Starting Over....

[Quadsweeps Sister]

Tried to get out my drawing tablet and art set today so I could try to draw again. Its been years and I have been fearful of picking up the pencil again and putting it to paper. I have a large antique drawing table and all this stuff, but everytime I try to do it, after about a minute or two I feel defeated and like I'm no good anymore. Like I'm going to be judged for my ability or something.

Anyone ever have this problem when trying to pick up a long lost hobby? I often wonder why this happens when it was something I enjoyed so much...

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Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

The success a person achieved in life after life is over is not measured by the material items, wealth or land they acquire. But in the lives they have touched in a positive way and the people who remember them with a fondness and a smile or a tear that they are no longer.
- my brother

 

[big4life]

I wish I could draw, but it's not a talent that I have.

Maybe a change in scenery would help you? Take a sketch tablet and head to a beautiful place and just draw. Don't think about what you're drawing, just put it on paper.

Good luck.

 

[silverbackn]

Sometimes it is hard to get right back into the swing of things, you gotta knock the rust off sometimes. Just mess around and don't put pressure or expectations on it. Life has enough of that, just have fun with it.

 

[jnevin]

I know exactly what it's like. I used to be able to pick up a pencil and draw something so quickly and easily. I was pretty talented. One day I just kind of stopped and haven't really tried since. I know I won't be as good, that it will take practice to get good at it again, but don't have the patience.

 

[blut wump]

Maybe you need to think about why this stopped being your hobby. The basic skills or talents should be there as strong as ever with but some loss of acuity due to lack of recent practice. There could be some residual emotions holding you back.

 

[StickFigure]

I used to write and draw. I mostly designed tattoos for my drawing hobby but I used to write horror stories. My english teacher used to tell me I had the potential to be a good writer some day.
One day I just lost it. Don't know what happened to this day. All of a sudden the thoughts just quit coming to me.
Kind of the same thing with my drawing. I quit for a while and when I try to pick it up again, no dice.

I always really enjoyed both hobbies.

 

[bigmann245]

Tried to get out my drawing tablet and art set today so I could try to draw again. Its been years and I have been fearful of picking up the pencil again and putting it to paper. I have a large antique drawing table and all this stuff, but everytime I try to do it, after about a minute or two I feel defeated and like I'm no good anymore. Like I'm going to be judged for my ability or something.

Anyone ever have this problem when trying to pick up a long lost hobby? I often wonder why this happens when it was something I enjoyed so much...

-----------------
Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

The success a person achieved in life after life is over is not measured by the material items, wealth or land they acquire. But in the lives they have touched in a positive way and the people who remember them with a fondness and a smile or a tear that they are no longer.
- my brother

my wife prittykitty is an artist as well but has been away from it for a long time. she is very good with a pencil. you might want to pm her and you guys can chat about different motivational factor and such. she is very easy going. loves to talk about drawing. give it a shot. take care.

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

Thanks so much everyone for your motivation and ideas. I am not really sure what happened either or why the feeling or ability seems to have left me. I think you all are right, it does take practice and I need to push the fear aside.

I will talk to those of you who you have mentioned I could do so. Thanks.

-----------------
Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

The success a person achieved in life after life is over is not measured by the material items, wealth or land they acquire. But in the lives they have touched in a positive way and the people who remember them with a fondness and a smile or a tear that they are no longer.
- my brother

 

[ChefWide]

Your mind holds the skill, you just need to reaquaint the pathways to the process... i have picked up and put down the guitar about a half dozen times in last 20 years, and each time i am ready to poke an eye out in frustration.. but after a few sessions or even a few minutes, be the case, your dexterity comes back and then you can play rather than work, ya know?

suggestion? do it in spurts.. er.. that didnt sound right, but you know what i mean. limit youself to few minutes then walk away, come back later and have at it again.




You wouldnt come back after surgery or a long break and put your top training weight on the bar and kick right into squats? right?

Same recipe, different dish, me thinks...



.

