Notebook, Journal - Common Kingfisher

Est. in Hamilton, Ontario.

Online and in-person shop original art & prints, pottery, greeting cards, textiles, and more! Unperfeʞt Studios is the creation of illustrator and painter Wendy Campbell. Based in Hamilton Ontario, Unperfekt Studios offers unique and often quirky greeting cards, prints, as well as other reproductions and fun stuff. There is a small section of Wendy’s original small paintings (aka minis). Cards and other reproductions can be found at various retailers in Ontario and online.

Back in 2007, I was living near the town of Essen, in the NRW of Germany. One day, I came across the most wonderful space called Unperfekt Haus. This was co-working before co-working was a thing. It is a huge space geared to the meeting of creative minds and souls - and foodies! I had never experienced this kind of environment before and nothing exactly like it since. But the word and the idea of “Unperfekt” (the German word for imperfect) stuck with me. I loved the idea of different people from different walks of life, gathering, eating, playing, creating and enjoying the space together without judgement.

Since then I have gone on to study the concept of imperfection through mindfulness, yoga, and a number of spiritual philosophies. In my view, the quest for things to be exactly right is not only impossible but undesirable. My artwork has always been comprised of wobbly lines, imperfect circles, off centred body parts. I’m told it’s part of what make my illustrations interesting. And so, after many years of judging myself and my artwork, comparing myself to the seemingly flawless lines of other artists, I learned to accept my “unique style” as good enough, even great in its own way. My work is an homage to our imperfections, our quirkiness, our flaws and how we can love and accept them. I will always want to learn and improve on my craft and generally be a better human, but the desire to draw the perfect circle, has never been my way, and more than ever, I’m ok with that. (there’s no way to scientifically prove a circle is perfect by the way)