Many of you know how dearly I’ve wanted to learn how to draw and explore creating visual art. This March will make 9 years since I began making good on a pledge to myself. I would chase away the ghosts, silence the inner voices saying I had no business picking up a paintbrush or a drawing pencil.
The Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Center has become the place for fulfilling that pledge. I’ve taken classes there on and off for years: pottery classes (wheel and handbuilding); a pleasant watercolor workshop; a disastrous drawing class that was way over my head; two fabulous out-of-the-box mixed-media classes. About three years ago I fell into a rhythm and began learning from a marvelous palette of teachers. They have guided me with patience, compassion and a drop or three of firmness until finally, I am beginning to see with an artist’s eye.
For the past week, I have kept this page on my desk. It was our final assignment in Drawing 2. I struggled mightily, redrawing lines, erasing, repositioning shadows. Our teacher offered a steady stream of encouragement and precise suggestions for improving our work. I measured and remeasured, asked my eyes again and again, What are you actually seeing?
Bit by bit, the woman in the photo became real. She has dimension. She expresses a mood. I still can’t totally believe that I actually drew this. But I did. Of course there are improvements to be made, refinements to be learned. I’ll get there. I’m keeping her on my desk a while longer. The ghosts have been silenced. Instead, I look at her and hear her invite me to pick up my pencil again and again and once again.
I think you should leave it exactly as is. Great piece.
Thank you, Paul.
Love it, you should be so proud that you continued to follow your passion
I am, Clare. It’s happening at the right time of life.
I love this!
Thank you, Sweetheart.
Debra, I really like this! You are already an artist in so many ways, and I love that you spent so much time on this to perfect it, but the process is the perfection, no matter how she turns out. This lady turned out to be beautiful, just like you are from the inside out!
Awwww. Yes, the process is what matters and where the learning and discovery happens.
Also from the inside out!
9 years; WOW. It’s been awe inspiring to watch you struggle/flourish (with art I think as long as one is sticking with it they are one and the same.
I think I hear her inviting me to pick up a pencil as well.
Proud of you Momma.
Thank you, sweetheart. How beautiful that we share this as well.
Love,
Momma