practice, practice, practice

Inspiration and motivation can be found in the most unsuspecting places. I was watching a tv show, and the main plot was this boys desire to go to art collage and the journey he takes to accomplish this. I, like many artists at least considered going at one point. Ultimately I chose to make my own way, without attending any form of transitional post-secondary education. But in watching this show I was inspired to practice. To challenge myself for the sake of growing and refining. 


I took it all the way back to my high school days with a warm-up my then art teacher had us do regularly. I couldn’t tell you if it has a proper name or tittle, but I just call it 1-5-10. You have a still life set up, as complex or simple as you can manage, and you sketch it three separate times. First time you only have 1 minute, the goal is to get started and not think so hard but also get basic shape and form in a timely manor. Secondly you get 5 minutes, here you should be able to get the whole thing down, the item or items should be readily recognizable. Lastly you have 10 minutes, at this point I can usually get a good amount of shading in and sometimes even some good details. 


For the past week I’ve been doing this exercise once a day and I’ve learned a few things about myself, both past and present. One of them being that I can clearly see how much I’ve grown in even wanting to practice something that I can already do just fine. Now don’t get me wrong it is highly unlikely I’ll start diving into realism, it’s more about working the muscles of the basics. 


I’ve lived in a want to want state with my art for a long time. It has been a long hard road to being at the place where I don’t just want to want, I can now take the want and put acton to it. I feel like a broken record talking about how long the road has been for my process, but its the honest truth. I said once before that its okay if it take drawing that mountain 15 times till it gets out of your system or you find that truth you were looking for. So I guess I’ll stop talking about the change when it stops changing. 


As a younger version of myself practice was something to loath. It’s what got in the way of really doing the things. Now at 22, not all that much older, I see practice as a blessing, as something I am privileged to do and have time for. I look forward to practice time, where I can be free to simply try and do my best to learn over time. 


Whether you choose formal education or you teach yourself practice is an unavoidable part of the process and life. I’ve found the grace to enjoy the process in all of its stages, including practice. 

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