Sunday, January 6, 2008

Illustration Friday - 100%



100%. It is way overrated. In school, we are taught to strive for the grade 100%. At our jobs, we are encouraged to give more than 100%. It is the way to get ahead. But 100% can be a killer. So just say no to 100% and perfection. And encourage your kids to say no, too. Striving for 100% can lead to fear of failure, which leads to fear of trying, which kills creativity. Striving for 100% leads to burn out, exhaustion, and poor health. Just say no!

Watercolor and gouache on 5" x 8" Acquarello Watercolor Studio 140 lb cold pressed paper, touched up using Photoshop Elements.

Here is the original watercolor version, before the touch up. I used Photoshop Elements to alter the color of the "100".


9 comments:

studio lolo said...

I LOVE where you're coming from here!! I was surprised, I must say, to see a figure hanging on one of your posts but now it makes sense to read what you had to say. I'm with you. Perfection is a waste of time! Really, really good Laurel.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Great illustration and right on target.

Just say no...

neilornstein said...

"The perfect is the enemy of the good."

Voltaire

Karen Sandstrom said...

I could not agree with you more -- or have said it better, either in words or visually. And don't even get me started on people who encourage "giving 110 percent." What, is that so you have nothing less for the rest of your life? (Can you tell you hit a nerve? :-)

Elizabeth Parsons said...

very disturbing- that is what makes it excellent! certainly got my attention! the sentiment is so true. well done!
eBeth

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

A great interpretation..,I sometime feel and look like that!
ronell

MIKE said...

good point, and illo. thanks for stopping by my blog too

Kstyles said...

Very true and great job on illustrating this.

sketched out said...

It's good to be reminded of this on occasion. It's easy to get sucked into the never ending, never reaching, strive for perfection. Thank you.

You illustration is a clever depiction of the concept. Great job!