10 to 1

Every finished painting is only the visible tip of a much larger process. Beneath the surface lie countless attempts, abandoned ideas, and painted-over failures that shape the final work. For every painting that succeeds, many others remain unseen, each one a necessary step in the artist’s evolution. Creativity isn’t about perfection on the first try, it’s about persistence and exploration.

When we admire a painting, we rarely see the struggle embedded within it. Layers of discarded marks and revisions tell a quiet story of experimentation, doubt, and growth. Sticking with an idea can feel like riding a bull, unpredictable, exhausting, and full of moments where giving up seems easier. Yet the most powerful work often emerges from that struggle, when the artist stays with the process long enough for clarity to surface.

The creative journey demands a willingness to embrace uncertainty and imperfection. Failed attempts are not setbacks but foundations, teaching resilience and deepening vision. By accepting the chaos and trusting the process, artists transform frustration into discovery. What defines the artist is not the polished surface, but the unseen persistence beneath it, the courage to keep going, learning, and creating.