Awkward messy middle

Let me guess: Photos of you from middle school make you cringe and laugh. Me too! It’s completely normal for kids at that age to be awkward, pimply, gangly, and trendy. Middle schoolers are still evolving, and they’re at a pivotal point in their development—there’s a lot going on on the surface as well as deep inside.

Me in middle school, circa 1997

A painting or other artwork also often goes through a messy middle stage as it comes to life. I want you to consider taking photos of your work throughout the entire process—especially the messy middle! Why? As you likely know, the messy middle is the point when many people quit. They put the painting on hold and work on something else, they paint over it, and some people decide that they don’t have what it takes and give up on art altogether.

Having photos that document the messy middle will allow you to revisit the choices you made. The next time you struggle with a painting, you can remind yourself with the photos of how you’ve solved the problem before and muster the courage and faith to keep going. The photos will provide evidence that the messy middle is normal and not a crisis!

Photographs of your creative process allow you to observe your process and understand it better. You’ll see the journey that each artwork takes you on. By observing process photos over time, you’ll see how your skills and process have evolved and matured. It’s so important to get a bird’s-eye view of your artistic journey! It creates a larger context that helps you better contend with the daily struggles of an artist.

Documenting our work process has so many benefits for us as well as for those who seek to better understand our work. Just as my heart goes out to the awkward young Mieka in my 6th grade school photo, I hold compassion and love for the stages of my work that were awkward steps on the road to paintings that make me proud.

So, here's your challenge: show me photos of your work in all of its messy middle glory! Just email me to share!