Art and creative practices

[Depression = 72% of members]

A small update, I've had 2 classes now, the first one was really anxiety-inducing, plus I was learning some techniques that did not feel natural to me at all. 

The second class, I reconnected with why I like doing art in the first place, I am pretty hopeless at meditation but for me drawing or painting can lead to a sort of a focused attention that serves a similar purpose.  I got back into a mode of paying attention to what I see that I'm drawing, the tactile sensations of the pencil on the page, "trying things out to see how they go".

A small update, I've had 2 classes now, the first one was really anxiety-inducing, plus I was learning some techniques that did not feel natural to me at all. 

The second class, I reconnected with why I like doing art in the first place, I am pretty hopeless at meditation but for me drawing or painting can lead to a sort of a focused attention that serves a similar purpose.  I got back into a mode of paying attention to what I see that I'm drawing, the tactile sensations of the pencil on the page, "trying things out to see how they go".

That's great eeks! Its hard to get back to simple passion for what we love doing. I am going thru it too, just finished a painting today just staying focused has been real hard, I cannot believe I am in this place of learning how to feel and express myself.

[Eye438]

A small update, I've had 2 classes now, the first one was really anxiety-inducing, plus I was learning some techniques that did not feel natural to me at all. 

The second class, I reconnected with why I like doing art in the first place, I am pretty hopeless at meditation but for me drawing or painting can lead to a sort of a focused attention that serves a similar purpose.  I got back into a mode of paying attention to what I see that I'm drawing, the tactile sensations of the pencil on the page, "trying things out to see how they go".

A small update, I've had 2 classes now, the first one was really anxiety-inducing, plus I was learning some techniques that did not feel natural to me at all. 

The second class, I reconnected with why I like doing art in the first place, I am pretty hopeless at meditation but for me drawing or painting can lead to a sort of a focused attention that serves a similar purpose.  I got back into a mode of paying attention to what I see that I'm drawing, the tactile sensations of the pencil on the page, "trying things out to see how they go".

That's great eeks! Its hard to get back to simple passion for what we love doing. I am going thru it too, just finished a painting today just staying focused has been real hard, I cannot believe I am in this place of learning how to feel and express myself.

[HappyNihilist]

A small update, I've had 2 classes now, the first one was really anxiety-inducing, plus I was learning some techniques that did not feel natural to me at all. 

The second class, I reconnected with why I like doing art in the first place, I am pretty hopeless at meditation but for me drawing or painting can lead to a sort of a focused attention that serves a similar purpose.  I got back into a mode of paying attention to what I see that I'm drawing, the tactile sensations of the pencil on the page, "trying things out to see how they go".

That's awesome, eeks! I'm so glad you're reconnecting with your creative side, and allowing yourself to enjoy the pleasure of creating.

Are you planning to go back for another class?

Even if not, I hope you continue your art. You're right, it is a form of meditation. I can't draw or paint for crap, but I often meditate by coloring.

[eeks]

A small update, I've had 2 classes now, the first one was really anxiety-inducing, plus I was learning some techniques that did not feel natural to me at all. 

The second class, I reconnected with why I like doing art in the first place, I am pretty hopeless at meditation but for me drawing or painting can lead to a sort of a focused attention that serves a similar purpose.  I got back into a mode of paying attention to what I see that I'm drawing, the tactile sensations of the pencil on the page, "trying things out to see how they go".

That's awesome, eeks! I'm so glad you're reconnecting with your creative side, and allowing yourself to enjoy the pleasure of creating.

Are you planning to go back for another class?

Even if not, I hope you continue your art. You're right, it is a form of meditation. I can't draw or paint for crap, but I often meditate by coloring.

Yeah, I'm going to go back, it's an 8 week course I think. 

Do you mean those colouring books for adults?  I've seen those, the designs look pretty cool. 

I'm willing to bet you can draw better than you think you can.  There are a bunch of exercises for this, if you are interested in learning.  You could try drawing with your non-dominant hand.  Or (I forget what this technique is called) do not look at the paper, look at the object/person you are drawing, and do not lift your pencil/pen from the page. 

I am often horrified by the results when I do this, I won't lie, but the purpose is to get your brain out of the rut of drawing symbolically (like little kids, a tree is a ball on a stick) and into drawing what you actually see.

[eeks]

I am often horrified by the results when I do this, I won't lie, but the purpose is to get your brain out of the rut of drawing symbolically (like little kids, a tree is a ball on a stick) and into drawing what you actually see.

Today was the last class.  I wanted to follow up on this part, yes it's true, while in the middle of the processes (we were working on finding the light and shadow areas of the still life and model) I was like "ughhh, I suck at this... ." but then something happens and "wow", it all comes together. 

So I am proud of myself because

- I kept going back.  Before nearly every class I considered not going.  (a lot of nasty inner critic/superego stuff "this isn't worth doing when you're not going to be able to make a living at it"

- If I hadn't braved the "ugly" part of the process I wouldn't have seen the pleasing results

- I grasped the techniques the instructor was teaching, understood his constructive criticism and was able to make changes to my painting that I was pleased with the improvement

[Eye438]

I am often horrified by the results when I do this, I won't lie, but the purpose is to get your brain out of the rut of drawing symbolically (like little kids, a tree is a ball on a stick) and into drawing what you actually see.

Today was the last class.  I wanted to follow up on this part, yes it's true, while in the middle of the processes (we were working on finding the light and shadow areas of the still life and model) I was like "ughhh, I suck at this... ." but then something happens and "wow", it all comes together. 

So I am proud of myself because

- I kept going back.  Before nearly every class I considered not going.  (a lot of nasty inner critic/superego stuff "this isn't worth doing when you're not going to be able to make a living at it"

- If I hadn't braved the "ugly" part of the process I wouldn't have seen the pleasing results

- I grasped the techniques the instructor was teaching, understood his constructive criticism and was able to make changes to my painting that I was pleased with the improvement

[Eye438]

I am often horrified by the results when I do this, I won't lie, but the purpose is to get your brain out of the rut of drawing symbolically (like little kids, a tree is a ball on a stick) and into drawing what you actually see.

Today was the last class.  I wanted to follow up on this part, yes it's true, while in the middle of the processes (we were working on finding the light and shadow areas of the still life and model) I was like "ughhh, I suck at this... ." but then something happens and "wow", it all comes together. 

So I am proud of myself because

- I kept going back.  Before nearly every class I considered not going.  (a lot of nasty inner critic/superego stuff "this isn't worth doing when you're not going to be able to make a living at it"

- If I hadn't braved the "ugly" part of the process I wouldn't have seen the pleasing results

- I grasped the techniques the instructor was teaching, understood his constructive criticism and was able to make changes to my painting that I was pleased with the improvement

Thats great! Sometimes being so technical about making art gets in the way of emotion and passion, I taught for a while and have no art degree. My method is and has been draw/paint what you see and feel then it all comes together. In the end it is a personal choice of how we start that process of creative expression.

[Panda39]

Eeks,

Kudos for pushing through the discomfort of going to the class.  Keep that momentum going!

Nice Job 

Panda39