Contemplation

[dolphins_log]

Recently I mentioned to virusfox that I didn't get discouraged if I didn't achieve a goal on my list. I said it was because I knew I would get there eventually, that it was only a mater of time.



Well... I found an important subject where that didn't hold true. One of the things that's holding me back in my art skills is that I do get discouraged, and very quickly. I'm too hard on myself. And because I'm not happy with my results I "avoid".

Not fair. If I am going to claim that I don't get discouraged if I don't meet a goal, then I'm going to have to live up to my claim.

In the illumination of my ongoing enlightenment, I'm now going to have fun. I'll throw in a little "I don't care" as well. I don't care if it doesn't look as good as work by people for who have kept at it. How many times have we been told, or have we told others "your goals are found within yourself"?

Perhaps "enter the art room once a week" is too general a goal. I can do that looking for a cat. The revised goal is now "Create new Icons for LiveJournal."

Comments

Art & Discouragement.

[virusfox.livejournal.com]

Yeah I've been doing a bit of drawing lately. Though in the last two weeks I haven't done anything, I've had no time, what with the other important matters going on in my life. It is something I want to work on.. when I can, I just have slightly more important things going on right now.

I think its very important to not get discouraged and especially when you somehow compare it to work by other people. I've found openCanvas to be a good program for that, its a collaborative drawing program. chewdy and I jest that it should be more aptly named: "HOWMUCHYOUSUCK.exe", precisely because of it's ego-crushing and self-confidence destroying powers. Never the less I recommend it wholeheartedly as a highly valuable practice tool.

Not getting discouraged is important and its something I should work on as well. I just haven't found the power in myself to not get discouraged. It's just immensely difficult to persevere in light of one's work. I've felt that playing the "I don't care"-card helps, but I don't know why, but for some reason I can't help shaking the feeling that to do so is merely to cheat and cop-out. Too many arguements and ones with good reason are negated when one party plays the "I don't care"-card, which veto's and nullifies any arbitrary position or point the other was trying to make. Thats just my own personal opinion and how I view things.

I've had alot better success with the "having fun" avenue. Not being as concerned about it and being more laid back about it helps. That assurance that it will "come in time" goes a long way. Having real attainable goals that you can accomplish helps, more so than general and broad or overly vague goals(something I sometimes guilty of) helps an incredible amount.

Nice drawing and best of luck to you in your efforts. :)

Re: Art & Discouragement.

[dolphinchatter.livejournal.com]

There's no need to get discouraged. What's the point? You, personally, have already demonstrated that you can accomplish what you've set out to do.

Thanks for your imput, by the way.

Re: Art & Discouragement.

[virusfox.livejournal.com]

Ironic really. Since following through, motivationally speaking, commitment and initiative are also some of my problems at times. With the weightloss effort, being the only one and true accomplishment and thing I've truly ever done or earned in my life.

Knowing my own track record and sometimes tendencies, it tends to be a focus of mine at times.

[typographer.livejournal.com]

I like the icon!

[dolphinchatter.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I've got a bunch more I need to come up with. ...and Kia has two arms.

[geojlc.livejournal.com]

I like the icon too. And if you get tired of drawing your own icons, you could draw icons for your friends... :-)

[dolphinchatter.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm I ... I could actually become... Overwhelmed!