Illusion of Control


December 5, 2024


We love the idea of control. As artists, we believe in creating with intention. As humans, we plan for success, set goals, and envision a future that aligns with our values and aspirations. But here’s the kicker—life, like a painting, rarely unfolds exactly as we expect.

When I begin a painting, I have an image in my mind, a blueprint, if you will. I know what I want to say, the emotion I want to evoke, the mood I want to convey. Yet, as the painting progresses, I’m often faced with the unexpected. Maybe the color mix isn’t right. Maybe a brushstroke goes astray. Maybe the composition feels off, or the texture doesn’t interact the way I thought it would. And just like that, my plans begin to unravel.

The same thing happens when we try to plan our lives. We think we’re on a clear path, but things shift. A new opportunity pops up, or an unforeseen challenge forces us to reevaluate. You might get a promotion you didn’t expect, or a health issue might knock you off course for a while. You may start with one goal in mind, but end up somewhere entirely different, perhaps even better—or more difficult—than you imagined.

Beauty of Uncertainty

In painting, mistakes aren’t failures; they are moments of discovery. I often find that some of my most striking pieces have come from accidents—color bleeds, lines that aren’t quite straight, or textures that didn’t turn out as planned. What seemed like a mistake at first often becomes the heartbeat of the painting, an element that couldn’t have been predicted but somehow fits perfectly within the whole.

Life works the same way. If everything went according to plan, we’d miss out on the surprises—both the good and the challenging—that make our journey unique. The friend you meet by chance who changes your perspective. The project that fails, leading you to an entirely new direction. The heartbreak that teaches you strength or resilience. Even the worst detours can reveal unexpected beauty, growth, and a new way of seeing the world.

Embracing the unpredictable nature of life allows us to appreciate the process. It’s not about the destination, but how we navigate the twists and turns along the way.

Intention and Flexibility

That said, intention is still crucial. A painter doesn’t just throw paint on a canvas and hope for the best. There is still thought, technique, and skill involved in the process. Similarly, in life, it’s important to set goals, make decisions, and have a sense of purpose. But it’s equally important to remain flexible, to allow for adjustments and changes when the unexpected arises.

Sometimes, as a painter, I need to step back and assess the work from a distance. I can’t be too attached to the original idea, or I’ll miss out on new possibilities. Similarly, in life, we must learn to step back, reassess, and change our course if necessary. We often learn more from the moments when our plans fail or falter than from the ones that go exactly as we envisioned.

Structure and Spontaneity

In life, just as in painting, the balance between structure and spontaneity is key. Too much planning can leave you feeling trapped, rigid in your approach, and afraid to take risks. But too little planning can lead to chaos, aimlessness, and missed opportunities. The sweet spot lies in the ability to hold onto your vision but to also embrace the flow, knowing that the best creations—whether they’re works of art or moments in life—often emerge when we allow ourselves the freedom to experiment.

There are days when a painting feels like it’s all falling apart. But then, with one bold stroke or a quiet moment of reflection, the chaos resolves into something meaningful. Similarly, life can feel overwhelming at times. We might be unsure of the next step or how to navigate a tricky situation. But if we let go of the need for perfect control and simply engage with the present, we often discover that the messiness has purpose. It’s not about avoiding mistakes, but about embracing them as part of the masterpiece.

Trust the Process

Whether it’s a painting or your life, the process is where the magic happens. Life won’t always go according to plan. It will challenge you, push you out of your comfort zone, and sometimes throw you into uncertainty. But it’s this very unpredictability that makes it rich with possibility.

Next time you find yourself in the midst of a setback, whether in art or in life, remember that the beauty is often in the unexpected. Embrace the turns, the detours, and the unplanned moments. They just might be leading you to a place even more incredible than you imagined.

Like a painting, life is about the journey, not the final outcome. And often, the most vibrant, meaningful parts of both are born from the places where you least expect it.

The Christopher Mudgett archive collection is the only one in the world to present the artist’s up-to-date painted, sculpted, engraved and illustrated œuvre and a precise record—through sketches, studies, drafts, notebooks, photos, books, films and documents—of the creative process.
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