Book Review: Imperfect Things: Artwork 2010 - 2013

Imperfect Things: Artwork 2010 – 2013. Tiffany Gholar. Blurb and Amazon Digital Services, Inc., 2014, Hardcover, Trade Paperback, and Kindle, 60 pages.

Reviewed by Marcie Hill.

It was an honor to review Imperfect Things: Artwork 2010 - 2013 by Tiffany Gholar. In addition to being able to relate to her experience of trying to find a balance between earning a living while living her dreams, I felt that she was speaking to me and encouraging me to persist, despite the challenges I’m encountering on my journey to being a recognized and paid writer.

Named after one of her pieces of artwork that symbolizes “a temporary thing,” Imperfect Things is a visual and emotional journal of Tiffany’s journey to being accepted—and paid—as a gifted visual artist. 

The image of the beautiful mess of different shapes and vibrant shades on the cover says to me that, although life will not always be the way we want (shapes), we will overcome and the final outcome will look and feel so much better than expected (colors).

Tiffany expresses her creativity in words and pictures, as well as with the media used to create her artwork. The journal entries included in the book have a poetic flow that made me want to read more of her thoughts. The images of the pieces she selected to express each stage of her journey are ideal. For instance, when her relationship ended, she used dark colors and rougher materials. As her mood and spirits lifted, the colors got brighter and the media with which she created was smoother.

One of the coolest aspects of the book is the way Tiffany explains the different materials and tools she used to create different pieces, and why she chose them.

Tiffany took me on a ride on her emotional roller coaster. I was excited when she opened her art gallery. I grieved with her during the loss of her relationship and wanted to comfort her during her period of hibernation. I rallied with her and the other “99%-ers” when she joined Occupy Chicago. I was able to relate to her emotional fight with Sallie Mae regarding her student loans. It seemed that with each step she took forward, Sallie Mae said, “I’m going to steal your money . . . and your joy, too.” Then I celebrated with her when she was able to “buy my freedom at last” after winning on Jeopardy and finally started selling her work.

As an accomplished writer and blogger who is still struggling to be paid, I totally related to those periods in Tiffany’s life where she questioned her skills and herself, and when she had moments of victory. Here are some of her memorable quotes:

“If I really had talent, wouldn’t I be successful by now?”

“I just need to get some new customers. I know they’re out there somewhere.”

She was trying “not to commit artistic suicide.” This was a powerful statement! 

“It felt amazing to get some recognition when I have felt underestimated because of my race and my resume.”

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. The words, images, and journal entries flowed well. I feel that Tiffany has a wonderful spirit and I’m looking forward to connecting in person soon.

There are only two things that could have been different, but they didn’t take away from the book at all. First, some of the paragraphs could have been a little shorter. Second, with all of the challenges, struggles and imperfect things Tiffany overcame, including breaking the chains of Sallie Mae, the ending could have been more powerful.

I highly recommended Imperfect Things for creative people who are challenged with living their dreams and staying financially afloat, for people who want to live their dreams and are afraid to take the first step, and for dreamers who need a touch of reality about what it really takes to make their dreams come true.