So You Can’t Draw?
I wish I had a nickel (OK, a dollar) for each time someone mentioned to me “I’m so jealous because I can’t draw a straight line.” For which my response is “How do you know? Have you ever tried?”
I’m not so naïve to believe that there is a budding artist in everyone, but I do know there are endless creative options that can fit into just about anyone’s ability. For some with extraordinary “hand-to-eye” coordination (i.e. hit a fastball or tennis ball at 90 mph; strike a golf ball on the nose every time) it can make drawing come a bit easier. But for the vast majority of us painting in watercolor, oil, acrylic or pastel is a very attainable and potentially life-altering.
For example, I have a dear friend who recently retired from a dental practice. He never held a pencil in his hand except to complete the daily crossword puzzle. One day he woke up and decided he wanted to see if he can draw, so with a very small investment of three drawing pencils, eraser, sharpener and paper, he was ready. He picked out a picture in a magazine and sat down to copy it. Progressing very slowly he managed to produce a very worthy drawing. This empowered him to move ahead. He is now an accomplished sketch artist to the point where he called me the other day, barely containing his excitement, he had just sold his first drawing!
My point is simple, we don’t know what we have inside us until we challenge our abilities at any stage in our life. We should put aside “I am too busy at work” or “I have to see how my portfolio is doing everyday”. So let’s close the computer, turn off CNBC, CNN, Fox or any other screen you are staring at. Just an hour each day. Disconnect yourself from the outside world and find the lonesome but rewarding habit of creating something that is yours and yours alone.
Call your local Y, community center or college. They all have beginner art classes. Sign up for one. Everyone there will be in the boat you are. The first time you take a brush to paper or canvas just wait to see how you feel. What happens when you mix one color with another? Do you know there are warm and cool colors?
We should never stop challenging ourselves, whether we are actively involved in our career, thinking of retirement or already there. So start creating just for you!
I did, four years ago, and here I am with my first gallery show.
There’s a little bit of creativity in all of us. I guarantee it!