The Joy of Painting, Letting Go to Create Freely

The Joy of Painting, Letting Go to Create Freely

​An artist’s reflection on embracing the pure joy of painting by letting go of comparison, perfectionism, and unnecessary details—trusting the process, finding focus, and savoring the creative journey.

My exploration for the second half of this year is centered on the joy of painting. In order to fully focus on this joy, I first asked myself what I should let go of. How can I embrace and experience the happiness that painting itself brings? Must the life of an artist always be filled with struggle and pain, pouring one’s entire soul into completing a single work? Or could it be that, somewhere along the way, we are already finding salvation in the act of creating? I am on a journey to find the answer to these questions.

I have realized that to dive deeply into the joy of painting, the most important thing is to stop worrying about what others think. The moment I start to notice paintings that are “better” than mine, artists who are more skilled, styles that are more refined, or techniques that are more impressive, the joy begins to fade. Isn’t life the same way? Happiness begins when we are able to appreciate and love the small things in our own lives. Once we start comparing, we quickly fall into what I call “the hell of comparison.” Painting is no different. I need to fully trust myself and my process, much like paragliding—trusting the lines that support me, allowing myself to enjoy the view, and riding the wind freely.

So, how can I immerse myself in joy? One answer is to let go of unnecessary details. Of course, there are times when details are important. But if the pursuit of perfection through detail robs me of the happiness painting can give, then I must be willing to give up a few of those details. Instead, I focus on finding the “point of beauty” that I want to express. For example, if I find the reflection on a pond breathtaking, I will focus on capturing that reflection until I can truly convey its beauty. When I finally reach that point, it will feel as though I have gained the whole world.

For me, another part of the joy of painting is becoming a better version of myself than I was yesterday. And another keyword in this joy is speed. I adjust my pace freely, riding the flow of the painting as if surfing a wave. Sometimes it feels like playing the piano—letting myself be carried by the music. This is a deeply enjoyable process. While painting, I try to avoid stress, let go of unnecessary tension, trust myself, and simply enjoy the wind and the waves in quiet focus.
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When the painting is complete, the joy I have experienced is conveyed through the finished work—both to myself and to others. I allow myself to quietly savor this joy for a long time. The time spent looking at my own finished work is not merely passive viewing; it is another way to maximize the joy of painting. And in the end, I always return to the same conclusion: it is this very joy of painting that draws me back to the canvas, again and again.