Art school

Today I'm drawing feet. And sofas. And drinking cups. And whatever is in front of me. And there's a reason for this.

I've never gone to art school. Since I started down the road of designing fabric it's been something I haven't liked to say. But I'm saying it today because despite that, I can finally and profoundly recognize that I do in fact have talent. (And don't write me hate mail about being stuck up, it almost hurts to say I have talent.)

Here's why I can finally say this. This weekend, rooming with Tula, I had an epiphany. I had expressed to her that there are certain elements of drawing I've struggled with due to not being trained. And because of that, when I have a moment of brilliance, it seems like it was magic... Like what I've come up with happened accidentally. There is something innately painful about that feeling. And quite frankly, that makes me feel fraudulent. Almost like it wasn't me who created what I did.

After describing what I had been experiencing in a late night chat, Tula offered an impromptu lesson on a couple skills I might had learned had I gone to art school. After just a couple minutes, bells went off in my head.

I have in fact been doing what she was showing me. Intuitively and without words to describe what I do, I manage to eek out art.

In Tula's words, art school gives you a language to describe what you do. And with that knowledge and tons of practice you are able to pull from that base to create on demand without the struggle and trial and error I sometimes go through. While I know how to do my work and do it well, I want more. I want to know more.

Of course, right now I don't have the time or money to actually go to art school. I've got two girls to send to college shortly after all.

But what I do have is absolute resolve, infinite persistence and books. Lots of books.

And so I have enrolled in the Bari J school of art. It involves tons of reading and lots of drawing. And today I started with a drawing of one of my feet.

No laughing at how chunky it looks allowed. Feet are hard to draw.

Comments

[Cathy Steiner]

1.

I didn't go to 'art school' but I did take a series of art and drawing classes as part of my degree at Purdue...the engineering school! Ha ha ha! Figure drawing was very very hard...I still have my sketches and they are hilarious. I think there are lessons that can be learned in school but Bari, mostly it is the critique part where the students get the feedback when we learn the most! You just have natural talent and everything can be broken down into shapes! So if you were in my class the professor would say..." now go and draw that foot 100 more times and come back tomorrow!".

Glad to hear of your time at Sisters! How Fun!

[Genevieve Gail]

2.

Heck yeah, Bari! Do you have "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain"?

http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/0874774195/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1310390690&sr=1-1

I remember when my uncle gave me this book when I was studying art- it changed my life! Good luck with your schooling- that's exciting!

[Cindy Farmer]

3.

That is awesome. You go for it girl!

[hannah]

4.

Gooooood for you! Can I enroll? lol I can maybe draw a stick figure ;)

[Anne Sutton]

5.

I loved this post! It will become one of my favorites because it's the best! You go girl, you do have talent (and pretty feet).

[Account Deleted]

6.

You described how I feel to a tee, Bari! I didn't go to art school either. I often wish things came to me easier and that I didn't feel like I'm getting away with something I shouldn't. I doodle and practice a lot, but it's not the same. I have to shelf those feelings b/c it's just another mental stumbling block - I self-sabotage on so many things that I try to give myself a pass on this one most days. Keep at it no matter how you get there!!

[Bari Ackerman]

7.

I have a feeling a lot of us feel the same way. Its funny how you and I seem to be on the same page so much though. Thanks for commenting!

~Bari

[mary]

8.

My daughter is a pretty talented artist, and that's not just her mom talking, she won several awards in high school for her drawing. A friend of mine who is a professional artist warned me not to let her attend art school. She said that it would crush her love for what she did, because she would go from thinking of art as something she loved to do to thinking of it as something she had to do. I'm still not sure if this would have been the case, but she is in college studying accounting, taking, and still loving, all the art courses that time will allow. Perhaps she will be an artist with great business acumen? I just hope we steered her in the right direction.

[Laura Zarrin]

9.

I went to art school and I still struggle with stuff. Considering all you've accomplished, I can't believe you never went. Obviously, you don't need it.

[Cheryl Jaeger]

10.

I LOVE that...the Bari J School of Art!

[Jenean]

11.

Thanks for this great post!! I keep typing out and erasing my thoughts (sorry--it is late and I've had wine), so I'll just say "thank you"! I truly appreciate it when you share things like this. It makes me think about SO much!

[Jean]

12.

I love your foot drawing! Reminds me of the time in a high school art class when we had to remove a show & place it on the table in front of us -- I did a pretty good job of drawing as I recall. But I don't think I could ever design fabric the way you do! I quilted for 10 years before I was willing to call myself a quilter, and still can't call myself a quilt artist .... I think it's a result of being raised to be humble, but there comes a time to lift your head proudly -- and this is certainly your time!

[Cecilia]

13.

After 40 years I, too, discovered "I actually DO have talent" (despite what my mother said). Good for you!!

[Susan]

14.

Thank you for the honesty of this post. Your descriptions of your feelings resonated with me quite a bit. I will be saving this for future inspiration.

[Beth J. Beal]

15.

It really hurts me to read this! You should never say those words again! I hate this time in our world when everyone's worth - self or otherwise - is judged by the amount of paper you have, and the letters behind your name. Thank goodness for people like you and I did go to college for a BFA and what I KNOW is that true talent can never be taught and those that can do and those that can't teach! And please, no hate mail for me either, because that's just my opinion.

[Karin]

16.

We have been given talents both obvious and hidden. That we can discover the hidden ones in this lifetime is a gift and a miracle all at the same time. Bravo to you for stepping over the boundaries into the place where you and your talents can blossom. You are awesome.

[jamie]

17.

Yes, you definitely DO have talent! Sometimes school can be overrated. A good thing, but not always necessary.