Sunday, April 16, 2006

Coloring Outside the Lines

My foray into the art world, taking painting lessons, has really taught me a lot about myself. It's strange how art reflects the artist's personality, background, & even upbringing.

In my first class, I tried to paint "within the lines"; I kept my brush strokes as even as possible; it was hard for me to let go of what I had previously been taught since toddlerhood. Remember the coloring books we used to have as kids, & how our teachers & parents would tell us to color within the lines? I realise now that that has how I have been living my life. Always coloring within the lines. Not making a "wrong move". Doing what is conventional & expected. Not upsetting the balance of the universe.

My art teacher told us to forget all that we have been told about what art should look like. It's OK to have uneven brush strokes. You don't have to color within the lines. The sky doesn't have to be blue or the grass green.

It's still an uphill battle for me to use my right brain, and to try to perceive of the world around me in a totally different way than I am used to. I have been so used to seeing the world in black & white & gray, that I had forgotten about the other colors in the spectrum.

With Art, I am starting to open my eyes, & to stimulate previously slumbering neurons in that area of my brain that has been left idle too long. I see a long journey ahead, but one which I look forward to with relish.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Thanks a lot for all the sharings in your blog. I have been following almost each of your in-put.I like your thoughts and you.

Now I am wondering where or which school you go for the painting class. Not that I want to go there and chase after you, but think that maybe sometime I can also go join a painting class there.

Thanks again!

aliendoc said...

I don't go to a school. I go to classes held by an artist in her home. She does classes for watercolor & acrylic/oil. I wanted something less formal & less structured than what is available at schools like NAFA or La Salle - main thing for me was the flexibility & fun! If it sounds like something you are looking for, let me know your email address & I will forward you the info. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot! SOunds cool...My email address:floresitaniu@yahoo.com Thank you very much.