The Art of Happy Accidents: Why Mistakes Make My Best Paintings

Let me tell you a little secret: most of my best paintings? They didn’t go as planned. In fact, I’d say about 90% of them started with an “oops.” A stray brushstroke here, an accidental drip there—before you know it, the painting is taking on a life of its own. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

When I first started painting, I thought I had to control every little detail. I’d plan my colors, sketch out ideas, and try to keep things “perfect.” Spoiler alert: nothing ever went perfectly. A brush would slip, a color would mix weird, or I’d smudge something I wasn’t supposed to. Cue the frustration.

But then one day, something amazing happened. I made a mistake—big surprise—but instead of trying to fix it or starting over, I just…went with it. I followed that rogue brushstroke and let it guide me. And you know what? That “mistake” turned into the coolest part of the painting. It was like my canvas was saying, “Hey, relax—I’ve got this.”

Since then, I’ve started embracing the unexpected in my art. Paint splatters that go rogue? They’re texture now. A line that’s completely crooked? It’s personality. That weird color combo I accidentally created? Turns out it’s my new favorite shade.

Here’s the thing about art: it’s not supposed to be perfect. It’s messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises—kind of like life. And just like in life, the best moments often come when you least expect them.

Some of my favorite paintings are the ones where I let go of control and let the “happy accidents” take the lead. They’re more authentic, more alive, and way more fun to create. Plus, they remind me not to take myself too seriously.

I think there’s something freeing about leaning into the chaos. It’s a reminder that mistakes aren’t failures—they’re opportunities. A stray drip of paint isn’t the end of the world; it’s the start of something new. And honestly, some of my most creative ideas have come from those moments when I thought I messed up.

Made a mistake and then just lost myself.

So, the next time you’re working on something—whether it’s art, a project, or just life in general—don’t stress too much about getting it “right.” Let the accidents happen. They might just turn out to be the best part.

And if you ever see one of my paintings and think, “Wow, that’s cool!”—there’s a good chance it started with an oops.