Just Bloggin'

"Art is in the doing. It isn't important how it turns out. The process is where the pleasure, the learning and the experience take place. A day without some sort of creative endeavor is a wasted day." Myrna Wacknov, "Splendid Over 60" , article from the latest issue of The Artist's Magazine.

This quote is so true and such an inspiration in its own way. Creativity and "art" is the act of being brave enough to find your self-expression, your style, your "voice," through deliberate acts of artistic experimentation. It's the courage to make mistakes in that creative journey of discovering yourself. Art really isn't easy, as many people think, but it's a worthy endeavour that brings a special delight to one's heart for having taken up the challenge. Often you discover more about yourself than you expected.

Making art or being creative is something everyone can do in one way or another. It really isn't just for the few who are "gifted," though ultimately, some do have a certain gift of a special vision because they cultivate it...or it may be an inate ability like math to someone else. It may be a particular brain function, a gift from God, or just plain hard work~! And, somebody is always going to br better at it than me or you because that's life, isn't it!? So, there's no use comparing...there's only learning!

It takes heart and bravery to face a few failures and awful looking results of our creative efforts to get to the good stuff! As a fine arts student, I often found...as did all of my fellow students...that we had to run through lots of pre-sketches and several painting attempts that got trashed before we could produce something of any beauty or worth! Many times it was boring and frustrating. Then, it was amazing and wonderful when just the perfect piece came out, finally! And came with such ease and flow!! It's part of the creative process!! We learned that it was just a part of it...a way to get to our best work.

I promise you that the best and most brilliant artists of all time painted and repainted their genius pieces many times over and threw out countless canvases and sketches before they produced the best of the best!!

So, please, don't give up on yourself if you're trying to create something new. Don't think you aren't creative or artistic just because your first effort or 2 or 3 looks dismal. Try it again. I always figure my first attempt is for the trash barrel.

It's like making pancakes....my first one or two always get tossed out..they look awful!! I like the next ones much better!!! :))

I have a beautiful hand illustrated/illuminated framed piece in my house that reads:

Love

The artist's earliest effort

wrought with care

The bard's first ballad

written...in his tears...

set by his later toil...seems

poor and tame...and into

nothing dwindles at the test

So..with the passions of the

maturer years...let those who

will--demand the first fond flame...

Give me the heart's last love (art)

for that is best...

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Here's to making art! And, here's to you brave souls who are willing to try this year of my Hopeful journey!!

Love and hugs,

Deb

PS: I received a sweet email from Myra whom I quoted at the beginning, tonight. She was happy to see the quote!