Looking at Art from a Different Point of View

/ moragnoffke

Nearly every child loves to draw …Untill…

We have been programmed by culture and it affects people’s attitudes towards art and creativity as well. Some of us were told that we can’t draw, that art is only for making money, that you won’t be able to make money from it, that your ideas are silly, you’re not good enough, it’s only for the licentious life style, you will land up being a good for nothing or, last lie ‘if you couldn’t draw as a child you will never be artistic or creative ever. The list of lies goes on and on. You are welcome to add you own experience in the comments. It could be quite freeing to see what we’ve all been told.

There are many reasons why people are drawn to art. I believe that creativity is a necessity for survival. We only need to look through the ages to see how creativity has impacted humans. Drawing and painting are just two of the creative skills we inherit. Here are a few other skills: cooking, gardening, engineering, design, programming, knitting and more.

A visit to a school classroom

Let’s pretend we go on an imaginary visit to a class room full of 4 and 5 year olds.  You step inside and you notice everyone is busy ‘doing art.’ A to G are representative of the children.

  • A There are some children making pictures perfectly or prettily,
  • Then there are B those who have their whole hands immersed in the paint busy smooshing it about, enjoying the feeling of the paint texture as they splash their hands in it. Paint goes everywhere and they laugh delightedly. They might be painting the page or themselves in huge sweeping gestures. They are immersed in play.
  • C Another child has just learnt to write so they are making a card so they can tell their mother how much they love them.
  • D Another is standing in front of a huge easel and is painting bright colours all over the page, in their mind it is the most beautiful peacock, just like themselves.
  • E Somebody else is using the thick crayons and they are making circles and jagged lines, going over the page and onto the table just because they are enjoying the motion of drawing.
  • F is drawing a picture in response to the teacher telling the class about methane gasses emitted from cows. The child is going to stick it up for all the adults to get the message.
  • G is making a pair of slippers out of paper for their mum because she is too poor to get herself some slippers.   

Here is a table showing the child, the response of the parent or teacher and how that could affect the individual and lastly how these qualities (or reasons) the children display are useful for adults in enjoying expression through art, visual journaling and creativity.

Children in the class roomAdult’s response to childTypes of art available to us as children & adults.
AA: some children are making pictures perfectly or prettily,A: is applauded for the pretty picture, child grows in self-esteem.A: Art is for making pretty or perfect or photographic images
B B: some have their hands immersed in the paint, smooshing it about, enjoying the feeling and texture as they splash their hands. They laugh delightedly as they paint the page or themselves in huge sweeping gestures. They are immersed in play.B: is berated for making a mess, child is humiliated.B: Art is messy or playful and fun
CC: Another child has just learnt to write so they are making a card so they can tell their mother how much they love them.C: is appreciated because the little son or daughter is so thoughtful, child grows in self-esteemC: Art is a message, like: “I love you”
DD: A child is standing in front of a huge easel painting bright colours all over the page; in their mind it is the most beautiful peacock, just like themselves.D: is asked ‘what is that?’ because no-one can see the peacock, child feels unseen or valued.D: Art is an expression of self
E: Somebody else is using the thick crayons and they are making circles and jagged lines, going over the page and onto the table just because they are enjoying the motion of drawing.

E: is scolded for drawing on the table and sent to the corner, child experiencing same might not want to draw again.E: Art is an action, the sheer joy of the motion of painting or drawing is exhilarating.
FF: is drawing a picture in response to the teacher telling the class about methane gasses emitted from cows. The child is going to stick it up for all the adults to get the message.F:’s efforts are laughed at because they genuinely drew a funny picture of cows in a field with methane gasses appropriately placed, but parents didn’t catch the drift, this child might be mortified for being laughed at or encouraged because they realize they can be funny.F: Art is actionable, it’s something done in response to some thoughts
GG: This child makes a pair of slippers out of scrap cloth for their mum because she is too poor to get herself new slippers.   G: is heartbroken when her mother doesn’t wear the slippers. (This was me) I learnt that what I make doesn’t matter.G: art is about making useful objects, including crafts (and don’t let snooty arty people tell you it’s not art).

What I try to illustrate here, is that we have often been given messages as a child that we are not worthy of been called creative or an artist; BUT we deserve to enjoy our creative abilities. There is no shame in any of those reasons for engaging in art but in the past we’ve probably been made to feel that only pretty, perfect art or art that is needed by others is acceptable or to be applauded. Often that’s why people take up photography or become art critiques as they don’t feel good enough in their own unique expression of art. There are so many reasons for doing art: art has meaning, art can be funny, or have a message, it can be healing, can be for expression, release of emotions, it can be useful,  it can be sold but doesn’t have to be, it can be given away or it can be for oneself.

I hope this helps us understand that we all can do art or draw and have our own reasons for enjoying ourselves. And when it comes to visual journaling anything goes because only you will see it, unless you choose to share it.

