Push to Failure

June 18, 2025

In fitness, there’s this powerful idea called “pushing to failure.” It’s that moment at the end of a workout when your muscles are completely tapped out—you’re shaking, spent, and every fiber in your body is telling you to stop. But you dig a little deeper and go for one more rep. And as painful as it is, that’s where real growth happens. Not in the warm-up, not halfway through, but right there—at the edge of exhaustion.

The same principle applies to painting, though it’s not talked about as often.

As artists, we tend to stop when a piece feels “done enough.” There’s a sense of relief in reaching a place where the work is holding together, where nothing feels obviously wrong. It’s tempting to call it finished, step back, and protect it. We’re afraid to take that extra step, to push further—because what if we ruin it? What if we mess up all the progress we’ve made?

But that hesitation, that fear—that’s the wall. And pushing past it? That’s where the growth lives.

The truth is, the moment when you think you’re done might just be the moment when the real painting could begin. That’s your “failure point”—not because you’ve failed, but because you’ve hit your limit, creatively or emotionally. And pushing past that point is where things start to get interesting. It's where the expected ends and the unexpected begins.

When you lean into that discomfort and ask yourself, Could I take this further? Is there something I haven’t explored yet?, you’re opening the door to discovery. Sometimes what comes out won’t be pretty. Sometimes you’ll overwork it, and sure, you might wish you’d stopped earlier. But other times, you’ll stumble into something that surprises you—something bold, raw, and undeniably yours.

That’s the risk. And that’s also the reward.

Pushing to failure isn’t about being reckless—it’s about being courageous. It’s about challenging your own limits, stepping outside of the safe zone, and being willing to trade comfort for growth. Because let’s be honest: playing it safe might get you solid work, but it rarely leads to breakthroughs.

So maybe the next time you’re staring at a piece that feels finished, you pause and ask yourself: Am I really done, or am I just afraid of going too far? And if it’s fear holding you back—maybe that’s the perfect time to lean in, not out.

Not every painting will survive the push. Some might fall apart. But each time you go there, each time you risk it, you train yourself to be bolder. And over time, what once felt like “too far” becomes part of your vocabulary. Your edge expands. You grow.

That’s the beauty of pushing to failure. It’s where strength is built. It’s where the unexpected lives. And sometimes, it’s where the most powerful art is born.

So don’t stop at “good enough.” Push. Go one brushstroke past what feels safe. See what happens.

You just might surprise yourself.