The key to balancing life and art.
“That’s it?” A question I have heard one too many times when sharing the art in my sketchbook with close friends and family members. Surely they did not mean that they were unimpressed; in fact, they continued to praise my work as they turned the pages and observed the content, asking questions about the methods I used and what inspired me to create each piece. They were interested, intrigued, and wanted to see more. That’s why the question always came after the last filled page, and before the many empty ones after it.
“I just haven’t had the time,” I say with a shrug as my sketchbook is returned to me. I find myself putting aside my artistic interests throughout the school semester, only to pursue them during reading weeks and after exams have ended. I feel like many other individuals also experience the same problem. With obligations such as school and work taking up a majority of our time, many people set aside their art supplies, musical instruments, and other expressive apparatus to collect dust.
This can be problematic, especially when individuals feel like they are doing things just for the sake of completing them because they have to rather than out of their own free will. With the clutter on people’s to-do lists, many would rather spend their evenings lazing around, listening to music, or watching a movie rather than endorsing in hours of working on an art piece, playing their instrument, or writing a novel that they have not made much progress in.
Let’s face it: it takes a lot of effort to get creative, followed by a generous amount of time to pursue the expression of that creativity.
I believe that everyone should have an outlet in which they can freely express their emotions and feelings. I am usually met with remarks such as, “You’re so lucky you can draw” or “I wish I could draw like you.” However, luck did not influence my art and I still have much to improve.
Oftentimes, I ask, “Have you ever tried drawing?” and am responded to with comments about how the person is not any good no matter how hard they try. It took years upon years of hard work, practice, and dedication to a hobby that has grown and developed based on the time and effort I have invested into it.
With the right perseverance and a generous amount of time, many people can create expressive pieces if they give themselves the chance to. The following are ways in which I have helped myself:
Don’t make excuses. Make goals instead.
“I haven’t had the time” was the most used excuse as to why my sketchbook was not filled up yet. To counteract this, one of my New Year’s Resolutions became to draw in my sketchbook at least once a month. This goal was realistic, and I had a remedy when I could not meet quota. For example, missing a page in July meant that I compensated by creating two pieces in August – something I eagerly did rather than abandoning my goal altogether.
Set time aside.
Remember that improvement does not happen overnight. The amount of time you devote – or do not devote – into your creative outlet will be apparent. It is more than alright to work in small steps if you cannot accomplish yourgoal in one sitting; this allows progress to occur regardless of the speed.
Don’t compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to yesterday instead.
“I’ll never be as good as (insertartist’s name here)” is a mentality that gets you nowhere given that each person uses a medium of articulation differently. Being inspired by others differs from comparing your work to theirs since the latter means that you are mimicking their pursuit of expression rather than your own. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is the individual you were in the past, and reflect on the progress you have made and the steps you can take in order to articulate yourself better in the future.
With life’s constant demands, it paradoxically becomes easier for people to avoid investing a mental effort into pastimes. Realizing how far I have come but acknowledging the lengths I have yet to go keeps me realistic and has made a difference in how I have pursued my interests in the visual arts. While my creative outlets include the visual arts and literature, other individuals indorse in making music, and dancing, amongst other fields. As they grow older, life takes over and many of them lose these skills. All they’re left with are, “I used to play the piano when I was twelve” and “I was in a dance class back in grade school” rather than the potential they could have unleashed if they dedicated the time and effort to achieve it. It’s important for people to find an expressive outlet and balance it with their daily lives, especially in a world where everyone is trying to be unique and different from the rest of the crowd.
By Hoda Al-Zoubaidi
Please note that opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.
