AKA: Am I a Mess or a Masterpiece?"
Hello there, my fellow crazies!
Welcome to another episode of “Chaotic Chronicles", the blog where we embrace the chaos of creative life and how being a hot mess doesn't mean you can't also inspire others while aboard the crazy train that is your life. Let's try to find a bit of ourselves amid the paint splatters, unfinished projects, and occasional overstimulated existential meltdowns. If you’ve ever felt like you’re creating in the middle of a tornado (less ruby slippers, more mom-brain, fatigue, and "oh look-a squirrel!), then grab your brushes, a cup of something caffeinated, and let’s dive into the madness together!
The eye of the Storm: AKA I have 487 tasks on my to-do list and approximately 10 minutes before someone asks me for another snack.
Picture this: It's all coming together- the baby is sleeping, the kids are occupied, the dishes are...well, the dishes can be dealt with later once they hit crisis mode, and you have a glorious window of opportunity to escape to your own private oasis- your studio! You’re standing in your happy place, surrounded by a whirlwind of art supplies, half-finished paintings, and a vague sense of what day it might be (it's Tuesday, right?). There’s an idea brewing in your head—no, wait, there are nine....teen. Finally, I can put the finishing touches on that portrait, I can start that new series that's been brewing in my mind, or wait, I could finally organize my email strategy (what even is an email strategy?!), but first I should probably create a reel to get more traction on my socials, but not before researching tips for fresh posts and when was the last time I was in a gallery? Is my work even good enough? Am I ever going to put the finishing touches on that painting...?!? Suddenly, it feels like "If You Give a Mouse A Cookie", except there are no cookies, just an unending list of things to do along with just a *pinch* of panic attack. You’re now the eye of your own creative storm (Hi, I'm the problem, it's me), with inspiration swirling around faster than you think and a blinding case of task paralysis.
But, here's the thing- the chaos isn’t a barrier; it’s the fuel that keeps us going. And somewhere in that whirlwind, we find little pieces of ourselves—it's not perfect, but it is real. My mind might often resemble a sugar-induced rave inside of a pinball machine, but that's ok. It's my process. And sometimes, out of that kaleidoscopic jumble of doubts, ideas, colors, and noises, will come a breathtaking piece of art.
I might be a clown, but at least I'm funny
Let’s get real: creating through chaos means things don’t always go according to plan or look the way we had imagined (correction-never. We can rely on death, taxes, and the thwarting of the best-laid plans). The made-up movie reel version of a professional artist that lives rent free in my mind is always well lit, camera ready, knows what she wants, and is a powerhouse of inspiration and precision. Most days, I'm just proud of the fact that I haven't drunk paint water. Yet.
But these “hot-mess” moments are where real life happens- it's where authenticity resides. They’re reminders that it’s okay to mess up, to not know when the last time you washed your hair was, and to laugh at how ridiculous your life is at times. Most days I resemble a bridge troll on a 3-day bender. I can be productive AND look good, just not at the same time. My hair is a mess, I undoubtedly have blue paint somewhere on my face, and I'm on a constant search for where I put my coffee cup (spoiler- it's still in the microwave. Maybe the 11th time I heat it up I'll remember to drink it...?). It is in the dirty trenches of real life that we learn the most—not just about art, but about resilience, adaptability, and the joy of not taking ourselves too seriously.
The Heart of the Hurricane: Creating Beauty in the Mess
There’s a peculiar beauty in the messiness of the creative process. Sure, it’s chaotic, but it’s also where the most authentic art emerges. When we let go of perfection and embrace the mess, we open ourselves up to unexpected beauty. The daring color choices, the wild, unplanned strokes, the paint splatters (that inexplicably ended all the way up on my ceiling...)—these are the things that make our work uniquely ours.
Creating through chaos is like finding beauty in a storm. Sure, it might get loud, it might get scary, there may or may not be a cow flying about, but maybe, just maybe, there might be a good idea floating around in there as well. It’s not about waiting for the perfect moment or the ideal conditions; it’s about dancing in the rain, splashing in the puddles, and making something beautiful from the spray. It’s in the act of creating that we discover, not only our voice and vision, but also a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Through the pandemonium I’ve discovered that I thrive in the unexpected, that I find joy in the imperfections, and that sometimes the best plan is no plan at all (take THAT you beautiful planner that was supposed to fix my life, but instead, judges me with its pristine, untouched pages!). I’ve learned that the chaos isn’t something to be feared; it’s something to be embraced! It’s like being on a rollercoaster without a seatbelt—terrifying, thrilling, and utterly compelling. Because in the chaos, there’s freedom. In the chaos, there’s possibility. And in the chaos, there’s the true essence of who we are as artists and as people.
Signing Off: Naptime is over
So, to all my fellow creators navigating the beautiful mess of life and art, here’s my message: Embrace the chaos. Dive into the daily torrent with all of your passion and curiosity. Make mistakes, laugh at the absurdities, and find joy in the unexpected. Because in this creative journey, we not only create art—we find little pieces of ourselves.
Until next time, keep splattering, keep discovering, and most importantly, keep chuckling along the way.
Your dancing-through-the-chaos partner in crime,
Briana Hume
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P.S. Feel free to share your own “crazy life” moments or the unexpected discoveries you’ve made through your creative chaos. Where is the weirdest place you've found paint!?! Let’s celebrate creating beautiful messes together!
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