Believe it or not, I can actually draw...
When I was thirteen, I happened across one of those 'Draw Me' things in the back of a magazine. I don't know if anyone else paid much attention to those ads. I'm not even certain if they still are in the back of magazines since most of the subscriptions I have now are more alternative in nature.
Anyway, I saw this 'Draw Me' ad and the picture was of a teddy bear wearing a hat. It was just the head. Rather simple. I figured I would give it a shot and I stole a stamp from my mother's purse and mailed off my submission, along with all my details. Within two weeks I received a call from the Art Institute of New York and was setting up a meeting with someone who wanted to meet me in person. After that, we met the guy a few days later and he was invited to our crappy little trailer. While at my home, he requested to see more of my sketches and actually asked to keep one I did of a girl and a horse. Then, he offered me a full scholarship to the Art Institute of New York. I was to be enrolled but do my work from home. It was an AMAZING thing for me. I think at that moment, despite my life, I was the happiest teenager in the world.
About 2 months later, I received a low grade in algebra. Math has never been one of my strongest subjects. My mom got really upset with me and as a punishment she contacted the Art Institute and put a screeching halt to my studies. She took away all my pads, paints, pencils, and sketches and trashed them all, saying I would never have a future if I didn't do better in my other studies. Especially mathematics. That no matter how good I was artistically, I would never amount to anything. After that, I never sketched or painted anything again...
Until last night.
It was a simple sketch. Just a rose. Nothing really special. And its not finished. But for a moment I found complete peace. And though I recognize that my skills have not really grown all that much since all that happened, I don't really mind. I realized, finally on my own, that I do have a good eye. It shows in my digital renderings. And with time I will get better. She may have been able to kill my spirit off for a very long time, but she couldn't take away my talent. It's always been there, just waiting to be nurtured out again. Unfortunately, it will be a long time before I will ever show anyone my sketches because I will not be able to take criticism well when it comes to them. Slow healing process and all...
But at least I'm doing it again. And that's what really matters.
Anyway, I saw this 'Draw Me' ad and the picture was of a teddy bear wearing a hat. It was just the head. Rather simple. I figured I would give it a shot and I stole a stamp from my mother's purse and mailed off my submission, along with all my details. Within two weeks I received a call from the Art Institute of New York and was setting up a meeting with someone who wanted to meet me in person. After that, we met the guy a few days later and he was invited to our crappy little trailer. While at my home, he requested to see more of my sketches and actually asked to keep one I did of a girl and a horse. Then, he offered me a full scholarship to the Art Institute of New York. I was to be enrolled but do my work from home. It was an AMAZING thing for me. I think at that moment, despite my life, I was the happiest teenager in the world.
About 2 months later, I received a low grade in algebra. Math has never been one of my strongest subjects. My mom got really upset with me and as a punishment she contacted the Art Institute and put a screeching halt to my studies. She took away all my pads, paints, pencils, and sketches and trashed them all, saying I would never have a future if I didn't do better in my other studies. Especially mathematics. That no matter how good I was artistically, I would never amount to anything. After that, I never sketched or painted anything again...
Until last night.
It was a simple sketch. Just a rose. Nothing really special. And its not finished. But for a moment I found complete peace. And though I recognize that my skills have not really grown all that much since all that happened, I don't really mind. I realized, finally on my own, that I do have a good eye. It shows in my digital renderings. And with time I will get better. She may have been able to kill my spirit off for a very long time, but she couldn't take away my talent. It's always been there, just waiting to be nurtured out again. Unfortunately, it will be a long time before I will ever show anyone my sketches because I will not be able to take criticism well when it comes to them. Slow healing process and all...
But at least I'm doing it again. And that's what really matters.