I found a sketch pad of mine from high school at my parents' house this weekend. When I was in high school, I was really into drawing and painting. I thought I might go to art school... Anyway, I took all the art courses my high school offered and had planned to go to art school but decided during the second half of my senior year to go the safe route and NOT go. The decision was also partially influenced by a class trip my Studio Art II class had taken to the MOMA to see a Matisse (my fave artist btw) exhibit. Although inspiring, it intimidated the shit out of me...seeing the work of a man who basically...lived, ate, and breathed his art -- like all artists out there. I didn't think I could maintain a lifetime of being artistically motivated and prolific like he was. It sounded thoroughly exhausting and a lot of hard work for little pay and recognition, just doing something simply for the love of it. And...I wanted to be able to eat and pay NYC rent...
Anyway, this was in that sketch pad of mine that I had when I was a freshman in high school. I can't remember who I was sketching or why I didn't finish this drawing. In high school, I used to love to draw and paint faces and eyes and people....which is ironic because with my photography, I don't like taking pics of people and prefer NOT to take portrait shots. Funny, right?
This sketch isn't great. Maybe it's ok. I can see now where I would improve on this. In high school, I participated in some local arts competitions (never won) and had one of my pieces displayed in a local museum in NJ my senior year (exhibition for local high school artists -- nothing big, but you had to be chosen by your art teacher to submit a piece and be selected). I think I had some talent that could have really developed into something, had I the guts to pursue a career in the arts. But it's so personal to me...like pouring out my soul onto paper for other people to shit on and critique. The art world isn't easy or kind.
Sometimes I miss drawing...a lot. Actually, I think I miss it all the time...but it's buried deep...kind of like a dull pain that only becomes acute when I think about it.
Well...enough of that. I took a pic of this because eventually, I will probably throw the sketch pad away...
This past Friday night my sister, my girl friends and I tried to go to the rooftop garden at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a few drinks, but by the time we got there, the rooftop was at capacity and they weren't letting anyone up. Instead, we walked around the Met at night, which in all my years of living in or around NYC, I have never done.
If you ever get a chance to go to the Met at night, I suggest you do. It's absolutely lovely...
@d_lopes Hey, Deyvid, thanks! I didn't know what to do with my life until I was 28 and I went to get my undergrad in a degree I have no use for anymore...but I don't regret it. Education is important...but it's not something contained within walls of a university or art school. I think an important thing is to immerse yourself in your interests to find out who you are and what you want to become...it wasn't until I did that when I realized what to do with my life. I will always love art. I don't regret not going to art school but I do regret not spending the time and energy in developing my skill -- be it as a hobby or taking classes. If you go to art school, good luck! :) I know from your pictures you have a lot of creative ideas.
Thank you.
Right now I'm loosing my interest in art, and I feel like I'm letting myself down. It could be that I'm looking for some one to motivate me, or something to inspire me. Hopefully I can find that motivation in time.
@d_lopes I know that feeling of letting yourself down. When I was struggling with the decision to go to art school or when I struggled to produce something, I felt a lot of...guilt, for lack of a better word. Like, I *should* have been doing something better than I was. But I found that if I just took a step back a little bit and even just practiced basic technique, I eventually found some motivation. Hope you find yours soon too. I think you will.
I can't paint to save my life, but photography has been an avenue of sorts to allow "artistic expression"??? Not that I consider photography an art, but that's a discussion for another time.
@bobfoto the photography as art is definitely an interesting discussion... It definitely allows for artistic expression though. I dig it. And my tags...hehe. I never tagged any of my photos until this year...
Your sketch was turning out nicely. It's way better than what my colleagues could do in high school.
Right now I'm loosing my interest in art, and I feel like I'm letting myself down. It could be that I'm looking for some one to motivate me, or something to inspire me. Hopefully I can find that motivation in time.