Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Fear and the humble sparrow


I have nothing new to share, but thought I could at least dig something up from the past, 1995 that is.  I found this buried in the rubble, of what is supposed to be my studio, but is mostly just piles, heaps, and mountains of junk (re:  untapped art supplies).  My hubby complains, and rightly so I suppose, because I have a great number of sketchbooks all with just one or two pages started.  Which brings me to my main topic, fear.  Lately I have been trying to conquer FEAR and possibly complete an entire sketchbook or finish a darn painting, but I'm finding that simply declaring myself "brave" has not shut up that pesky inner-critic.  The ideas and drawings flow effortlessly but as soon as I pick up a brush....the door SLAMS shut.  I'm not good enough.  I am trying to heed the great philosopher Dory and "Just keep swimming", but DANG its hard!  So how do you keep going?


Note:  I want to add that I drew these by looking at a fieldguide or something, I wish I could credit the source but it was 16 years ago and I don't remember

5 comments:

The Muse of The Day said...

I don't want to recommend one more art purchase, but perhaps you have the book "Art and Fear", Observations On The Perils (and Rewards) of ARTMAKING, by Bayles & Orland. I haven't read it in several years, but I have just pulled it out to tell you about it. I am going to read it again. It is a shame that you have such sick drawing talents and yet you call yourself a "wannabe artist" in the "about" section of your blog. It is time that gets overhauled and rewritten. I understand that as moms we just won't have the time for a "career" in art right now, but "SOMETHING" has to be done. You are too good to let this go by. Again, when we are old, what kind of old ladies do we want to be?
Still wishing you lived next door,
Carolina

The Muse of The Day said...

A bit more-
It is really too bad that we can't do an intervention on you. You need it. When I enlarge the photo of your drawing, it amazes me how you captured not only the personality of the birds, but also their softness.
I appreciate seeing this 1995 piece, it lets me know the work is in you. The question that remains is - What are you going to do about it? Your answer will create a path for your future.
Keep me "posted". Carolina

The Muse of The Day said...

with the tornadoes and lightning we are having at this moment I am risking it all (my computer that is) to get this out to you. I started the book. Here is a quote " The point is that you learn how to make your work by making your work, and a great many of the pieces you make along the way will never stand out as finished art. The best you can do is make art you care about - and lots of it!"

There is some food for thought.

Carolina

Melissa P said...

I love your reference to Dory! "Just keep swimming" is a great thing to play in your head when those critical voices get too out of control. Because it doesn't matter what you are attempting, moving forward is what counts.

You can complete an entire sketchbook. Give that inner critic a vacation and start with page one. You can do this.

dernallo said...

Melissa P said it all....you are an artist....and you post are great. I really love seeing them and your work.