art and fear

I am reading a wonderful book about art and fear, amazingly called Art  and Fear, by Bayles and Orland. Here are a few quotes that have spoken to me-
Vision is always ahead of execution. Ok, what is that?  Well to me it means, I can imagine a great painting, but when I put paint to the canvas, it is not as amazing as I first imagined. The reason is that my skill is not where my imagination is. This is ok.
A finished piece is in effect, a test of correspondence between imagination and execution.  Oh my, that is a very large thought, but I get it!  Guess I might need to shrink my imagination a bit.  ;-)
And last but not least is this-
The lessons you are meant to learn are in your work. To see them, you need only to look at the work clearly-without judgement, without need or fear, without wishes or hopes. Without emotional expectations. Ask your work what it needs, not what you need. Then set aside your fears and listen, the way a good parent listens to a child.
Lets try that.
I am looking at my Mc Cuddinish man. There are many problems, under his bottom lip all the way down his chin, his nose shadow, his hair, his muddy face etc. But there are a few things right. The main subject is where his streight back has the most contrast... Um, I guess that would be wrong too. I imagine the main subject would be his face, not his very important back. ok. Hie face is placed in a good spot on the canvas (not center, different distance from edges etc)  AND he is entertaining! I like this way too important man, with his little tiny eye, and his very important suit.  Thats about all.
Hope this gave you artsie fartsies something to think about.  Jill