I don’t have an artist’s personality…

You don’t have to have an artist’s personality or ‘be an artist’ to enjoy art and drawing. Let’s consider the qualities of different personalities who enjoy art in different ways. As you read these qualities see if you can recognize some of them in yourself. If you mark the ones you relate to – you might find some hints as to what type of drawing/art you might find meaningful.

  • Perfectionist
  • Playful
  • Explorer
  • Individualist
  • Success-driven
  • Humorist
  • Communicator
  • Loner
  • Thinker
  • Expressive
  • Crusader
  • Extrovert
  • Victim
  • Survivor
  • Thriver
  • Ecologist
  • nurturer

If you recognize any or some of these attributes in yourself and you think you might like to try engaging in art you have a good chance that you will enjoy some type of art. Start being curious and explore the different types of art and creativity that are about. Keep an open mind.

We all have hidden strengths and weaknesses. These inner qualities will either take you to the heights of the mountain tops or down to the quagmire of dung holes. It’s your choice how you work with your strengths and weaknesses but mountain tops are as important as the quagmire, you never know where you will find the gold. We shouldn’t deny our shadows because often that’s where we find our treasure: in forests, the deep waters of lakes and oceans. It is our job to find the gold using our strengths and observing our weaknesses. Visual journaling can be one way to explore, connect and express what you find.

Feedback from last week.

I hope you tried the exercise from my last post. And thank you to those who let me know that you plan to try it or who have already tried it. As I said I would share with you my versions of the emotions. (See videos below). I did them in graphite pencil but any medium can be used. You can use colour and I have some examples from my guests in South Africa. The first example shows a graphite example and the second shows how colour can be incorporated. You can also use paints or crayons. I really believe anything goes. And if you try doing this exercise regularly over time (once a week or once a month) in different mediums you might be surprised at what you do.  

Expressing emotion through line and colour, By Krysia

The second Video shows all the different expressions and styles of my volunteers. Thank you to all of them for participating. I hope you find it encouraging.

Demonstration

I also added a small demonstration of practicing textures in the first video. I don’t usually record myself so I was talking to myself at one point, you can also hear the birds outside and my husband hammering in the garden so it is a very homey type of video.

Some techniques may be more suitable for perfectionists than other techniques and as you get to know your preferred way of drawing you will become more comfortable in expressing yourself.  It will become as easy as signing your name. 

For your interest: Pointillism.

Pointillism was invented by Seurat. In this video it explains his theories on the use of colour and stippling. Seurat is quite a good example of being a perfectionist in his paintings. He took years to paint this painting below. If you are interested in art I think you will find this video as it covers colour, design and the use of the body in design but I am certainly not encouraging everyone to take up this type of art. Then again some people find it immensely satisfying.

Please let me know what you think.
Wishing you a wonderful week,
Take care,

40 thoughts on “Looking at Art from a Different Point of View”

  1. Wonderful post. Both my Mom and Dad were “creative”. My Mom loved painting and sold some of hers, while my Dad was excellent at drawing all kinds of things. I used to draw a lot, mostly faces, but now I express myself through words. Visual journaling is an interesting concept which I may use at some timei in the future but I do keep a journal of dreams, thoughts, ideas, and Streams of Consciousness which is the most fun of all for me. Love what you are doing. Very inspirational.

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  2. Dear Moragno, thanks for such an interesting approacing on drawing and all sort of art you had mentioned. I am a bad designer, but I do realize that I am good in other forms of art. What you do in your blog is a blessing. You encourage, you teach, you do it in an impressive good manner. Thank you! 👌😍

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  9. This is a wonderful post with so many insights for drawing and painting. All three videos are very good and important to watch. Incidentally I was not good at drawing in school days, but my handwriting was very good, so I used to fall back upon my writing skill to draw. I agree with your statement that mountain tops are as important as the quagmire, you never know where you will find the gold. Thank you for your time and efforts put in to prepare this blog post.

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    • Thank you Kaushal, for taking the time with this post and watching the videos. It means a lot to me. It’s amazing how we can use different skills to do things. Your account is very interesting. Yes finding the gold is what matters, no matter what skills one uses to get there. I am enjoying learning more about video making and sharing my thoughts and interests. Thank you again. 🙏💐

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  12. Such an interesting post, Morag. I shot some Nature photos this last week during a hike in a really beautiful area, the first time in a really long time. But I used to do it constantly & loved it! It’s funny (and sometimes sad) how we can allow other things to get in the way of our passions. 🙂

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  13. A lot of interesting points there Morag, …I was told at school I wasn’t very good, art wise, in fact I was compared to my brother, in the same school, and came up wanting in the Teachers eyes, … I’ve never forgotten that, but in a way I found my own route, poetry is a godsend to me, I can vent, be joyful, share what’s in my soul. Thank you, my friend for sharing yours, In such a good way, 💫

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