I consider myself academic not artistic, so the thought of trying to draw something, even a word I'm familiar with, was a scary thought. (See how academic I am? I'm already thinking about it and analysing my thinking! 🤣)
But, I'm entering @trippymane's Street Art contest precisely because it scares me.
All growth occurs in the spaces where we are uncomfortable.
(Source: Caroline's brain :P)
Since I keep reading and hearing again and again that trying new things that feel totally unfamiliar to us are luscious breeding grounds for new ideas and breakthroughs I thought I'd start trying
to do things I've never done before. Even if I think I'm going to suck at it.
I'm recalling one woman I heard recently (I can see her face but her name escapes me) who said she practises "making bad art". The idea being that it really doesn't have to be good. It gives her full permission to make things that look downright awful. But she knows that the reason for making the art isn't the result, it's the process.
So in a moment you'll see my result as I attempted (for the first time ever I think) to create a piece of street art, using the prompt word "XMAS". But I want to tell you what happened along the way (because, I'm a storyteller and I can't help myself 😋).
I had an idea.
I tried it and didn't like it.
I looked again at the contest post.
I tried another idea.
I judged my creations.
I like my second one better and was already getting bored with drawing 😄 (Maybe that was me unconsciously trying to escape the process!)
I chose one to share for the contest.
I imagined what my chosen creation could mean.
I tried not to fear what you might think of my very amateur drawing.
I reminded myself that it's not the result I'm after, but the process.
I shared my chosen creation with you.
So, here it is. I'm definitely hoping you won't say in the comments the kind of unkind things I'm already saying to myself inside my own head. One lot of nastiness is enough!!
Let me interpret what I drew and why I drew it that way:
I like the idea of the X standing in as a (green) Xmas tree.
I loved the idea of it having arms and legs, so, if it were to morph into something else, it could be a human, one of my family perhaps, read to give me a hug.
Of course, the green needed to be balanced out with the traditional colour red for it to feel like Christmas to me (having been indoctrinated to associate these colours with one another at this time of year).
And somewhat like decorations on a tree, the other letters of the word "XMAS" hung themselves in a symmetrical kind of way about the tree.
The heart was added to create more balance and because, in my mind and my experience, this time of year is about coming together with the people I love. As I am not Christian or someone who practises any other religion that has specific ties to Christ (and therefore do not need to attend a "mas(s)" on his behalf) this particular holiday symbolises something quite different than if I was (religious in this regard).
Though, perhaps there is an even deeper level of symbolism than I had first appreciated when I thought to insert that heart; Christ was, after all, a teacher of love.
C.
[If you're also new to drawing and you feel like it's far from a God-given talent for you either, or others tell you that your drawings are awesome but you don't believe them and just endlessly compare yours to other people's, please know: you are not alone in your fear. Take a deep breath. If I can do this, so can you. Here's the post where you can learn how to participate in this contest.]