Some of the strangest, unusual people are coming forward in my new journal. This one inspired from a quote from Michelangelo to his apprentice:
"Draw Anthony. Draw, Anthony, draw and don't waste time."
I'm a Drawer. Drawing relaxes me. Quiets my mind. Stills my soul. Takes me away. Brings me home. It is my resting place. A meditation. A prayer.
A practice.
A journey.
Did I mention that drawing really matters to me?
I gain a little confidence in these sketches and then try to draw a portrait of a real person, my oldest grandson.
This is Gus. Except it's not quite Gus. There is something definitely missing and wrong but for the life of me, I can't fix it. I caught something of him, but there is something still very elusive just beyond my seeing eye.And then I lose my confidence- put my book down. Throw my pencil. Walk away. Discouraged.
Until I look up a portrait I tried to draw of Gus in a earlier journal (two years ago).
And I realize, my drawing everyday does matter . My failures and attempts are bringing me closer to that elusive dream and higher goal of good art, and my eye is getting finely tuned and my hand is getting more skilled. It's right there in the old journal page. Thank you sweet portrait. I love you too, even though you're raw and basic and young and awkward.
So I tell myself again.
Don't give up. Keep drawing. Draw and don't waste time.
9 comments:
I feel like a voyeur - I have been following your blog for a few weeks - just looking in. I am so amazed at your drawings! You have given me hope...I may never reach the level that you have...but I will never know that until I really try! Thank you for sharing the older drawing as well as the new...and thanks for simply sharing!
Early work is such a comfort - in so many ways...
When I did the first portraits that satisfied me it was because I drew them upside down. I turned the photo upside down, and drew it that way. It makes your left brain go away and lets your right brain really see and capture all the shapes and proportions that make each face unique. It still works for me when I can't let go enough right-side-up...
Then I flip everything and finish them right-side-up.
These portraits are amazing!
Growth and learning is definitely a process, isn't it? Sometimes painful, always promising. It's the process I enjoy most. My writing is to me what your drawing is to you. I love your blog. And, by the way, Hiya Odd chick! Thank you so much for holding the unique distinction of being my first and only comment. EVER. At least, here on blogger. I was about to throw in the towel here but I think I'll sit a spell. Thank you for your kind comments and I'm glad you enjoyed it. :c )
Would you just look at that progress? That talent!
Keep going, kid...you're gonna be great...
OMGoodness, Odd Chick! Your latest drawings are AMAZING! The expressions draw me in, and I want to see more. Okay, so perhaps they aren't the exact image of your intentions, but they are MUCH to be proud of. The features are so detailed and realistic! They show tremendous growth, and I would be thrilled to have created them with my unskilled hands, ;). You're amazing! I can't wait to see what you do next. Happy creating. {{Hugs}}
I love the Michelangelo quotation. It's so easy to lose track of the progress we're making with our art because the changes are so incremental. I love seeing your work. This blog really helped me with my own decision to take up art again.
BTW, I love the drawing of Gus.
I love your art and I'm so glad I found your blog(O:
Just as I was thinking of you while going through this newly found blog http://theblissfactory.blogspot.com/ you wrote such a great post!
I love Michelangelo quote (!) as very often my critic will call drawing a waste of time.
I love your portraits, they are so amazing, I find it so inspiring that you can draw from your own imagination, for me that's a skill and a half (!) and Gus portrait is fantastic!
Keep drawing Peggy:)
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