As an analytical person with perfectionist tendencies and an inclination toward drawing literal scenes, today I decided releasing perfection was the way to go. I wanted to draw some nature items from my front yard without worrying about literal-ism, placement, proportions or perfectionism.

Today was about having fun and relaxing, not about a finished product, practicing a technique, or learning a new skill.

I wasn’t in the mood for drawing meticulously. I just wanted to relax and doodle whatever I felt like drawing.

I’ve noticed that if I obsess over perfection, my tendency is to create nothing. Because I wasn’t in the mood to work hard today, but still felt like drawing, I decided to push past my perfectionism, relax, and doodle this whimsical little drawing for the fun of it.

I think one of the hardest parts for me in this creativity challenge has been to push past my need for a quality finished product and allow myself the freedom to create things just for the fun of it … not because it’s going to be something stellar. Then, there’s the added step of sharing it here even though I know it’s not what I would consider “good.”

You’ll notice the butterflies and marigolds are inordinately large… emphasizing the last remnants of summer as the pumpkin and the leafless hickory tree and browning grass make it obvious we’re in autumn. It was fun to see these themes emerge when I relaxed and drew what I felt like drawing however it came.