I’ve been asked to explain what “the point” was with the 30 Day Sketch Project. You might ask me if I identify as a creative person and an artist shouldn’t I sketch everyday anyway?
Wobbly Waitress
When I was a teen, sketching & drawing was done without much thought, that is to say – if the mood struck me, I would sit down and draw something. Sometimes these worked out great, sometimes they did not. To me it didn’t really matter as my enjoyment was derived from the process of drawing or painting, not the finished project. I scribbled on a piece of paper once to test out some new art sticks I purchased and those random lines inspired a pile of finished drawings and a dozen metal sculptures.
Over time, however, you begin to focus more on the finished product and it becomes more difficult to live up to your previous work. Many people speak of having a fear of the white page. I’m no different. I purchased better quality supplies and didn’t want to waste them on a mistake or a test. Also, more practical concerns took over my life and before I knew it I found I had not completed a finished piece in over a decade.
(well maybe one or two)
This isn’t to say I did not create during this time, but my focus was definitely not on my drawing. Still the creative spark finds a way. I have a box filled with old work notebooks and school pages which contain doodles up down every page. They inspired a project too, but I’ll cover that some other time.
After a year of volunteer work which took up most of my free time, I found I was finally able to focus on my own interests again. Art was a natural choice. I was always talking about “doing art” again and over the years I had aquired quite a stack of supplies. Finding some free time I grabbed some paper and a few supplies and there is was FEAR! Feel free to insert ominous music and thunder effects here.
I thought to myself how ridiculous the reaction was, but it was there anyway and would not go away. I knew I should make sketching a daily part of my life, I knew the creative wells were rusted from being abandoned and I knew that I didn’t have the confidence to make a mark in all those pretty sketchbooks I’ve purchased. But what could I do to get the machine going again?
Woman With Wrap
I decided that I would make myself draw something everyday and that what I drew it on would not matter – notepads, gum wrappers old cereal boxes, all were fair game. While I can’t say I resorted to cereal boxes (not yet anyway), I did quickly find that this process started to help me overcome the white page fear. In addition I decided to post this stuff on my facebook account because sharing is way more fun then just saving it for myself. I also believed that if I shared the bad stuff along with the good stuff it might also start to chip away at the fears.
Sharing it turned out to be so much better than I expected. I actually got some positive feedback and it inspired me to keep going and to have fun with what I’m doing. While I know I have a very long road ahead of me, in terms of skill development, I already feel that the wheels of creativity have started to turn and it’s a good place to be in.
Mt Fuji Mushroom