Why I draw what I draw…
I sat in the sun and had tea and strawberries with a fellow blogger a few days ago. He was quizzing me on why I draw what I draw and trying to persuade me to change my habits and my outlook. His view is that my drawings are myopic and generic (his words). I think he has a point. I do draw what’s in front of me and that is could be described as myopic. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. What’s in front of me is what’s happening in my life and often that is quiet and often not very different from one day to the next (perhaps why he thinks my subject matter is generic). The pleasure I get from drawing is not from what I’m drawing, but rather that I am drawing.
My blogging friend much prefers the drawings I make when I’m on my travels - he thinks I’m happier then (and he’s probably right). It would be great to be out and about in the world drawing all the time - for now that’s not the way my life is. When I started to draw it was because I wasn’t well enough to paint. Now, happily I am much better, but I still have my limits. Drawing (and what I choose to draw) fits in with those limits most of the time. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like things to be different, but for now it’s okay…
July 17th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
your friend’s comments/critiques got you thinking
and that’s always a good thing
to ask from time to time
why do i do what i do…the way i do?
but
when listening to others, i try to remember a bit of wisdom my sister shared with me about people’s opinions: “most of what people say–even when directed at you– is not about you”
i think it’s true, most of the time anyway.
He really likes your travel drawings…and wants to see more of them….that’s what i take from what he said.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
van Gogh painted what he could see from his room at times; he painted his room; he painted an huge amount of self portraits. We draw and paint what we need to, what can. It’s good just to make art.
July 18th, 2006 at 9:04 am
I find it very hard to take criticism (even to hear others being criticised) but your friend made you think and you reached your conclusion. Changing oneself is not easy even when we know what we would like to be! Being happy with the here and now is a lovely feeling.
July 18th, 2006 at 9:19 am
Well it would be great if you were drawing your travels because that would mean you were well enough to travel. But the fact that you’re able to draw at all is quite something. I know when I’m at the lower end of my personal M.E. spectrum I can spend an afternoon gazing into middle distance, wanting a cup of tea but knowing there’s no way I can get to the kitchen to make one - writing would be beyond me - and drawing always is as I don’t have the talent.
I love your everyday objects - they are charming in themselves and an inspiration in that they show your interaction with the world no matter how expanded or contracted your current possibilities. Thank you
July 18th, 2006 at 10:34 am
My words sound harsh, extracted as they are from our garden chat and thrown against the white of this page. You know I didn’t mean to suggest you go travelling in search of new or unusual objects with drawings of which to charm others. We were sharing thoughts about our generally quiet lives, about imposed routines and the rhythms of our everyday. There are things around and close to you that you choose not to draw, and I was wondering why. I hope this doesn’t mean you won’t come back for tea.
July 18th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Of course it doesn’t Harry. I shall look forward very much to our next cuppa together (and I might even draw the cup again).
July 18th, 2006 at 3:03 pm
all these questionings seem to announce a new cycle
;o)
July 18th, 2006 at 4:00 pm
I thin you hit the nail on the head with your comment that you ARE drawing at all! I find your drawing inspirational, and I hope they continue…and grow as you feel they should. Your art is about you. Keep it up, please!
July 18th, 2006 at 5:16 pm
I recall in something by Tom Robbins, perhaps Another Roadside Attraction, that “the function of the artist is to point out what life does not.” I love your drawings because they do just that…all those things that make up our lives.
I, too, have had CFS, well, at the time that is what they thought is was, so I totally understand where you are coming from. Turned out after years of dealing with CFS, I tested positive for Lyme Disease which I wouldn’t wish on anybody. I will share this with you, however. The expert doc I saw for CFS finally has discovered that 75% of her CFS patients have tested positive for Lyme Disease and current research from her office is proving it out. The tests for the Lyme borelia bacteria are much more accurate now. Just something for you to consider.
But keep on drawing…I love your work and find it inspires my own. Kay
July 19th, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Selfishly speaking, Michael - pleased don’t change doing what you are doing. It is interesting to come to know you through your drawings. They are honest and personal and just wonderful.
July 25th, 2006 at 7:58 am
To see what is in front of us takes patience and determination. Once we have done this we may see further. It’s a long road that has no turning, and what comes around goes around, at the end of the day.