To take attendance in my now online classes, students take a QoD (question-of-the-day) “quiz.” I’ve been mining these questions from here lately.
A recent one was: What job would you be terrible at? Too many students said “artist.” Usually because: “I can’t draw.”
I empathize with that answer. I remember feeling very inadequate in art class in high school. I never really considered myself to be an artist. And that persisted. That persisted until I was 30ish.
That’s a long time to self-identify as someone who isn’t creative.
Art had already snuck its way into my life here and there. But when my divorce was going on it made a bigger presence in my life. I think my first real foray into art was going to a “paint and sip class,” where you drink wine and a teacher helps you paint a picture. I went to a couple of those, and I had the epiphany I could do it on my own!
Creating space for art in my life has ultimately helped me to heal and continue healing. I create all kinds of things now, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made over time. Both with my art and with my healing.
I want that for my students. For them to have a way to show their emotions. For them to develop the skills that go along with learning new things about how art works. For them to take pride in the act of creation!
So today, I sent them a post saying I didn’t believe they couldn’t draw, and I send this link with it. Straight lines and curved lines. It’s as easy as that.
YOU CAN DRAW. YOU CAN CREATE ART. YOU CAN CREATE!
“No, I can’t.”
I don’t believe you. And I challenge you to draw something. Anything! I’d love to see your masterpieces when you accept my challenge.
