Challenging yourself
We all have fears, but do you have any fears as an artist or creative person? Are there techniques that you’re afraid to try, or mediums that you’re wary of working with? How did you overcome your fear, or challenge yourself to try something new?
For me, that medium is paint. I’ve never really painted, except for what was required 13 years ago when I took a (required) art class in highschool. I am not comfortable painting because my drawing abilities leave much to be desired and don’t all good artists sketch things first? And abstract art…isn’t that only for true artistes?
Of course not! So, for the fourth Getting Crafty challenge, I will be challenging myself to paint. I am not yet sure what route to go: do I grab a paintbrush and paint and just practice techniques? Or do I lightly sketch something and try to copy it? Should I go with my first creation, or head to the dollar store and buy a few canvases to experiment on? How will I judge whether something, especially if it’s abstract, is good? What is good? Whatever I do, I’ll be sure to share the result with you.
I must admit I’m nervous about this challenge…but we’ll see how it goes.
Sherry asked a question that I had been thinking of addressing after the results of the final challenge are posted but I think I will spend some time covering it before the weekend is through. Her comment was:
You have to tell us now Jummy…after 3 weeks of challenge and the beautiful cards you’ve made (even with the pointy prongs biting you!!), have you enjoyed this? Have you had fun? From the look of the cards you’ve done, it looks like you’ve enjoyed this!! And I seriously and sincerely hope you will keep it up…not just the knitting, but all kinds of wonderful crafts and art…you have a good eye for colour and combinations…share it with the world!
For those who have been challenging themselves for a while, how would you respond to this question?
November 1st, 2007 at 11:13 am
no fair…I asked the question so I get a “pass” on answering!! Hee!!!
What is good? Good is what you make it. Good is what you want it to be…no one else gets to Judge it…they will like it or they won’t. The only thing that matters with art is…do YOU like it. Play, let that 5 year old inside you do her thing…without worrying what the outcome will be. Try not to have a preconceived idea of what you want it to be…let your imagination and your spirit guide you wherever you will go.
Fears? Lots…being afraid to take that first stroke, that first pencil to paper…the pushoff point like jumping from the high dive. After that? It’s exhilarating!