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Saturday, July 05, 2008

About Drawing


I wasted many years believing I couldn't draw, even though I had shown some promise in art class as a child. So what happened? On a flight one day, I picked up a pencil and drew the profile of the passenger seated across the aisle from me. It only vaguely looked like him, but it was a fairly good drawing. I kept it for years. Once in a blue moon I would look at it, and then tell myself it was a fluke. There was that pesky neuropathway that told me I couldn't (parents, encourage your children, praise them, discipline them properly, and always do it in a loving manner, or they will develop that negative neuropathway that will be a major pain to fix -- if, and only if, they realize it as adults).


Fast forward some years. I saw this little set of watercolors with a book that said even idiots could draw and paint, and just for the heck of it, I bought it. Eureka! It broke through that idea that I couldn't. I could. I did. And I was unstoppable. I wish I could remember the details of that book. It's stored somewhere, but I don't know where. The point is: You never know until you try. Don't let fear or misconceptions hold you back. Try it. Then you'll know for sure what you can and cannot do.

10 comments:

  1. Wow! Colette..that is a very inspiring story! you are so right.All
    i ever got was negativity about my art when I was young. I am SURE GLAD you overcame your own self negative thoughts..Now look at you!
    a fantastic artist and and incredible creative woman who gives us fabulous art! Wheee!

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  2. well, for someone who can't draw, that gorgeous drawing in this post is pretty darn good...
    oh yes, childhood conditioning is just dreadful... I was told all my life that as an adult I was going to suffer from arthritis and diabetes... just trying to work through that now.. I refuse both!!

    you are so wise and so very talented xoxo

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  3. Thank you for sharing that story Colette. It was just what I needed to read today.

    So glad you have embraced art and your talent. You bring much to this world of ours.

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  4. My parents, although encouraging, were always worried that I would be hungry. I was fortunate to marry a man that had a good job, and was quite happy when I was engaged artistically. Even though I'm no where near sharing my ideas professionally, it gives me great pleasures and my children feel encouraged to express themselves artistically. I always think it's my link to sanity. Life is difficult enough without having an outlet. Thank you for sharing your story and I love your work.

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  5. You are so right! When I was a little girl, a teacher told me my art was stupid and I didn't get over it until I was around 40 years old! karen b...

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  6. I love all of your drawings. I have been drawing myself lately. I haven't had the courage to post anything yet..
    Thank you for the kind comment you left me. You are in my thoughts daily.
    Sending you love, Nita

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  7. Your wise words remind me of a SuziBluTube video I saw recently, in which she was telling people not to listen to the critics, to the husbands or boyfriends or friends saying, "that's not very good." She said, "Tell them all, 'No; just go away.' Tell them to leave you alone to create." xo

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  8. Amen Colette!
    Fear is the enemy, that's for sure. Thank you for your story. It's inspiring!
    Becky

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  9. Thank God I finally broke thru on that truth Colette! And, this little gal is just precious~

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  10. This is a lovely picture Colette. I think art is a journey not just an end product. If you enjoy the journey then make the most of it and don't worry about other peoples' opinions.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate each and every one of you.