 

[Evil_Frisky]

i do this over and over again with my writings... and my poems.. i'm yet to complete one. Its been over 10 years

 

[Sassy69]

Just like any creative skill you have - it is a way to express yourself - from that standpoint, the only person it needs to satisfy is you. Just like if I sat down at the piano - I studied for nearly 10 yrs but its been nearly 25 yrs since I actually learned anything new & I have to pick through the few things I remember out of habit. And sometimes you also have to find the inspiration that fits your current focus as well.

If you go to it w/o preset expectations of what you should produce in the first 10 minutes but rather consider it heading in a direction but not really sure of the destination just yet.

LOL - startign to sound philosophical.

Like chef said - if you know you have the skill, just exercise it a little & it will come back.

 

[mountain muscle]

QS_squared,

Art is something you do for yourself. Who cares what everyone else thinks if you enjoy it and it makes you happy.

 

[ChefWide]

QS_squared,

Art is something you do for yourself. Who cares what everyone else thinks if you enjoy it and it makes you happy.

Oilydude,

Like anything where you had the 'groove' at your whim, not having the groove on call is a bitch... she will find, i hope, that the crux of the biscuit is just a matter of reaquainting old friends.. when the hand and the pencil figure who leads in the tango again, and stop toe-stepping, all will be well.

... guitar analology: yah, its for me, i never really play for anyone else BUT me, but a sour note is still a sour note.. takes some time to get the fingers to move without being yelled at is all...

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

Everyone has been so kind, so many wonderful thoughts and words of inspiration. I wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate it. I did go out today and got a smaller drawing tablet so the 'expanse' was not so vast and overwhelming. Picked up a couple more pencils and erasers (most important, LOL) and a few drawing circles, rulers, etc.

Giving it a go and 'letting go' as well of the self-criticism holding me back. Your advice was well taken. Thank you.

-----------------
Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

The success a person achieved in life after life is over is not measured by the material items, wealth or land they acquire. But in the lives they have touched in a positive way and the people who remember them with a fondness and a smile or a tear that they are no longer.
- my brother

 

[b fold the truth]

I'm looking for some REALLY cool Strongman designs for my company logo...if you are looking for something different to think about in your mind and doodle around with.

Or just a lifesized edition of your avatar...

B True

 

[Stryker1992]

Tried to get out my drawing tablet and art set today so I could try to draw again. Its been years and I have been fearful of picking up the pencil again and putting it to paper. I have a large antique drawing table and all this stuff, but everytime I try to do it, after about a minute or two I feel defeated and like I'm no good anymore. Like I'm going to be judged for my ability or something.

Anyone ever have this problem when trying to pick up a long lost hobby? I often wonder why this happens when it was something I enjoyed so much...

-----------------
Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

The success a person achieved in life after life is over is not measured by the material items, wealth or land they acquire. But in the lives they have touched in a positive way and the people who remember them with a fondness and a smile or a tear that they are no longer.
- my brother

Not to sound too much like a psychologist (which I am) but.. I am betting you fear being critiqued about other things as well. In the most sever form it is noted as avoidant persoanlity disorder, simplest, could be fear of failure. Did you ever have a person tell you that your art sucks in the past?

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

Not to sound too much like a psychologist (which I am) but.. I am betting you fear being critiqued about other things as well. In the most sever form it is noted as avoidant persoanlity disorder, simplest, could be fear of failure. Did you ever have a person tell you that your art sucks in the past?

Well, since you had the courage to be so honest, I guess I can be honest as well. To answer your last question first, no - no one had ever said anything about my art. I was awarded a full art scholarship to a private school in the city where I live, but was going in another direction and didn't accept it. I feel my art was deemed pretty good by any who saw it.

Your other question is more personal and I want to answer it because its all about helping (myself) because I am frankly the one who asked for it.

I am pretty sure I got into bodybuilding and stayed in it 7-8yrs because of the acceptance it gave me. It wasn't so much a feeling of failure as it was a feeling of needing to be a part of something...in the beginning. As time passed however, I did enjoy the competition and winning, but something more sinister began to happen; I enjoyed the attention. After a while I began to look for the attention the sport provided me and it was even worse after some Flex magazine photography and more exposure. I will say I craved it.

