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Thursday, September 20, 2012

Art: It's About the Journey

I'm currently taking a drawing course--the first I've ever taken, a basic course.

Last night I was talking with my teacher (Hillary Hogue) about the drawing I was working on in class--a self-portrait (all the students were doing self-portraits)--and I had a few questions. She could tell I was focusing on the outcome of the drawing. She explained that drawing is about the journey. When you go on a journey, it's not about the photographs you bring home, it's about the journey. Drawing is about the journey, the getting there, not the final product. Drawing is being in the moment. It's the experience along the way that counts.

I took what she said to heart, using it the best way I could. Low and behold, my self-portrait turned out to be a pretty fair likeness of myself. From now on, I'll try to be in the moment when drawing. It's about the experience. That's the joy of drawing.

Isn't that also the joy of writing? It's the experience along the way, the being in the moment, that matters.

11 comments:

Julia Hones said...

Great post, Richard. I feel the same way when I write and when I paint with pastels. It is the journey that I enjoy the most. (The last two photographs of my blog entries are my own artwork - abstract paintings).

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Julia, your art work is very colorful. I like it.

Luanne G. Smith said...

Yeah, I think that's sort of true. I tend to exercise a lot of emotions in my writing, letting my main character lead the way. While I think you do have to have a vision of what you want to accomplish, there are lots of ways to get there and one shouldn't be afraid of exploring those different options.

Lea said...

I agree. It's not just the finished art or the story. It's the "art" of getting there. About enjoying the journey as much as the destination.

Juliana L. Brandt said...

Richard, this is so true! I'm so glad I read this post of yours. Since I've been in query-land lately, I've been all 'focus on the end product of a book,' but I found the inspiration for a new book a couple days ago and have gotten back into the love of the journey.

Thanks for helping me refocus :)

Saumya said...

This is a great post. I love how you depicted the process of drawing. It's something I'm not good at and often get frustrated by. Glad you're in a class! I've been trying to get my mom to join one and it takes a lot of courage and motivation. New to your blog and excited to follow along!

Tanya Reimer said...

YES!!!!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

She sounds like a good teacher. And yes, it's definitely the journey I love.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Richard, looks like that you not only have a great teacher, you are also a wonderful student.Do share your drawings with us.

Peggy Eddleman said...

I love how you related it to writing! Also, I'm extremely impressed that you're doing a self-portrait in your first class! I've taken plenty of drawing classes in my day, but I can't say I could ever do a self-portrait. You're amazing!

Tess Julia said...

You're right, the art of drawing and writing is a journey. Glad you're enjoying the experience.