Art is Never Perfect, because we are Devastatingly Imperfect

I can’t deny, these last few years have had their fair share of ups and downs. I try to understand the culture I’m in, the way living in this generation affects me, the way technology impacts how we communicate, and the culture of comparison and perfection social media creates.

They say an artist’s path is naturally full of cycles, full of ups and downs, periods of growth and periods of rest, even possibly periods of death where we shed our old skin. But I venture to say, maybe it’s not just artists who experience this feeling, but all of humanity. I’ve found, it’s been the hardest to believe when you’re at the bottom, that those feelings and those circumstances could ever go away. It’s difficult to believe in your own healing, and to believe there is good, that a fresh start exists somewhere, that you can somehow be resurrected from all the pain, disappointment, or hopelessness you might have felt. I say “you,” but I hope you know I really mean me…and by saying “you,” I hope you know I mean all of us.

Different people have different spiritual and even cultural beliefs that dictate how they see the world, and I’m not here to impose my own. But deep down, I think we can all agree that life is a gift, and every person alive has meaning. It’s so easy for me to want to say that to everyone in this world – I would gladly look you in the eye and say, of course your life is valuable, I’m a stranger, and I know that without a doubt. I want to hold every hand that’s aching, give time, just listen. But when it comes to myself, I still don’t know how to treat myself with the same human decency. The problem with the internet is that it makes us become so much more isolated. We believe the lies we tell ourselves or hear around us – lies like we don’t contribute anything, that we should give up, that maybe there's no point to what we do or what we want.

I can’t seem to figure out why every time in my life I muster enough courage and bravery to go after good and beautiful things, with the best intentions, and want to share them with the world, somehow, I seem to always be met with an equal and opposite force of discouragement. We know good things deserve to be heard and shared, then why aren’t they more predominant? It’s like asking, why do bad things happen to good people? We know life isn’t supposed to be this way, and yet we can’t change it.

As tempting as it is to want to create a picture-perfect image online, I've had to face the fact that I’m just not picture-perfect, and truthfully, I never want to be. It’s an endless struggle to pretend, to cover every imperfection, and even if I could, I don’t want to. Because the cost would be my authenticity, and it's too high. It leaves me with the unavoidable – to learn to accept my imperfections. Not only to embrace them, but to share them, and hopefully to invite you to share your own as well. I’d happily accept everyone else's shortcomings, but I think we all know, it’s a lot harder to make peace with your own.

I’ve decided, imperfections are ok, they have to be, because they make me human. I was thinking recently about why we like TV shows and movies. There are different kinds of shows and movies, but I think the shows and movies we like, speak to us because they remind us that we are human. They remind us what being human feels like, that we’re not alone. They speak to ethical dilemmas, relationships of many kinds, saving the day and working together. There is usually an obstacle or a challenge that needs to be overcome. We love all parts of the human experience, the comedy, the mystery, the solving of a crime, perhaps even the thrill of imagining horror stories, the glory of superheroes, even the fantasy of impossible characters and tales, mythical and intriguing. And I think those concepts transcend just movies and TV media, all art alludes to the human experience and stimulates our senses and our imagination, or makes a statement. Are we not equally captivated by literature, editorials, dance, internet memes, sculptures…how can I possibly name them all?

Releasing my last project was more difficult than I expected, because I had to face some of my own imperfections. I can’t count how many times I wanted to quit, how long I was paralyzed by fear of failing, of disapproval, of disappointment. I know nothing is ever perfect, but I believed too much of it depended on me doing everything in the best way. Once you put art out there, I think you have to sort of not care what happens to it; your part creating is done, and none of the other thoughts are worth entertaining. I just didn’t want to waste anything, not a second of life, I wanted to perfectly execute everything so I didn’t mess up or regret any moment, and I just simply couldn't, and it was exhausting and devastating to try. In the end, I actually wasted more time worrying about it. My new conclusion is that I would much rather be human than perfect. And the truth is, nothing has kept me more human than “failing.”

I still have so much to learn, but one of those life lessons has been how failure made me better than succeeding might have - and I mean less about the art failing, and more about me worrying too much. The point of art isn’t to fail or succeed, it’s to share about the human experience. Art doesn’t have to be perfect, in fact, it’s imperfections make it more relateable. Who can regret sharing beauty with the world? Honesty? Pain? Even glimpses of a good idea. An artist is never fully satisfied with their work, and the determination to keep trying is what keeps them going. I know that, and I can say all that about art – but can I say it about myself? Isn’t my life an imperfect piece of art that speaks to a universal humanity we all experience? Whatever I think of as a failure, is no failure to anyone outside of my head. I know that, and it’s time to believe it, even the critical part of myself. I didn’t do this project for success, or for fame, or for approval; I know that. And I’m proving it now to everyone and myself. I did it for the sake of putting something beautiful into the world – something imperfect, but human.

Failure is a crazy word. I told myself everything was a failure if it wasn’t a dazzling success, if it wasn’t perfect. Perfect doesn’t exist in this world. Success is not only overrated, but even the most successful never have enough, or reach the heights they want to. It’s a trap. I embrace my failures. I aim to love and make peace with myself, and I pray the same for you reading this.

This “Visual Concept Album” is about how those darkest times in our lives, the most painful, the most confusing, those times make us who we are. We are exactly where we are supposed to be. Don’t be afraid. It’s a season, and like we can see in the world around us, the sun always rises tomorrow, the next seasons always come. Trust, like nature, that your season will change. And if you don’t trust the cycles of nature, trust me. It happened to me, and it can happen to you.

God bless your journey, know that you’re not alone, and I pray if nothing else, this work of art, executed so beautifully by many of my colleagues and friends, inspires you to share your story, share in the humanity, and love the struggling people around you. May this art and music unite our humanity, in a time where we all need some unity, and some grace.