After summer of 2003 I was feeling the physical effects of so many years of the sport and also had posted some not so subtle pictures of myself here on EF in my gallery. I had a BF at the time and he wasn't happy about it and asked me why I needed to do that. Well that is another story altogether, but this is why I have no more pictures of myself (like those before) in my gallery and I have retired from the sport.

A very good question and I feel I answered as honestly as I could without too much emotion. I feel much better about who I am these days and wouldn't trade the last 8 years as they have made me the person I am today. Thank you for asking and posing something for me to really think about.

-----------------
Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

The success a person achieved in life after life is over is not measured by the material items, wealth or land they acquire. But in the lives they have touched in a positive way and the people who remember them with a fondness and a smile or a tear that they are no longer.
- my brother

 

[wnt2bBeast]

Hi ya Sis
hang in there girl good things will happen for you..
its just like riding a bike

 

[vinylgroover]

i don't really understand why you are putting the pressure on yourself. If it is a hobby, treat it like one........a hobby is something you do for enjoyement, an escape for your mind. why did you draw in the first place?........it was a release of your creative urges and to have fun..........that's what it should be about now too. when we are kids, we draw because it's fun........we try to convey our imagination and thoughts on paper. get in touch with the child inside you again and draw like you are that kid.

 

[stilleto]

as you know, i offered my help in a k message. I went to school on a scholarship too and remember and still use quite a bit of what i learned to spark my creativity or at least, get back into the swing of things. If you want some ideas, drop me a pm.

 

[Stryker1992]

Well, since you had the courage to be so honest, I guess I can be honest as well. To answer your last question first, no - no one had ever said anything about my art. I was awarded a full art scholarship to a private school in the city where I live, but was going in another direction and didn't accept it. I feel my art was deemed pretty good by any who saw it.

Your other question is more personal and I want to answer it because its all about helping (myself) because I am frankly the one who asked for it.

I am pretty sure I got into bodybuilding and stayed in it 7-8yrs because of the acceptance it gave me. It wasn't so much a feeling of failure as it was a feeling of needing to be a part of something...in the beginning. As time passed however, I did enjoy the competition and winning, but something more sinister began to happen; I enjoyed the attention. After a while I began to look for the attention the sport provided me and it was even worse after some Flex magazine photography and more exposure. I will say I craved it.

After summer of 2003 I was feeling the physical effects of so many years of the sport and also had posted some not so subtle pictures of myself here on EF in my gallery. I had a BF at the time and he wasn't happy about it and asked me why I needed to do that. Well that is another story altogether, but this is why I have no more pictures of myself (like those before) in my gallery and I have retired from the sport.

A very good question and I feel I answered as honestly as I could without too much emotion. I feel much better about who I am these days and wouldn't trade the last 8 years as they have made me the person I am today. Thank you for asking and posing something for me to really think about.

-----------------
QUOTE]

Yes, i remember the pictures quite well. That was a bit ago. I have not "chatted" with Quad in a long time other..but a few yrs back we had a mutual friend become an A-hole!!!

Good for you! You are worthy of attention but the feelings of contentment must come from within!!!!!

 

[ChefWide]

great thread, speaks strongly to the hope that we never give up on the stuff that we did/do well, the things that give us joy that bring some beauty into our lives..

Doing for ourselves, be it with pencil, an instrument, a garden, a saute pan... taking the time to learn a skill to the point of 'artisan' is a wonderful thing for your SOUL... dont you think that brings out the best in us all?

Its hard, and frustrating as could be, for me, i suffer savagely from perfectionism to the point of things never EVER being 'complete', a compliment being oft painful to receive on my food esp., the dish could have been sooo much better if I had only....

hard to enjoy the moment when the worst critic in the world wears my skin, ya know?

 

[Quadsweeps Sister]

great thread, speaks strongly to the hope that we never give up on the stuff that we did/do well, the things that give us joy that bring some beauty into our lives..

