 365 Printable Cards with Inspirational Artist Quotes to keep your creative juices flowing – 365 days a year!
Pick a card each day of the year and never let your motivation dwindle!
Ideal for art rituals and self-care for artists.
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My name is Angie and I’m a self-taught digital artist. On this blog, I am sharing inspirational resources and advice to help you develop your artistic skills and cultivate a creative mindset. My desire is to support you in becoming a confident artist and realizing your dream!
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