Monday, April 13, 2009

Advice From My Father


My Dad has been gone almost two years now, but every once in a while I can hear his voice giving some advice I have already heard but chosen to ignore.  So I guess he hasn't given up on me and he has decided to keep after me until I listen. I'm making a point here, so hang on.

I've fortunately been able to stock my little studio with everything I want. Not that I have lots of money, I don't. It's just where I like to spend it. I have all kinds of professional grade materials ( except oils, bad experience in college).  I have polymer clay, linoleum blocks, and other types of printing blocks, five brands of colored pencils, probably over 100 art books, all kinds of collage materials, loads of acrylics and mediums, three table easels, jewelry findings, and anything else Dick or Jerry sell.

 I get so enthused about using all of my materials and I start and stop all kinds of projects at one time. When I start a project I quickly lose interest if it isn't up to my standard right away. (I've read this is a first child trait.)

 This is where my Dad comes in. This morning his voice said 'Find one thing you're good at and you enjoy doing and keep doing it until you are the best in your field. Then other people will come to you.'

Well, he's right. I can't do everything and do it all really well. So I think I'll concentrate on the colored pencils and acrylics and not think about all the other fun goodies I have. This is just for today, or maybe this month.

Oh, wait! Those little girls at the top? They're here because I've always wanted to write a childrens' book. See? I need to narrow my focus. ;-)

10 comments:

Uta said...

Difficult situation that I understand only too well. My work evolves. I start with a technique and I continue with it and then I try the same technique slightly differently and so on. If I try something new I try to incorporate it into what I'm already doing and making it part of it.

Unknown said...

Well Uta, that's a good approach. If new things are not separate projects but incorporated into what I'm already doing, hmmmm.....

Uta said...

Did you get my email???

Chris Beck said...

I never met an art supply I didn't like or want to buy, or a technique I didn't want to try, so I totally sympathize. But I went through this same decision last fall and I have to say it was very freeing to focus on one medium. Listen to your father!! ;-D

Adorable little sketches, BTW.

L.Holm said...

My Dad's been gone almost 6 years, and I still talk to him and wonder what he'd say or do. I've had the same dilemma with focus. It's tough when you enjoy many mediums and art forms.

Dean Grey said...

Sound advice from your dad, Deborah.

But....

Isn't this what artists do?

We start and stop multiple projects and want to try new media every now and then.

Where's the harm in that? Try it all, I say!

Oh, and your little girl illustrations look cute. I'd like to see more of them.

-Dean

Bella Sinclair said...

Oh, Deborah. I've been admiring at all your recent postings -- the paintings and the scratchboard and the pencilwork. You ARE wonderful in all these different mediums. I guess it's nice to have focus and to really excel in at least one medium. But learning other things and experimenting keep the mind young and the hands busy, no? It's all about the fun.

Unknown said...

Well, thank you all for assuring me that I'm just like all other artists in wanting to try everything. At least I know I'm in good company with all of you, because you all do amazing work. But I'm going to really concentrate on portraits in colored pencil and acrylics, but not together. So please keep me on the right track.

Paula Villanova said...

Good luck with your new path...I believe in trying new stuff but the funny thing is...I still go back to acrylics!

Paula Villanova said...

oh yeah...and I forgot to mention...I LOVE these little drawings!