Drawing or Writing
What comes first, drawing or writing? I know another question that sounds very similar to that. As I am writing this post, I am also drawing. I am also eating, having some coffee, checking the comments and likes, the pictures and postings on social media, and talking to my wife. I like to draw and write in the morning as part of a morning routine. I don’t have to, but I like it that way. Some days are very busy specially during these two weeks. Let’s go back to drawing or writing.
If I have to pick between drawing or writing, drawing wins all the time, but I enjoy writing too. It is challenging but it is fun. I finished the book, so the blog now is just part of my own developmental process for future books, to continue public speaking, and it is also good for me to put my ideas out of my brain to save storage space. Sometimes the inspiration for writing hits before drawing does, sometimes they come together, sometimes drawing knocks at the door first. It varies.
The sketch I’m working on as I write this is already providing a path for the next post. I like when that happens. Either way developing discipline in what you love is very important for improvement no matter what it is. If you are passionate about something you will pursue it. Natural raw talent can only take you thus far, but practice and commitment makes it part of who you are. There is no need to practice all day or stop enjoying other things in life. That will turn you into a slave and take a way the fun of it.
At the moment I am going to some life transitions and my time in the studio was reduced to taking care of other things. However, forcing myself to draw daily not only keeps me connected to a studio like habit but also is a chance to connect to my artistic roots and to develop ideas for the future. Drawing is also a form of study. It helps me understand the figure a little better while I can continue improving my technique.
Drawing is also a lot of fun. It distracts the mind from the daily madness and relaxes the senses. It also sharpens the eye-hand coordination. “Practice. Practice. Practice…” its what I tell people. Of course, it is all about having fun with it too. Interestingly, I received messages and comments of people who identify with this drawings and feel connected to them. Specially women who find emotional healing in art. That is very good to know. It is inspiring, encouraging, and motivating.
Relate Humanly
I enjoy talking to people even when I don’t know who they are. Someone said that strangers are friends you haven’t met yet, or something like that. It is interesting to observe, and figuratively speaking, read a person through simple conversations. We all have a story and each of our stories are or could be interconnected somehow. As you read this our individual stories crossed paths. Paying the cashier at the grocery store and making a simple gesture of acknowledging that person joins the stories together. A simple ‘good morning’ can make a great difference in the life of a person.
Some people is unconsciously waiting for someone to acknowledge their existence beyond a societal function. Some people is hungry for a kind word to remind them of their value as human beings. Someone out there, unknown or known to you, is expecting for you to get your face away from the cellphone for an opportunity to be really social and to expand your network. Talk to people. Listen to people. Give yourself the chance of an interesting conversation and the possibility of new friendships, or simply the opportunity to relate humanly again.
People build walls to protect themselves from being hurt. The scars from the past pushed them to not trust people, to not let them in. People live hurt and hiding behind those walls. However, with time those walls they built begin to suffocate them, to asphyxiate the soul. Kind words and kind gestures can make a person feel alive again inside. A conversation can be that trojan horse that goes inside the walls, but not for destruction, but for healing. Kindness restores broken lives.
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