Can I revive my love of painting and drawing?

jcurry wrote

on 24 Jul 2012 1:18 PM

compress pic.JPG

I have posted a charcoal drawing that I did of my husband and son some 20 years ago.  Besides the expense I have lost my drive to get back into producing more pieces.  I do, however, still have the desire.   I wonder if somebody out there has had a similar problem?  How can I "rekindle"?

Feel free to critique my drawing.

shasta737 wrote

on 26 Jul 2012 9:06 AM

What if you try going some place really beautiful that inspires you, take a morning, and take your supplies and go there and sketch it.... maybe it will help you to remind yourself that you do it because its thearaputic for you, its calming, and fun.. Good luck with it!

Kramer_Krazy wrote

on 28 Jul 2012 12:56 AM

jcurry:

 I wonder if somebody out there has had a similar problem?  How can I "rekindle"?

No answer from me. I'm right in the middle of something similar with music. I play 6-, 7-, and 12-string guitar and 4-, 5-, and 6-string bass and haven't really picked them up in over 8 years. I was in a local band and burned myself out by dealing with the whole stressful situation of being in the band. Strangely, I think another part of it is that I "accomplished" everything I ever wanted to do with my guitar playing. Until I have another goal to accomplish with music, I figure I won't pick up a musical instrument again......which is a shame as I've been playing since 1979 and started giving lessons in 1987.

One thing I have tried to do to rekindle the musical interest is buy some new equipment. It used to help in the past, but not this time around. I bought a new guitar and a new bass over the last five years, but the flame is still just a smolder. Maybe if you try a new medium for your artwork, or try a new technique or style. I once took finger-picking and jazz lessons when I was more a hard rock/heavy metal guitarist. The new style was refreshing.

As for your drawing. I like it. It's better than anything I've even been able to do with charcoal, but I've never been able to draw or paint people or animals.

jcurry wrote

on 30 Jul 2012 7:29 PM

Shasta, thank you so much for your suggestion.  My plans are to do just that when the temperatures start to reduce a little.  I live on 15 acres with lots of possible things to sketch.  In the mean time I've pulled out some vintage photographs of my dad who was a WWII fighter pilot.  I plan to post a graphite drawing soon.  Thanks for the inspiration!!

jcurry wrote

on 30 Jul 2012 7:55 PM

This is my second try at a reply.  Kramer....I think of "Seinfeld's Kramer"   when I see your post.  Hope you don't mind.  Thanks so much for the compliment on my drawing.  When I compare it to others on this site....well, I just need to improve.  I certainly need to try for more realism.  I'm my biggest critic.  I think that joining this site has helped ignite that spark of interest.

As for your music be thankful that you have had those experiences.  I played the piano but lost my piano to a fire about  9 years ago and have not really missed it until recently.  I do know that your music ability will never leave you and will be there if and when the interest sparks again and I'm sure it will eventually.

Thanks again.

KatPaints wrote

on 31 Jul 2012 6:21 AM

"Can I revive my love of drawing and painting?"

Your title seems a bit odd because you answered your own question.

"I do, however, still have the desire."

"I wonder if somebody out there has had a similar problem?  How can I "rekindle"?"

If you still have the desire, there is nothing to rekindle because the flame never went out.  We want to make the experience warm, fuzzy, and welcoming. Relationships, including the relationship with our work, is hard work and no amount of poetry makes up for effort. So get to work! and quit making excuses.(Here is the official kick in your pants.) Start small make 6x6 paintings or drawings that are complete in a few hours time. Do anything that initially shows progress before tackling anything large.

jcurry wrote

on 31 Jul 2012 6:31 AM

I believe you are right!!  Thanks for the "official kick in your pants", KatPaints.   I've already started.

Kramer_Krazy wrote

on 31 Jul 2012 4:04 PM

jcurry:

This is my second try at a reply.  Kramer....I think of "Seinfeld's Kramer"   when I see your post.  Hope you don't mind. 

I'm used to it. I'm actually not really much of a fan of the Seinfeld TV show. The "Kramer" in my name is for the Kramer guitars that were built from 1976-1991. Eddie Van Halen played them almost exclusively from about '83 to '90 (first dabbing with them in '81) and then switched to Ernie Ball/Musicman in '91. I had the first Kramer-dedicated website that I started in 1997 but have pretty much terminated. I also co-wrote a 6-part series on the history of the brand in Vintage Guitar Magazine with Michael Wright in 1998. I've been a Kramer fan since 1984 and had 47 of them several years ago. After being laid off in 2002, I sold most of them.

Anyway, so much for the thread-jack on my name.