"You had the power all along, my dear."

You had the Power All Along, My Dear.

Glinda the Good Witch said it best...

I'm going to tell you a long story about this week. It's a little "woo-woo, hippy dippy, touchy feely" of story. I learned a lot, and maybe someone reading can relate if I share.

Like I mentioned in my last post, I'm taking a class called Make Art That Sells. 

In this class there is a mini-assignment and a full assignment each week. This week we were asked to draw motifs for the mini assignment. We were given parameters, Berries and Casseroles. For the assignment we turned in we had to make a full print for bolt fabric. Not a subject unfamiliar to me, as you know. 

However, I've been struggling a fair bit getting to the good stuff in my designs, and realized something... I've been working backwards. I've been deciding what a print "should" be before I even start drawing, then I build/draw motifs to fit what I "think" the end result needs to be.

I was deeply engrossed drawing motifs and having a BLAST with my drawings, and had a real light bulb moment.

The exercise of drawing is not just playtime. It's what brings creativity to the front. I'd been drawing my little berry and casserole icons and really enjoying myself. And then I drew a little oven and a few more items, when this lady popped into my head. I started doodling this woman with this crazy hair and flowers framing her face, and I'm thinking, "Who are YOU and why are you on my paper?". I don't draw faces. They scare me. But then suddenly there she was. I thought, "Well, this must be her kitchen I'm drawing". And then... I remember earlier I drew Sadie (my parent's spoiled Pug), sitting on a plate... suddenly, I had a whole story. Sadie became the woman's naughty kitchen companion. And before long, I had a print. It doesn't matter that it's not my usual "thing". It appeared, and I created it and went with it.

Part two of the equation... After drawing my little lady, I texted my friend Carrie, who is a brilliant artist, with the pic what I'd drawn, and this exclamation: "I drew a PERSON!". Carrie, amused with me, texted back and before long we'd come up with a plan for me to stop at her house the next day for a gesture drawing tutorial. Basically, drawings of the human body. We did a few exercises in charcoal and then Carrie had me draw her. Carrie was wearing her yoga clothes, and I could really get the movements and lines of her body in the charcoal. I was SO excited. I've always found drawing to be work, but after a couple days of doodling like mad, and then learning this very basic technique... I was ON. I've been drawing. For years in many forms. But it wasn't until this moment that I believed I could draw. Not only that, but that really, I'm an "Artist" though I had never before labeled myself as such. 

But now there it was, my inner voice finally allowed me to call myself "Artist". Do you do that to yourself? I refused for years to use anything but the term, "designer" (also accurate). And I'm thinking, "What else am I not 'allowing' myself to be?".

Later I got home and it's going through my head like a never ending ear worm...

 "You had the power all along, my dear". That phrase we've all heard a zillion times and is deeply linked to childhood (at least for me), pops into my head.

Ahhhh.... there it is... (I love a good conclusion) Sweet Carrie was my Glinda this week. And so was Lilla Rogers and the Make Art that Sells class...

And so was the little lady who appeared on my paper... and thus, she was named... Glinda, the Good Cook.

The result of all of this is that after I turned in my Make Art That Sells assignment, I was able to draw a lot more for my fabric line and it's finally coming together after a really long journey. It's jusssst about there.

"I had the power all along."

It was a very very good week.

 

Comments

[Karen]

1.

You my dear Bari are Awesome!!! Thank you for sharing your journey! What an inspiration you are.

[Mary Ann]

2.

Those voices in our heads can move us forward as well as hold us back. Glad you're listening to Glinda! I love your work.

[Christine Barker]

3.

Repeat after me "I am an amazingly talented and delightfully whimsical artist". How could you doubt yourself? I'm in complete awe of your abilities. Great work!

Christine Barker
www.ScarletCalliope.com

[Mary]

4.

Oh, my gosh! You would have LOVED Amanda Herring's "Find Your Lula" retreat. It was four days of epiphanies galore, much like yours. I have been watching your progress in this class from the back of the room. It has been such fun to see how excited you've become again, after what seems to have been a stretch of some discouragement. So happy for you!
Loved learning about the progression of these motifs. I'm always fascinated by how things come together. And even though you say they are "not your usual thing," they are so veri Bari! Wonderful!!

[lauraluvsloons]

5.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful epiphany! I too love your designs, I mean your beautiful art.

[Sheila Marie Delgado]

6.

Congrats Bari! I struggle with drawing as well. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us! Your cook has a sweet expression and each of your elements adds perfectly to the feeling of home. So glad you are enjoying the course :)

[Carrie B.]

7.

Love love love!!!! xoxo, Glinda.

[Janice Holton]

8.

I have never visited your blog before, just now today came here because it was linked from another site. The first thing I read was this post and I have to say it made me feel happy . . . and inspired . . . and thinking maybe I could . . .

[Darcy]

9.

I LOVE this story! After years as an art teacher I want to make my "own" art and use the title of artist not just for my students :-) Thinking about taking this class next year so thanks for the updates and yay for your progress!

[Judy Blinkenberg]

10.

I think most all who buy your wonderful fabric believe you are a wonderful designer and seeing some of your art we know you are! I am so happy that now You know you are! I became a LPN because I didn't think I was "Smart " enough to be a R.N. What a mistake! I am smart enough! I am retired now but in my heart I feel much better about myself.

[Claudia Jardim]

11.

Happy for you Bari J! You are a very talented artist! I love your work which I came to know when I was living in USA! I am form Brazil and I buy your fabrics through Etsy and people here love your designs! Thanks for sharing your story! It is a true inspiration! All the best! Claudia

[Diane]

12.

What a great feeling for you.

I've come by after being inspired by the 'Love Patchwork & Quilting' magazine's article about you. Last night at about 2.30am, I couldn't sleep and found myself being comforted by you and the belief in yourself which has been necessary to be able to get to the point where you rarely buy fabric as you're too busy using your own designed fabric.
I haven't had such a great week, so I'm going to turn your phrase around for me; 'I've still got the power in me'.
Thanks x