Thursday, August 6, 2009
A 2nd anniversary
Today marks two years that I have been keeping this blog. My, how time flies. I started this blog without any preconceived notions of where it would lead, or where I was going with my art. But keeping it going has been greatly motivating and I have made many wonderful blogging friends along they way. More than I could have ever imagined.
Back when I was in college, studying art, we had to submit a portfolio for review our sophomore year. This was so our professors could make recommendations about whether a student should continue in their program of study. When we retrieved our portfolios from the review, my classmates all had paragraphs, long paragraphs, written by our professors outlining their opinions and recommendations for that student. Mine had a slip of paper with the one line, "continue with drawing". I never really knew exactly what this was supposed to mean. Were they saying that I was strongest in drawing or that I needed much more work? Regardless, or maybe because of that cryptic message, I did continue to take as many drawing classes as possible and I am still continuing with drawing today, more than twenty-five years later. And what I have learned is that as long as you keep drawing you never stop learning to draw. That sophomore review still pushes me onward.
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24 comments:
Oh Let me be the first to congratulate you!! Such a wonderful blog, Such Talent, and I am so glad to have found you. I look forward to many more "Drawings" !!(Love the velvety touch on these petunias!)
Ann, I'm quite sure you got only a one-liner because the professor had no suggestions for improvement and was happy with your work as it was. Your work is elegant.....
So glad you started - and continued to blog! Happy 2nd Blogiversary to you!
I'm out of the blueberry bushes and trying to catch up on my blog reading. I see you've been very busy! LOVE the Wave I piece... looks so real. Reminds me of an early morning beach walk on Ocracoke Island earlier this year... and I think that's a sign of a winning painting... when it speaks to the viewer and evokes a response in them. You did a great job!
I agree with MaryO - he couldn't think of anything else to suggest except, "draw". Your petunias are lovely. I really like all the subtle color changes. Congrats on your 2 years of successful blogging! Well done! nancy
2 years! ^^ Congratulations, and I wish that there are many more years to come.
This is yet another beautiful piece :)I love how you bring out the flowers, and wonderful textures of the petals. The leaves are nicely blurred out and nicely placed at the back. Very masterful!
I had a similar experience in high school and have often though it must have been traumatic for me or something. A teacher said I could do anything I wanted. Was it a compliment or a comment on how hard headed I am. He has died and I still am not sure.
I'm glad you've kept on drawing. I can hardly wait for the break in my studying so I can draw some with Alonya Nickleson! And her book. Keep drawing my dear.
Ann, your work is so consistently beautiful. I love your use of color and the sensitive, thoughful treatment of each area of the composition. Here's to many more years of sharing your talent! Becky
Happy anniversary Ann! Certainly your joy in the medium is apparent in everything you draw.
happy blog anniversary! :D heres to many more years!
I agree with MaryO, no suggestions for improvement or nothing wrong with the drawings :) better then the line I got from a teacher "stop drawing fantasy" hmm we didn't' get along :p
Oh Ann! Those petunias are so lovely! I have always enjoyed every piece of art you have shared with us. I learn something almost every time I view your work. congrats on 2 years and here's to many more to come!
Happy 2 Year Anniversary!!! The petunias are a lovely way to mark this blogging milestone. Great composition, too.
What the professor meant doesn't really matter as much as what you do with it. I'm glad you had it drive you forward!
Hi Ann,
What a wonderful story, it's so inspirational and beautiful.
Congratulations on this blog anniversary. I'm so glad that I found your blog on the blogosphere and I hope to enjoy it still for long.
Best regards,
Carolina
In high school, my craft teacher sent me to a special weekends art class. The first thing they had us do was sit in the quad and draw the school. I guess I didn't do too well as they shoved me into the craft group when I went there to learn to draw. I hadn't had drawing lessons so my drawing wasn't up to par I guess compared to others who were coming in from art classes. I felt really stupid and didn't do much with trying for "real" art like drawing after that. Now I realize it wasn't my talent but my lack of education that they were judging but oh how hard that was back then. Why can't teachers be a bit more careful about what they say to kids?
Your petunias are beautiful. Keep up the good work but don't give up on the painting. You just need to learn how to master your tools as your talent is there.
Ann,
Congratulations! Two years is quite a commitment, and we are all the richer for it. I enjoy my visits to your blog. I just finished reading a blog posting about drawing, and as commented on by others there, drawing is the foundation of all art. You definitely have a good solid foundation and have built on that as evidenced by the paintings on your blog.
I hope you continue on your art journey and please keep us posted of your progress.
Again, congratulations!
Congratulations on 2 years! I'm so glad you kept on drawing, and I'm even more glad that you choose to share your art with the world. You are an inspiration.
You have a great touch with those colored pencils. Lovely work.
...beautiful, beautiful drawing, and happy anniversary! (your story made me smile...you just never know with professors, but it looks like you did the right thing because all of your work is wonderful!).
Lovely, subtle shading on this petunia, Ann. And happy blogging anniversary!
Okay this is a bit belated, but oh well...
Congratulations Ann on your blogging anniversary!! Two years is a long time. Of course you won't stop drawing so I am sure we can look forward to many more blogging posts in future!! Now that is a wonderful thought. :-)
Congratulations! My blog is coming up on it's 2 yr anniversary as well. I started mine shortly after you started yours. You are the one that inspired me to do it though! I think the comment meant that you should continue drawing because you are a very talented artist. I think that was a great lesson to learn too.
Thanks everyone! I enjoyed all of your comments and appreciate the support!
I use color pencils, too, and I am in AWE (!!) at your work.
Congratulations on your anniversary. Your work is inspiring and am looking forward to the coming year of new art!
Good for you! Who knew where your blogging journey was going to lead you? Kudos for determination!
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