This is an amazing 2-minute animated film: Thought of You by Ryan Woodard. It required more than 20,000 animated drawings to create.
It is beautiful.
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Watercoloring
The other day my daughter asked if she could paint with her new birthday water color set. I set them up for her and she started painting. Unfortunately, the paint set was very cheap and she became immediately frustrated. I tried to explain that it was the tiny brush and weak paints, but her brother was across from her successfully painting a picture with them, so my words were useless. She quietly set down her paint brush and threw herself onto the couch, sobbing. I sat down beside her, pulled her onto my lap, and wrapped her in my arms. I tried to calm her, but she could not stop sobbing. After a few minutes she suddenly burst out: "I thought art was my talent, but now I know it's not! I'm doomed! What am I going to do?!"
I was speechless.
I couldn't believe that a six-year old could have such an intense degree of disappointment when unable to produce desired results. I couldn't believe that she had, up to this point, defined herself as a talented artist and was now having an identity crisis.
I tried to explain that it is okay if we are not very good at something - or the best. I tried to explain that she can paint because she enjoys it, not because she is an expert at it. I then distracted her with something else because I couldn't convince her that she was still a great artist. (Since then she has resumed painting - but exclusively with water colors squeezed from my expensive little tubes.)
Yesterday, I added some finishing touches to a painting I have been working on. I wasn't completely focused on it; I messed it up and was extremely disappointed. I silently told myself that I should not be wasting my time painting. Then, I remembered the conversation I had with my daughter. I swallowed and reminded myself that I can paint because I enjoy it, not because my results are breathtaking.
But, seriously, art is exhausting. If it weren't so inwardly rewarding I would have thrown my arms up long ago. I hope that my daughter will recognize this early on and continue to stick with it - because I honestly think that she is good at it.
And, let's face it, we need to fill our lives with things that uplift us, challenge us, and allow us to develop ourselves - even if they are painful and frustrating at times.
I was speechless.
I couldn't believe that a six-year old could have such an intense degree of disappointment when unable to produce desired results. I couldn't believe that she had, up to this point, defined herself as a talented artist and was now having an identity crisis.
I tried to explain that it is okay if we are not very good at something - or the best. I tried to explain that she can paint because she enjoys it, not because she is an expert at it. I then distracted her with something else because I couldn't convince her that she was still a great artist. (Since then she has resumed painting - but exclusively with water colors squeezed from my expensive little tubes.)
Yesterday, I added some finishing touches to a painting I have been working on. I wasn't completely focused on it; I messed it up and was extremely disappointed. I silently told myself that I should not be wasting my time painting. Then, I remembered the conversation I had with my daughter. I swallowed and reminded myself that I can paint because I enjoy it, not because my results are breathtaking.
But, seriously, art is exhausting. If it weren't so inwardly rewarding I would have thrown my arms up long ago. I hope that my daughter will recognize this early on and continue to stick with it - because I honestly think that she is good at it.
And, let's face it, we need to fill our lives with things that uplift us, challenge us, and allow us to develop ourselves - even if they are painful and frustrating at times.
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