Creative Abstract:
Drawing with ballpoint pen is an embodied practice of prioritizing participation over perfection.
The reason for this is found within the medium itself: drawing in pen prevents me from being able to erase, to correct, to control, or to overthink. As a result, if I am going to create anything at all, I have to surrender my perfectionism, my control of the outcome, my fear of failure, and, instead, show up and participate in the process.
Process > Product
The drawings, therefore, are never about the portrait per se, that is the “product” or the end result – rather they are always only ever about the process. The criteria I use to determine whether or not they are a “success” is simply in the question: Did I show up and give myself to the process? If I can honestly respond with “yes” – then it was a success, no matter how “good” or “bad,” that is aesthetic, the end result was.
It’s metaphorical because what is required in the creative process of drawing in pen is the same of what is required of me in life: to show up, surrender the outcome, and give myself as whole heartedly as I can to the process.
Participation > Perfection
SO VERY HUMAN 