Wednesday, November 3, 2010

about being an "artist"

I have been doing artistic stuff a lot longer than I have been writing. Like, all my life. I've always enjoyed drawing and painting and cutting and gluing and squishing clay and all that.
I've only been writing about 4 years.

When I read something I've written I often think, "Wow. I wrote that? That's good! I like it!"

When I look at some art piece I've made I inevitably see only the mistakes and flaws and think, "Eh, it looks like I drew/painted/made it."

I guess I want my art to look like someone else did it. I also guess that the fact that it looks like I did it means that I have a unique style. It's just that to me, that style looks like a 5 year old.

But I had so many wonderful comments on the last post and I don't think people were lying. I think they meant them. So... it seems I need to figure out how to appreciate my own abilities in this area. I'm not sure how, though.

Seems this challenge is going to do me a lot of good.

Here's a wreath I made today with a form from the dollar store and some odds and ends I had stashed in a box.


4 comments:

  1. That's really pretty, Kay. Very seasonal and yet there are enough different accent colors that it doesn't shout "IT'S FALL" like a traditional orange and brown wreath might.

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  2. I love the fall wreath. I am happy to see some fall art, it seems everyone is skipping into Christmas.

    Just to add a comment on your post. I have the same problem. I never see the beauty in my work, just the spots where I see the "glaring" mistakes.

    It is true, NO ONE see the mistakes because they are only mistakes if you say they are. Other people look at your art with a kinder eye. They only see the beauty and the honesty of your work, they don't know how you intended it to look.

    It is more about letting go of what you think it should be and let it be what it is.

    I am working this out as much for me as for you. Thank you for allowing me to grow along with you ;)

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  3. Thank you everyone.

    Nelly, I was frustrated today at the store trying to find some autumn napkins and everything was Christmas. I'm all for enjoying one holiday at a time.
    And thank you for your thoughts. I'm glad someone else relates. I see some people mention how much they love one of their projects or how happy they are with it and it surprises me. Not because it's not good, but because I don't know how that feels.

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I love to hear your thoughts!