I Don't Know How to Draw, Either...
...as in, I haven't ever taken drawing lessons, or anything like that. But when our first kid was old enough to start drawing things on paper, I realized something Picasso also knew,
"Every child is an artist." ~ Pablo Picasso
And about the same time, it occurred to me that art is subjective. So subjective, that there is room for
Van Gogh
Picasso
Vermeer
Mary Cassatt
and ...me?
Those artists are So Very Different from one another and yet there are many who love each style of art. So, then, if art is subjective, then there is no "right" or "wrong" about it, correct? It's hard for me, as an adult, to accept that in regard to my own drawing abilities, but it's easy to encourage the kids. When ours ask how to draw a sky or a house or a tree, I say, "What do you see? Only you can draw what you see." *
After saying that "every child is an artist," Picasso also said,
"The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
That is so true! We become inhibited by our insecurities, comparing our work (and ourselves!) to others, until we are no longer brave enough to try.
With a why-not-I-don't-have-to-let-anyone-see attitude, and spurred on by not wanting to be a hypocrite, I started buying a few art supplies now and then.
I take that little watercolor set (purchased at Hobby Lobby) with me when we go to the bay, the beach, or kayaking. It's tiny, it's travelable and best of all, it's hideable (I'm not that self-confident!). I don't know what I'm doing - as in, technique - but am learning as I go. It's yet another of those rewarding learning journeys in life, there for the taking if we'll just try.
Usually, no, always, one or another of my little people comes up to me to ask if they can paint, too.
The answer is always "yes."
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*Later, we can learn perspective and some techniques together. I've read somewhere that age 9 is a good age to start learning the fundamentals of drawing. Before that, self-confidence and enjoyment are the top priorities.
