I'm terrible at finishing things. In the past, I've used the excuse that I like expressive art--it's usually made quickly and sometimes looks unfinished. I'd convinced myself this was my style. Really my work was just unfinished. I like starting better. I know some people are afraid of the blank page but I usually like it. The blank page has such possibility. Finishing is so much harder. The scary part about finishing is that you're saying "I think this is good enough to be done." It's a subtle "I'm happy with this." Unfinished work isn't so scary because it has the possibility to be better.
Letterer Sean Wes talks about the 90% rule. Make it 90% good and then call it finished. I like that idea and am going to combine it with my 'set a deadline' rule. For me, deadlines get things done. My client work is always done on time. My personal work is never done. The difference is accountability and deadlines. You guys help me stay accountable for my personal projects. So this project that's been hanging out under my desk for a month is getting a deadline. And when it's 90% or the deadline (which ever comes first) I'll post it. And that painting above, wouldn't that look better with a whole lot more animals and forest added in? Yeah, I'm going to finish that too.
