I’m not any good at art.
How do we realize our artistic and creative selves? It is a commonplace to say that we all have an artist or poet inside us, and it is probably true. Unfortunately, it too often stays inside us like a butterfly inside a chrysalis, and never emerges. We become distracted by busy life; we lack confidence; we fear judgement; we don’t know how to start and we think we are no good at it. The problem is that we have a view of art that is difficult to achieve, because we look straight at the end result, the picture hanging on the wall and the sculpture in the garden. This may, of course, happen
but if it never gets to fame and fortune it is still worthwhile appreciating that you have a butterfly in you, maybe a Meadow Brown rather than a Peacock, but an amazing creature nevertheless.
It starts with your senses, particularly your eyes, of course. Go for a walk, sit in the garden, lie on the sofa, and look. Pay close attention to the colour and texture of things. Dream and imagine.
Set aside a regular time to play and doodle. You will find that it is a meditation not a test of how ‘good’ you are.
Look and learn. Go to galleries and exhibitions. Search online. Explore art books.
Create from what concerns you, what entertains you and from what you love. Don’t feel you have to start small. If your urge is to paint your ceiling like Michelangelo, then go for it. If you end up with a childish drawing of you cat, that’s fine.
If you need inspiration then work from a text. Read John 4 and then make an artwork about the Samaritan woman and Jesus at the well. Send it to me for posting on the Green Christian Arts page.
If you need help then go on a workshop.
Try https://www.voicemag.uk/event/7738/aiding-our-planet-through-art-with-marisa-rehana-mann-
artist-workshop-with-voice-series
Graham Norman 13 th August 2020
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