The joys of doing stuff we absolutely suck at

I'm working on what is (for me) a pretty ambitious painting--illustrating a scene from my short short story, "Far From the Sun."

Though you may not be able to figure this out if you see it, even if you've read the story (posted here a while back). That's because I'm not a great painter. Probably never will be.

Sure, I do get a little better with every picture. Every one teaches me something new. If I concentrated on it, took classes, bought some more books on painting, I'd probably get a lot better a lot quicker.

But that's not why I do it. I know I suck at it. I'll probably always suck at it. I'm sure the stuff I'm doing now is better than the stuff I did a few months ago, but it'll never be something someone would pay money for.

I know this. And I'm okay with it. I don't do it for that.

The simple fact is, painting pictures is fun. Putting that brush to that canvas is fun. Mixing the colors on the palette is fun. Watching the picture--hideous as it may turn out to be--form on the canvas is fun!

Kids love to make art, and it's nice to be reminded why. Try it yourself. Get some watercolors and some paper and some brushes. Maybe pick up a book that'll give you the basics. Or watch some videos on painting on YouTube.

It's especially useful when you are trying to concentrate on something, like me trying to plot out these novels. It sort of frees up my mind, lets the ideas start flowing unimpeded from my subconscious to my conscious mind so I can start working with them. It's relaxing and invigorating at the same time.

Try it. You'll see. Maybe, if you try really hard, you'll suck at it as much as I do.

And you also won't care. Just like me.