“So what
are you going to try that's out of your comfort zone?”
Well, last week I did
something out of my comfort zone so this is not what I’m going to do but rather
what I’ve done.
First of
all, let me tell you again if you haven’t heard, that I grew up being
encouraged to be an academic and not an artist. I had an older sister who was
an artist and she was creative where I was not. Everyone swore that I was the
smartest in the family destined to make something of myself over everyone else
in the family. I was encouraged to study, make good grades, and not even think
about being creative. If I tried and failed, I usually got a pat on the head
and told that it was expected and not to bother hoping for more.
So, last
week, I went to our university event where seniors give major presentations in
each department and each professor is encouraged to go to their department
presentations AND go to other department presentations.
This
year I decided to go to the Art department. I guess I’m an “artist wannabee”
and hoped I would find it interesting. I know nothing about art, how to
interpret it, how to create it, how to understand it or even how to create it
so I was going way beyond my comfort zone!
When I
first got to the lecture hall I felt really out of place. Everyone seemed to
know each other and looked at me, wondering who I was. I smiled at everyone as
I sat on the side of the room trying to be invisible.
Then the
3 presentations began and I was enthralled! The students showed pictures of
their work while explaining how and why they created it. Hearing the background
behind each was enlightening as well as educational. Different
ideas/theories/names were mentioned that made me want to learn more!
After
going to this I want to try to incorporate some of the ideas in my knitting and
doodling.
I realized
that there are no right or wrongs in art. Creating from the heart that conveys
a message can be displayed in different ways.
I am
doing a daily doodle challenge and I was very tentative at first, wondering if
people think my doodles are stupid or ugly. Now I feel more confident and want
to try to see if I can convey a message through my doodles.
I think
this would be a great lesson for my students who feel stifled and afraid to
express themselves creatively. My actions and experiences would be a great
example for them when they see that even a teacher has doubts and anxiety.
Sharing creative examples together might encourage them to be more open.
Sharing and explaining what was created, knowing there is no right or wrong,
may open many different lines of communication/
What
have you done outside your comfort zone? Please share.
1 comment:
Sioux left this comment and I accidentally deleted it instead of publishing it so I copied and pasted her comment here:
"Pat--First, thanks for the shout out.
Second, you're right. There is no right and wrong in art. Yes, some is more pleasing to the eye than others, but art is a vent. An expression.
Third, do you know about Zentangle? Google the word (or "free zentangle patterns") and you will be on the brink of looking at thousands of patterns to use when doing the stylized doodling."
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