Art making is not a competitive sport. Being intimidated by what others do, by the clarity of their vision, the steadiness of their line, means thwarting the very thing that will get you to where you want to be. If you don't draw because others, who have done it longer and more often, do it 'better' you are robbing yourself.
Give yourself analogies. Should you stop jogging because some people finish marathons in a a couple of hours? Should you stop cooking your family dinner because you love the food great chefs prepare in four star restaurants? Should you stop writing emails because of Shakespeare's poetry? Should you stop contributing to your favorite charity because of Mother Teresa's example?
There are always going to be people who are doing work you admire. Celebrate them. Buy reproductions of their work (or better yet, originals) . Study what they do, how they learned. Study their teachers and heroes to to learn where they came from. Absorb as much as you can. Then lay your influences aside, take a deep breath and plunge in. Get in touch with yourself, the unique you, the only one of your kind. Express that uniqueness. Do it again and again, getting ever closer to the truth.
If you must be self-critical, make it constructive and specific. How can you accomplish what you want? Are you clear on what that is? And bear in mind that by committing to your art, you are becoming a hero to some other novice. As you look at those ahead of you, be aware of those who are following your example.
And, most importantly, as you proceed down the path to your goals, enjoy the view. Never lose your sense of pleasure in each drawing you make, even if it's not 'good enough'. The pleasure is in the making.
Your pal,
Danny
Comments
This is precious.
Half the time I become incredibly self-critical and compare myself with people who have been doing art for a long time. I end up unhappy with what I do and when I think about it, yes, I am robbing myself of the joy in creating.
Thanks for this reminder, Danny.
Posted by: Ruthie | January 2, 2006 02:40 PM
the analogies are interesting and a little too close to home...ouch!...
how much of my life will I continue to not do something, because its been done before??? makes it impossible to move forward and is obviously, completely absurd!!!..
I hope my new journal of brave, scrawling drawings gets me out of this stupid rut!...
Posted by: fern | January 2, 2006 07:00 PM
Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely...
You are going to have to write a "sister" book for musicians someday, because all of these concepts are so-o-o valid for us as well.
Once again, my hat's off to you.
Posted by: Paul V | January 2, 2006 10:50 PM
Wow.
Moving.
Posted by: Southern Bird | January 6, 2006 08:13 PM
I am putting together an entire journal curriculum for my HS age art students. Your book, which I bought, and this site as well as your insights are precious. I hope WE can keep these kids expressing themselves their entire lives! (if only pony girls wasn't on your site, I could send kids here:)
Posted by: Kate Madsen | January 20, 2006 07:48 AM
Thanks, Kate. I would love to know more about what you are doing and how the students respond to this program. I can bury Pony Girls if it will make the site more useful to you.
Your pal,
Danny
Posted by: danny | January 20, 2006 07:59 AM