Doing for ourselves, be it with pencil, an instrument, a garden, a saute pan... taking the time to learn a skill to the point of 'artisan' is a wonderful thing for your SOUL... dont you think that brings out the best in us all?

Its hard, and frustrating as could be, for me, i suffer savagely from perfectionism to the point of things never EVER being 'complete', a compliment being oft painful to receive on my food esp., the dish could have been sooo much better if I had only....

hard to enjoy the moment when the worst critic in the world wears my skin, ya know?

Truer words...your own worst critic is often yourself.

Being complete is not always possible at all times, but I think we can at least strive for contentment, or acceptance of where we are at with our lives or even if it is just the project or mission of the moment.

There will always be the if only's and the could have been's, but there will never be anything more important than the here and now.

...and I think I'm going to 'live' in it, something I haven't done for a long time.

 

[Sassy69]

Well, since you had the courage to be so honest, I guess I can be honest as well. To answer your last question first, no - no one had ever said anything about my art. I was awarded a full art scholarship to a private school in the city where I live, but was going in another direction and didn't accept it. I feel my art was deemed pretty good by any who saw it.

Your other question is more personal and I want to answer it because its all about helping (myself) because I am frankly the one who asked for it.

I am pretty sure I got into bodybuilding and stayed in it 7-8yrs because of the acceptance it gave me. It wasn't so much a feeling of failure as it was a feeling of needing to be a part of something...in the beginning. As time passed however, I did enjoy the competition and winning, but something more sinister began to happen; I enjoyed the attention. After a while I began to look for the attention the sport provided me and it was even worse after some Flex magazine photography and more exposure. I will say I craved it.

After summer of 2003 I was feeling the physical effects of so many years of the sport and also had posted some not so subtle pictures of myself here on EF in my gallery. I had a BF at the time and he wasn't happy about it and asked me why I needed to do that. Well that is another story altogether, but this is why I have no more pictures of myself (like those before) in my gallery and I have retired from the sport.

A very good question and I feel I answered as honestly as I could without too much emotion. I feel much better about who I am these days and wouldn't trade the last 8 years as they have made me the person I am today. Thank you for asking and posing something for me to really think about.

-----------------
Mythicwrld

"We deceive ourselves when we fancy that only weakness needs support. Strength needs it far more."

The success a person achieved in life after life is over is not measured by the material items, wealth or land they acquire. But in the lives they have touched in a positive way and the people who remember them with a fondness and a smile or a tear that they are no longer.
- my brother

Hey girl! Very personally revealing on your part - thx for sharing. Even though I've met you I had no idea. I'm glad I know you a little bit better. I think especially the fitness industry is one of constant growth & change, finding confidence & accomplishment that you never knew you had and then learning to deal w/ it and maybe learning to live beyond it.

Sounds like you had the same path to follow w/ your art - maybe its just time to take that fork in the road and see where it takes you. It, just like the bodybuilding, will help contribute to who you are and it will continue to always be yours which ever way you take it.

One thing I believe is that each person is one "complete unit" - but that unit is made up several different things with more or less "ability" in the various areas that generally contribute to each "person". Some of us have greater & lesser skills than others in each category. If you have some native skills that you excel at, they are what you are "born" with - no one can ever take them from you and they are yours to enjoy for your whole life. Don't ignore them because they are special skills that have a special purpose - could be they help you through a difficult time, maybe they help you see or appreciate the really fundamental things in life that normally fly by, or maybe it makes someone else feel better and in turn, gives you a sense of gratification in being able to help someone. Whatever, but it is a skill that was given for some reason and at the very least, don't be scared of it. Embrace it because it is yours!

BTW I pretty much suck at drawing & singing. I can muck through some music & I have a decent sense of space relations. I've found that this weekend while my parents are visiting & helping me set up my house which until this past friday still had boxes of stuff sitting where the movers dropped it a year ago.

Can hardly wait for you to see where your skill takes you!