Failing Forward: Why Art ‘Failures’ Are Actually Stepping Stones
If there’s one thing we get used to, it’s the feeling of “falling short.” You know, the frustration when something you worked on doesn’t come out as planned, or when you show your work to someone, and it doesn’t connect with them the way you hoped. In art, this happens all the time, and if you’re like most artists, it’s probably made you question what you’re doing. But here’s the thing: those so-called failures are actually part of what makes your art, and you as an artist, stronger.
Art can be unforgiving at times, but failure isn’t the enemy. In fact, it’s more like a teacher—often a harsh one, but one that pushes you in ways that easy success never would. Let’s dive into why failure can be one of the best things that happens in your artistic journey.
The Many Faces of Failure in Art
Failure can hit artists in so many different ways. Maybe a piece didn’t turn out the way you imagined, or a gallery rejected your work. Maybe you invested time in a new medium or style that just didn’t pan out. The list goes on: sales that don’t happen, social media posts that get ignored, projects that feel impossible to finish. And each time, it can feel personal because your art is personal.
But here’s the truth: every artist, no matter how talented or experienced, goes through these moments. Art is challenging precisely because it’s personal; the work is tied to who you are. And that’s why failure stings. Yet these setbacks—whether big or small—have a surprising upside: they make you rethink, recalibrate, and sometimes, go in a completely new direction. That’s often where your real artistic growth begins.
Rethinking Failure as Part of the Creative Process
It’s easy to see failure as something that “shouldn’t happen.” But the truth is, failure is actually part of making art. Art isn’t about following rules or guarantees; it’s about trying things that might not work. And each time something doesn’t turn out the way you wanted, you’re one step closer to finding what does.
When you experiment with a new technique, there’s always the risk that it won’t work. That’s okay—it’s part of the process. Every misstep teaches you something, even if it’s just what doesn’t feel right. And over time, you become better at navigating your art, more aware of what resonates with you. That’s progress, even if it doesn’t always look like it on the surface.
Turning Setbacks into Growth Moments
There’s a special kind of frustration that comes with an idea that just won’t take shape. You’re staring at a canvas, a sketchbook, or a screen, wondering why what’s in your head won’t translate. It’s tempting to call it a failure and move on. But there’s real value in staying with the struggle a bit longer. That’s where breakthroughs often happen.
Sometimes, when a piece doesn’t work, it forces you to think differently about your approach or technique. Maybe you’re even forced to ask yourself why this piece matters to you in the first place. It’s an uncomfortable place to be, but these moments are powerful. They’re opportunities to dig deeper, figure out what’s not working, and adjust. And sometimes, that adjustment is exactly what leads to a new direction in your art.
Why Failure is Essential for Finding Your Artistic Voice
One of the hardest things about being an artist is figuring out what makes your work yours. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or influenced by others’ work, especially when you’re trying to find your footing. Failure can be a grounding force here. When something doesn’t work, it pushes you to question what you really want to say and how you want to say it.
If you think about it, your style doesn’t just appear fully formed; it’s shaped through trial and error. Each “failed” piece is a stepping stone toward discovering what truly resonates with you. Instead of seeing failure as a detour, start seeing it as a compass pointing you closer to your unique style. Over time, you’ll realize that the work you’re proudest of often came after moments where things didn’t go as planned.
Building Resilience Through Failure
The truth is, failure is exhausting. It can feel like you’re taking two steps forward and one step back. But resilience isn’t about ignoring those setbacks—it’s about learning to keep going, no matter what. Each time something doesn’t go right, you build a little more resilience. And resilience is one of the most valuable skills an artist can have because art is a lifelong journey, not a sprint.
It’s also worth saying that resilience doesn’t mean you have to brush off failure like it doesn’t matter. Failure is disappointing, and it’s okay to feel that. But resilience means not letting it stop you. The next time something goes sideways, take a breath, look at what you can learn from it, and remember that this is part of the process. Over time, you’ll find that failures don’t knock you down quite as hard—they might even motivate you to push forward.
Embracing Failure as Part of Your Journey
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as both an artist and an art teacher, it’s that failure is woven into every part of the creative process. The artists who keep going aren’t the ones who never fail; they’re the ones who learn to make peace with failure and let it push them forward.
So, as you keep creating, try to see failure not as an endpoint but as a stepping stone. Each setback is a chance to grow, a reminder that you’re not standing still but moving forward in your journey as an artist. Embrace these moments, knowing that they’re part of what makes you, and your art, who you are. And remember: each so-called “failure” is helping you build the resilience and clarity that will define you as an artist for years to come.
