Exciting Art News!
Some of you know, I've been in a basic art class for the last 4 weeks, and I must say it's taken its toll on me in the form of feeling not only inadequate, but without an artistic bone in my body. I've come home from school raked over by critiques, which are supposed to be helpful, but sometimes they just make you feel worse when you're having a difficult time producing an adequate piece. What my classmates don't know is that unlike them, I've only been doing art (messing around) for under a year...no drawing, no painting, maybe a few crafty things... and when my work is placed next to theirs, it looks juvenile, and yes, like a kindergarten child has produced it. For me, my art has come a long, long way! And the teacher did say he would grade each of us on how much "we" improve individually...yet the grades have not reflected this. Daily my work has been compared to those who have a long history of "living" in art...
However, this week, with much dedication and very, very hard work, I got a 94 on my painting! There were still mistakes and things to fix, but it was colorful, with smooth transitions and not sloppy. I was rewarded! yeah! AND to make the week even better, I got an "A" on an article I wrote on advertising. Please don't take this as bragging, but a HUGE celebration for an artist who was about to quit and felt beyond hope. I am writing you because I KNOW there are artists out there who feel much the same as I do...but we all have to be beginners sometime, and we won't get any better with dry brushes and no paint anywhere.
Here's to say, GO FOR IT! Keep plugging away...and it will slowly (sometimes very slowly) unfold for you...your vision will begin to unblur and your purpose revealed. Do I still have a LONG way to go? Yes, I do! But even the greats had slumps and moments of distrust and inadequacy...For now, let's celebrate!
Next week is my last week, and I'll be doing a self-portrait (not painting or anything), but something with words or fun...Keep me in your thoughts and well wishes!



