Friday, June 19, 2015

Drawing Conclusions


For the artist, drawing is discovery. And that is not just a slick phrase; it is quite literally true.
John Berger

I mentioned in an earlier blog entry that I am taking a class online on drawing. It's been a revelation. I started with the intention of learning to draw for embroidery and to keep a sketchbook. Now it is taking a life of it's own. Every night I find myself ftaking a simple object and drawing it. Nothing fancy, just me, an object, a pencil and piece of paper. The process is what is amazing. I have always read about flow or entering "the zone". I've had moments of it, but between the drawing and how it is helping my embroidery, now I know it as a regular experience. I find myself working several hours after I come home in the evening. I go into my studio area, turn on rock and roll, start the process and suddenly Bella is nudging at me it's bed time. I hadn't realized that 3-5 hours have gone by.

The only down side...I'm supposed to be studying for state exams.  Although I hold licensure in other states, I cannot just transfer them, so I've had to dance to Cali's tune. And I  have no passion for it, I'm doing it pro forma for supporting new career opportunities .I'm not burnt out. I still enjoy people, but I'm finding that new things are opening my mind to what might be possible in the future. For instance today I took my guitar and dulcimer and played for our patients as one had requested I do it. Playing old familiar standards from different eras I had staff/patients singing. I actually had a few patients play the dulcimer. They didn't think they could, but it is reportedly the simplest instrument to learn to play and today was proof. The looks on their face when they completed a simple song was inspiring It was also joyful and satisfying in a way that I haven't experienced in a long time. So the conclusion I'm beginning to think of is that perhaps I need to find a way to use my skills to help people discover their inner creativity.

We'll see though.  It's a bit like being between a rock and a hard place....

Rolling Stones, 'Rock and A Hard Place':

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