Let's Get Tapping
I'm just not that creative.
I don't have a creative bone in my body.
You've heard one of these. Maybe you've even said one of these.
STOP! RIGHT! THERE! Of course you can. You certainly are. You just need to try.
Personally, I've always wanted to be able to paint or draw something that didn't look like it was a preschool art project. On more than one occasion I "almost" signed up for a class. Then I talked myself out of it. I couldn't do it. There were quite a few reasons, and I believed them all.
Do you know what I discovered? I was wrong. Maybe you are too. Don't get me wrong, I don't consider myself a professional artist, haven't had any formal training, and I won't be quitting my day job. I keep plugging away because I enjoy it. I can get lost in it. I can share my creativity, ideas, and feelings. I can connect with people.
Creativity isn't passive. If you want to do or make something, first you have to attempt it. Sounds simple enough, right? Then you have to keep doing it. You'll get better and find your style or version of whatever it is that you're trying to do. Or maybe you'll find your way to another art form.
Are you going to make a million bucks selling your artwork? Are you going to write a best seller? Are you going to get it perfectly right on the first attempt? Maybe, maybe not.
If you enjoy what you're doing, keep doing it. Others may appreciate your work, but others will not. The important thing is that you're getting something from it. I've made lovely artworks which I've given as gifts and use in my home. I've even been fortunate enough to have others appreciate what I've made and purchase it.
Then again, I've also been asked if there wasn't something better that I could do with my time. Someone else was kind enough to offer a critique of a mixed media project I made by telling me that it gave them a headache. (OUCH!)
A Little Encouragement
A few more that are pretty surprising....
- Walt Disney was fired from a job because he "lacked imagination."
- Thomas Edison was expelled from school because he was considered "too stupid to learn anything." He tried nearly 1,000 times to invent the light bulb before he got it right. (Lucky us! I would have stuck with candles.)
- Fred Astaire failed miserably at his first screen test..."Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little."
- Dr. Seuss's first book was rejected by 27 publishers. Just consider that. No Cat In The Hat? I cannot see, how that world would be. (I just couldn't resist adding my own...hehehe.)
- Elvis, The Beatles, Beethoven, Steven Spielberg, and Lady Gaga were dismissed by the powers that be, but kept on trying.
You know what you like and what you don't like. Start there. Keep a notebook or journal and jot down ideas, memories, feelings, paste in photos that you like, sketch an object or scene, practice your art. Find your inspiration.
Are there others out there who will produce better work than you and I? I guess that depends on how you look at it. They may have engaging writing or perfectly balanced, composed, and executed art. What they will never have? Our thoughts, experiences, feelings and ideas.
Regardless of whether you create for a living, pure enjoyment, or a combination of both, it's a very personal thing. It's your interpretation.
Other Excuses
*Time*
Come on. Time can be found when you really WANT to do something. You know it's true. If you want to do it you can and you will. You might have to make some adjustments, but you can get it done.*Money*
Free classes can be found locally and you can find a tutorial for just about anything on the internet. Supplies don't have to be expensive either. Repurpose supplies you have. Check your local dollar store or thrift shop. Use coupons and shop sales. Build up your supplies slowly. If your art is writing these probably won't apply and your cost would be minimal so you can't even use this one!*Skills*
Those can be learned. We weren't born walking and talking right? Think about it. Those are some serious skill sets to learn! Take a class, look online, get a book, talk to friends, join a local group (check MeetUp, Craig's list, libraries, community centers, etc.).So what are you waiting for? Isn't there something that you need to get to?
Thanks for stopping by,
Terri
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