Permission (to Fail) Granted

Here’s a topic I think is fundamental to success in sculpting (or any creative endeavor): giving yourself permission to make mistakes. Whether you’re a first-time sculptor or a classically trained artist with decades of experience and hundreds of completed works, the reality is that everybody makes mistakes and miscalculations in their work.

The Myth of the Masterpiece

One of the biggest hurdles we face as artists is the overbearing internal critic. To deal with that pest, I believe it’s crucial to understand that relaxing your standards—especially when you’re new to the craft—doesn’t mean you’re being lazy or accepting of poor-quality work. Instead, it just frees you from "feedback" that will more often hurt than help your art.

In my journey as a self-taught artist, I’ve learned that while your standards will (and should) naturally rise as your skill level increases, they shouldn't be a barrier to starting.

Chasing Joy, Not Perfection

At its core, sculpting—and art generally—should be about joy first and foremost. I want the pieces I create to be a bright spot in the day of the person who buys them, but the process of making the art has to be a bright spot in mine first. If the finished piece appeals to others, that’s some delicious icing on the cake!

When you approach the workbench with tension or stress about the outcome of a sculpting session, it stifles creativity and leads to second-guessing. This often creates even more missteps in the process and really takes the fun out of the work. Instead, the goal should be to get into the flow of the creative process.

Find Your Flow

Being "in the flow" has time-tested benefits in almost every activity. You’ll hear elite athletes talk about having their best performances when they’re in this state, where their actions are happening more or less automatically, and they aren't worrying about the results. 

The same is true with sculpting. When you stop obsessing about the final product and just engage with the material, you tend to produce work that’s not only technically superior but more closely reflects your vision. For me, this is when the art I create really starts to invite the viewer’s eyes to stay awhile.

Today’s Mistake, Tomorrow’s Starting Point

One of the reasons I love working with concrete is how forgiving it can be. It’s not flexible or malleable once it’s cured, of course. But, with the right techniques, pretty much any sculpture can be overlaid with more material and modified or even turned into a totally different piece. This means a "failed" work isn't actually lost—it’s just the seed of a new project.

I’ve had lots of moments where a mistake led me to a texture or shape I never would have discovered otherwise. That’s the beauty of developing a relationship with the material. It’s a back-and-forth “conversation” where even the miscalculations have something to say.

The Path to Success: Paved With Humility and Humor

As you dive into a project—whether it’s sculpting, gardening, cooking, or any other creative pursuit—I encourage you to be kind to yourself. When things go sideways, drop an “F-bomb” if you have to (you’ll hear a few if you eavesdrop on my studio!), but then crack a smile. You’ve learned something you can apply to your next piece. And concrete mix is inexpensive, so you’re getting a very cost-effective art education!

Ultimately, I’ve found that the most enjoyable and fulfilling art experiences occur when I don’t take the project (or myself) too seriously. So, the next time you sit down to work on a sculpture, it’s a good idea to take a breath, relax your shoulders, and give yourself the grace to mess up.

You’ll find that any miscues are the stepping stones to a higher level in your craft.