It all started with a Sailor Moon

Things have been hectic lately. We decided that we would take the house, despite some unforeseen issues, and so I’ve been signing leases, paying deposits, giving them my soul - you know, the usual. Valentine’s Day was nice - in fact, the entire weekend was nice. We lazed around on Saturday, more so than usual, which involved walking to the grocery store to buy tea, chocolate, and strawberries, and then on the way back stopping by the pond to feed the ducks, which was hilarious and fun. We headed back and had afternoon tea while I read a book and J made chocolate covered strawberries. Way better than the storebought ones, let me tell you. For dinner we headed over to my parent’s for spaghetti. It was a great day, full of family and love.

Last week I drew a silly sketch of Sailor Moon on my notebook in class to make a few friends laugh. One of them said, “That’s not half bad.”

For some reason, I needed that encouragement. I used to be an avid sketcher, always doodling on the sides of my homework, but lately I’ve stopped. I don’t know if people understand the power of unwarranted criticism. It can break a person. They show you a short story they’ve written or a picture they’ve drawn and say, “I want to show this to you.” They didn’t ask you for your advice on how to improve, they didn’t ask you whether their metaphors make sense or their style is too organic. They have made someone, and you have the honor of viewing it. Give them the same honor back of enjoying this. Leave the criticism for the art instructor or the editors.

Unless they ask. “Give me an honest critique.” “Tell me whether you think the pose is off.” “Tell me what I should improve.”

I had the unfortunate circumstance of dating a guy who had the potential to ruin my life. I got out of the relationship within about six months but I still remember his harsh words even today. He destroyed drawing for me. Every piece I produced, every painting I tried, he found fault with, criticized, tore apart. Never once said he liked them. And it ruined me. I never drew seriously for a long time, and after that it was just a few things. I turned my attention to writing.

I know what you’re thinking - you’re thinking that I can’t take criticism. No one likes to hear their work isn’t perfect, but it’s the only way you learn. I took an art class and the criticism I had there was what made me grow as an artist. It made me realize what I’m good at and what I’m bad at, because BOTH of these were pointed out. There’s a difference between criticism in an art class and an attack from your boyfriend that wasn’t even asked for.

But then I had someone tell me my Sailor Moon was pretty good.

As people, and as artists, we need honest criticism as much as we need honest encouragement. Encouragement is telling the person to keep going, keep going! Criticism is telling them how to get even better! But we need both. Criticism without encouragement is painful - encouragement without criticism keeps us doing the exact same thing over and over.

Last night as soon as I was done with a school paper, I took out my old sketchbook and I opened it to a new page, and I drew a small picture. And I liked it. And I showed it to J and he said, “Keep going.”

Drawing will never become anything more for me than just something fun, but I’m glad to have it back again.

February 17, 2009 @ 10:49 am .

Art — Tags: creativity, lessons

4 Comments »

1. I know exactly what you mean… About needing criticism but also encouragement. I’m really sorry your growth as a visual artist was stunted by an insensitive guy but I’m glad you’re with a guy who’s encouraging you. Drawing IS fun and unless you’re going to do it for a living, someone close to you shouldn’t have to critique it.

   I love to draw too but I completely stopped drawing because to this day, my mom tells people that my sister is really good with artsy stuff but she never mentions me. I’m not at all jealous but I take that as her nicer way of telling me that my drawing skills aren’t significant enough to be talked about. I was doodling in my notebook during lecture last week and realized how much I miss it… I think I’ll go back to doing it too.

   Comment by Felisa — February 17, 2009 @ 12:26 pm

2. Oh man, this just reminded me of my Sailor Moon fandom years.

   Its awful when someone knocks your confidence in something like this, it takes awhile to rebuild it again. I used to love painting and sculpture.. but my family disuaded me from taking it up. Its a shame as I miss it now and would like to take it up again in my spare time.

   Comment by Nel — February 17, 2009 @ 7:40 pm

3. Oh it’s such a shame that you had someone wreck such an important hobby in your life. I completely understand what you mean. It’s pretty horrible when that happens. I had something similar happen with my singing and I’m only now getting back into it. I hope that you are able to pick up your hobby and enjoy it again. I’d love to see a drawing of yours sometime!

   Comment by Caity — February 17, 2009 @ 9:34 pm

4. It seems like everything starts with Sailor Moon.

   I think my problem was never too much criticism but lack of encouragement (from others, of course. I gave myself enough criticism to more than make up for others. :)) I don’t even know how to encourage others’ creative pursuits, and I’m sure other people don’t much either. It’s hard these days to be positive and encouraging of others’; it feels too invasive, possibly.

   But I’m glad you’ve picked up drawing again. Sounds like something you enjoy.

   Comment by Stephanie — February 18, 2009 @ 10:29 am

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