"I grew up believing that I was completely rubbish at art"
Apr 28, 2021
I hear it time and time again. People think that they are rubbish at art.
But why? Who has the right to define what "good art" is?
I often joke with my classes that if you do something differently to the way I teach it....the art police aren't going to hunt you down and arrest you.
Everyone is different, everyone has different talents. And I'm constantly made happy to hear people's stories of gaining or re-gaining their artistic confidence.
This is Clare's story:
"As I think I may have told you before, I grew up believing that I was completely rubbish at art, especially drawing. Your classes have been inspirational, and you are so wonderful in encouraging me/us all that everyone can be artistic and not to worry about mistakes because you can just change the piece accordingly!
I am so enjoying the variety of classes you provide, which are excellent, and I no longer think that I am completely rubbish - and that’s all through your fabulous teaching & making everything fun to do. (I will never forget my first class with you when the bird I drew/painted actually looked like a bird! In fact, I am quite proud of it!). You have opened up a new world for me.
For my birthday earlier this year, one of my sisters got me a fabulous art portfolio which I can now store all my work in (I’m not throwing anything away - following your adviceš!), and my other sister got me a picture frame which holds 3 pictures - it is so easy just to change them around depending upon what I have done week by week/month by month.
Following on from today’s conversation, I thought that I would send you a few photo’s of this frame with some of the different combinations of art that I have most recently displayed (behind our kitchen door, so that it’s very easy to see, but not too much in the open - still needing a bit of confidence to put anywhere elseš¤£).
My family are all most impressed with how I am progressing, and what I am achieving - they are the best art critique group I could have; so kind & encouragingš¤£."
I'm also amazed to hear when people are told that just because a sibling has a particular talent, that somehow rules them out from carrying on that hobby, rather the decision has been put down to talent over enjoyment.
This is Shannon's story:
“I was obliged to give up art when I was 14 and was always inhibited about trying to draw or paint because my older sister was very talented.
Now well over retirement age I had a yen to do something creative, especially the first lockdown began. Full of trepidation I joined Helen's drawing AND painting on line classes.
Helen is a great teacher, planning classes carefully and makes sure that EVERYONE has a positive experience and can create something lovely at the end of every class.
I was quite frankly amazed at being able . So much so that I have abandoned all sense of minimalism and modesty and started an art wall.
I was quite frankly amazed at being able to produce work that pleased me!”
So don't let your history dictate your future, pick up a pencil today and get creating now!
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