Short Stuff from the Southcoast, MA – After thirty-plus years in advertising and marketing, it’s hard to shut off the part of my brain where those skills and experiences reside. While working on, developing and preparing my anyone can draw concept, I realized that – it’s not about the drawing stupid!
When I surveyed students in my community learning based art classes as to why they were giving up several nights of prime-time television to learn how to draw or paint, their answers were almost universal. They were, attempting to or, determined to, go back to a point in their childhood where art was very important to them. They all felt as though the joy they experienced doing art was, taken away from or denied, them.
Many were also left with the nagging doubt or question(s) as to whether they were actually any good at art (drawing). Most of them described how they were either commanded or instructed to: focus on more important things. They also were told that they couldn’t make a living doing that so they should concentrate on a more serious profession.
These adult students were, in effect, the walking wounded. Yet, despite this yearning to reconnect with the joy they experienced in their childhoods, they still misunderstood, or perhaps more correctly, didn’t quite realize that what they experienced as children was both spiritual and emotional. Drawing, as I’ve submitted previously is spiritual. It is either an individual (private) or community (public) expression of their reality. It is then, very spiritual and, as such, is highly emotional as well.
However, as with most religions, which are organized communal demonstrations of faith; there are precepts and cannons to follow. And, if Saint Augustine was correct, then, the reward of faith is belief. Just to be clear here, religion is communal, organizes the system of belief and offers individuals proof of the value of their faith. Drawing then, in my opinion, is no different.
If I may - if drawing is the religion - then there are rites, rituals and rules which define it. Therefore, there must be levels of participation starting with induction after a specified period of training and indoctrination. After the individual is accepted into the fold, they continue their spiritual education which is marked by specific events or milestones.
To learn how to Draw requires a structured indoctrination. The idea of free-spirited expression may be charming but, as with anything of true and lasting value; it requires patience, discipline and practice. Many first-time students become frustrated because they cannot curb their enthusiasm. And since we also live in a world of instant gratification; it’s harder to be patient. There are no shortcuts. There are no tricks per say.
There are, however, proven methods, manners and practices. For example, how to set up and use an easel. How to properly hold the drawing or mark making tool. How to isolate a scene or motif and so much more. How does this deliver the promise of a spiritual and emotional journey of self-discovery? Well, Mary Poppins said that a, "pie crust promise is easily made and easily broken.” So I want to be perfectly clear here. I can keep my promise to you of this spiritual and emotional journey of self-discovery if you give yourself the chance to allow me to prove it to you.
Once a student allows the teacher to guide them on this journey that is more mysterious and unknown than the student may realize; the self-discovery begins. So, instead of my drawing course being about learning a craft, it’s about learning about yourself and the world around you. You can learn and use drawing as a form of meditation that will offer you not only a spiritual and emotional journey of self-discovery but something concrete that you can share with others – your drawing!
I'm continuing on my journey to define drawing and to improve on its instruction in a manner in which anyone can learn to draw. I continue as well to develop my drawing blog in order to assist me to learn and be a better teacher. In the meantime, please join me.
Sign up for The Joy of Drawing starting on June 7th (Tues 6:30-8:30 pm) at Artworks in New Bedford. I'll teach you the Seven Ts of learning to draw - Teacher, Trust, Time, Tools, Talent, Technique and Temperament
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