Joy in the Unconventional

March 2, 2025 4:29 am

I Like Things a Little Off Kilter: Embracing the Beauty of Imperfection

There is joy in the unconventional. Art isn’t about perfection—it’s about feeling. It’s about capturing a sense of movement, energy, and unpredictability. My latest painting, I Like Things a Little Off Kilter, is a return to the subjects and style of my 20s and 30s but on a much larger scale. While my technique and confidence have evolved, my instinct to trust personal inclinations over outside opinions remains unchanged.

Finding Joy in the Unconventional

I’m not surprised that I find joy in the unconventional. I’ve always been drawn to things that feel slightly offbeat. In this piece, that playfulness is evident—quirky teacups that look as if they might bounce off the table, a chair with a personality of its own, and an unapologetically pink door frame that refuses to blend in. These elements aren’t mistakes; they’re intentional choices that reflect my love for art that surprises, that refuses to sit too comfortably within expectations.

Trusting My Instincts

Over the years, I’ve learned to trust my creative instincts more deeply and find joy in the unconventional. I almost enjoy when people point out what I’ve done “wrong,” especially when those decisions were deliberate. That pink door frame? It wasn’t an accident—it was a conscious choice, a visual jolt that keeps the composition alive. I find that the moments that cause the most pushback are often the ones that excite me the most. They reassure me that I’m pushing boundaries, stepping outside the box, and refusing to settle for the expected.

The Energy of Rejection

In a way, rejection energizes me. It tells me I’m on the right path—one that values risk over repetition, expression over perfection. If something feels too safe, too expected, it often feels stagnant. I Like Things a Little Off Kilter is an exploration of that balance, an invitation to embrace the beauty of imperfection, the magic of unpredictability, and the joy in the unconventional.

Final Thoughts

This painting is full circle—a revisiting of past themes but with the confidence that comes from experience and finding joy in the unconventional. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t have to be neat, precise, or universally accepted to be powerful. Sometimes, the most compelling work is the one that leans just a little off balance.

Because after all, isn’t life a little more interesting that way—teetering in that liminal space between certainty and uncertainty, where creativity thrives, and the unexpected becomes the most compelling part of the journey?

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