Monday, January 21, 2013

Draw, Partner!


Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try.
            Mary Kay Ash


(Courtesy of our lovely Jeanine LeRoy)


I say it all the time. I think I've said it here at F.O.L.  I cannot draw - "not even a straight line." There's another thing I cannot do - math. I am the typical math phobic girl, and have been since the sixth grade.

But here's the thing. I have recently faced a challenge that involved a lot of math, and guess what? It ended well! And along the way I realized that having run my own business, my own household, and brought up two children I actually have handled successfully all the math that was necessary.  So I started thinking, "If I actually can do math, then maybe I should try to draw something...." Surely my interest in art history and all the hours I've logged behind the camera have taught me something about color and composition? Deep breath.

"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try." 
                                   Yoda

So I went to Michael's and bought colored pastel and granite pencils, a sketch pad, and the cutest little beginner watercolor kit. Then I went online and found Jane Davenport's Draw Happy Class http://www.janedavenport.com/workshops/draw-happy-mini-workshop/ ,which she says she designed so that no one would ever say again the sentence "I can't draw!" Sounded perfect for me! And guess what? I am having so much fun! And I am drawing! Me?!
Check out my first little faces!



I've decided that it's time to change the stale, old messages in my brain. I can do math. I can draw. Hmmm...maybe that means I can do anything?



Maybe that means you can too!


"Don't give up until you drink from the silver cup!
You never know until you try."
                            (Song lyric -"Lonely people"
                          by America)



25 comments:

Elizabeth Edwards said...

definitely your perspective means the most in life. how you see things. change them. art is a personal love or like. enjoy your week. (:

terriporter said...

I definitely fall into the "I can't draw" category! Stick figures, that's all I can manage. But to look at your drawings in this post, I would never think they came from someone who didn't think they could draw! So maybe there's hope! My mother is a wonderful artist and I just always thought I didn't inherit her talent. But, come to think of it, I've never really tried! So glad you're having fun with this!

Roxi H said...

I love your little sketches. I think they are very good. Just think what you'll be drawing in a couple months from now.... Thanks for the push. I've been thinking about trying this again after many decades.

Dotti said...

Wow, Carol! Well done!!! Love this post. I picked my college major in part because it had no math prequisites. Yeah! Then I landed a job in a finance office of a college. I quickly learned that I can do math ... IF I PUT MY MIND TO IT. And pretty much that's what I hear you telling us: PUT OUR MINDS TO IT. And ... since, like you and Terri, I've always wished I could draw ... I think I just may try ...

Also love all of our friend Jeanine's Daily Doodles!

Carol said...

I'm a big believer in positive thinking - I just never applied it to these areas where I was stuck. I'm here to say it works!

Carol said...

Terri - I couldn't even draw stick figures - and these faces were day 2 of the course!

Carol said...

I hope you do!

Carol said...

You know what "maturity" has made me realize, Dotti? I have realized that there is less mystery to things. Studying photography made me realize that I m learning the rules that make a good photograph. As I watch the cooking channel, I see there are rules to cooking - one ingredient is counter for another. This drawing class is the same way - certain basic rules start you out, and make it easier and more logical. I'm telling you - these sketches are from DAY 2 (!) of the class! I am amazed!

Dotti said...

I've bookmarked the site, plan to get supplies and get started!

Dotti said...

Hey, Terri ... Let's do this together ...

Deanna said...

You go girl...it is amazing how many things we can accomplish once we decide to at least give it a try. I have attempted drawing (not too well) but my daughter and my grandson are both excellent artists...so maybe I had the gene but just didn't try hard enough. Congrats on a new adventure!!

kelly said...

wow carol! i can't believe you didn't think you could draw!! these faces are so great! and love what you said in reply to dotti's comment about learning the rules. and you're so right on! so from now on, intead of saying 'i can't ____' i'm going to say i haved mastered all the rules yet, but i'm trying.' :)

Carol said...

Oh - I love that Kelly! I'm going to say that too!

Carol said...

Thanks for the good wishes! I'm really enjoying this.

Carol said...

Yay Dotti! Send me your first little faces!

Patti said...

I am so happy for you!

I have to check out that class.

heyjudephotography said...

Carol I'm so proud of you and so amazed at how great these drawings are! Day 2! wow! So true, so true - we need to stop the negative thinking and put our energies into trying. This post makes me want to try too! Hey, this looks like the year we're all going to get out there and "do" it! No matter what the "it" is!

Kim Stevens said...

Yes, yes you can! It's amazing what we can do when we just try, right? One day I decided I was going to take a watercolor painting class, never painted before (well except when I was a kid) and found out I can! We can all do so many things, but who says we have to be perfect at them, or know all the rules...rules sometimes restrict our creativity. After all art is something that should fuel growth in our soul! I just got out my charcoal pencils and watercolors again...weeeee.....!!

Carol said...

I am so excited that I lit a fire here! Hurray for your charcoals! I'm surprised you can appreciate this because you are an artist! But here come the charcoals -I love it!

Carol said...

I wish you luck. The class is cheap and quick and fun! Check it out!

Carol said...

Thanks for being proud of me! Maybe it's the kid in me -but I love when someone says that!

CarolHart said...

Wow, your faces are amazing! I too have told myself I can't draw. I'm going over to that site right now. Awesome post and so inspiring!

Michele.NYC said...

I love these Carol. If I can ever find a few free minutes I'd love to try this and impress my nieces!

Carol said...

Yes! I used to have a boss who would sign his notes with a little characature of his face and I always wanted to do that too!

Carol said...

I hope Jane gets lots of business because she presents a great product! Have fun!

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