Stop making excuses and draw already!
I recently ordered and have been reading a book called An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers. I also went to the recent faculty art show at Grand View where everyone was asking if I was still producing art. Of course I said yes, and was too embarrassed to admit how little I’m producing and what a creative slump I’ve been in. I’ve been caught in a never-ending cycle. I don’t draw/paint much because I’m not happy with the results. I’m not happy with the results because my skills are out of practice. Add to that the feeling that I’ve never really found my voice as an artist. I think the only way to get there is to draw. A lot. For me drawing is more about ideas producing ideas than painting is. And the more I draw, the more I should start to develop my own style.
So I made myself a commitment to draw every day. It doesn’t have to be fancy and it doesn’t have to be good. Kind of like my pushups, I’ve just got to do them and get it over with each day. With enough practice I should be able to progress to knuckle pushups and clappers, but if I do nothing I’ll have weak flabby arms that I’m feel like I have to cover up all the time. I’m sick of trying to live up to some expectation of what my art should be. I just want to do it for the sake of doing it. Here are my first two sketches:
Now I have to hurry up and get started on tonight’s sketch so I can get some sleep!