Wednesday, May 31, 2006

What inspires me...

 Art never fails to inspire, elevate, calm , and motivate me.

No matter my mood, looking at paintings and sculpture soothes me. When I go to this blog, I am faced with joy, longing and ... yes even a bit of envy. Leanne is so talented, I wish I was as good of an artist as she is.

Here are two drawings I did as a teen in high school. I think with the first I was 14, and the second 15 or 16. I wish the pictures had come out a little better, they are a bit blurry because of my dying digital camera and because of the glare proof glass... click them to see more detail.

The picnic scene hangs in my dining room, some days I don't even notice it. On others I crave the feel of shiny pencils and scratchy paper on my skin. The drawing of the girl, you probably recognize... that was me when I was about 6 or 7. I drew this for my mother as a Christmas present, and the memory of her response when she opened it makes this drawing hard for me to look at... well in the past anyway. I paid for every part of this present, with my time and hard earned money. I was hoping she would love me for drawing for her... something she complained about a lot. I was "so talented, but didn't love her enough to draw something for her". When I finally did, instead of matching my excitement... she crushed me.

Today, I removed the bubble wrap to take a picture, and I was pleasantly surprised to see an image of myself smiling like that. I think she (young me) deserves a place on my walls some where, if not only because I am proud of what I accomplished in this drawing... even if my mother was not. I am a little ashamed of myself for not making the time for my art, and only have a few paintings to show for my years since graduating from high school 20 years ago.

Anyway... seeing my own work, and not being critical of it for once in my life has really, truly inspired me! I can't wait to get my hands on something and get to work!smile

24 comments:

Ash said...

Excellant Drawings, I love the scape of the one. Am so into nature like scenes.
You are an artist!

Anonymous said...

You did those as a teenage? WOW! You are so talented! You really should do more of it!

Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Wow Mert! You are so talented. I can't believe you drew that picture at such a young age. Amazing. You really should grab yourself a pad and pencil now. I'm jealous of your talent. I long for a creative outlet.

Anonymous said...

WOW MARY. I REMEMBER SEEING THE PICTURE BUT I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT IT AND AT HOW WONDERFULLY TALENTED YOU ARE. GOD HAS GIVEN YOU A GREAT GIFT. THANKS FOR SHARING.
ANTI YVONNE

Anonymous said...

Those are fantastic!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my site. Your drawings are amazing. You really should do one of your daughters as a keepsake. I love the picnic one too!

ChrisB said...

What a fantastic talent you have, don't let it go to waste I would love to see more.

Pamela said...

you need to get your pencils out again mert

flip flop mama said...

Wow you are talented! I wish I could draw like that--or more like at all...You should definitely take tht up again. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Anonymous said...

Now is the time to get those pencils and paper out and start drawing again. You are very talented!!!

Kelly Curtis said...

Oh my gosh - you were that talented at such a young age?? I'm totally impressed!!

Karianne said...

Mary,

What an absolutely amazing woman you are. Those colors and your eye are right on, especially for a teen. Have you done any drawings of the girls? My mom had oil paintings done of us when we were younger, painted by an aunt and they are cherished still. Not that you have all of the free time in the world, but still.

PS. Your word verification on this comment is wavywez. Funny, huh? I love it when they come out like this.

Kat said...

Wow! Those are amazing!

Leanne said...

You should absolutely go to your nearest Dick Blick (or dickblick.com) and get yourself a nice set of prismacolor pencils, an electric sharpener, a blender and some canson mi-tientes dimple textured paper.

I know why you stopped, but I sure do hope that you're planning on waving goodbye to those reasons and start working on some still life pieces!

I'm glad I can share my work, and I'm glad that it inspires you. I hope it draws out what you've been hiding all these years.

Hugs!

Dana a/k/a Sunshine said...

You are very talented. I had to check out the competition entry (I also entered the contest...) I love your entry - it IS very inspiring. I hope you get back to drawing. I'll be back!

Scribbit said...

You were really good--I'm really impressed!

Heather in Beautiful BC said...

Wow - you are talented! Hope you really get back into it now :)

exskindiver said...

hi mert,
i "visited" you yesterday. sorry that
i did not leave a comment. i think what you wrote got me thinking...(about your mother)
and then i logged off.
like you, i try on a daily basis to spin any negative into a positive.
so in your case,
i bet your relationship with your mother is making you the best mother you can possibly be--supportive and encouraging of your children--
have a great weekend,
~chesca

Mary said...

Thanks all of you, you all made my whole week.:D

I guess I need to get out there and buy some new supplies... which I have to be careful with because buying art supplies is like crack to me.;)

My aunt Yvonne commented again, she's such a rock for me... love ya Anti Yvonne!

I told my husband that he needs to keep encouraging/nagging me to stop dragging me feet... Anna and i have come up with a story for a children's book. I can't wait until we get the new SLR digital camera so i can start taking shots to draw illustrations from. :)

Holly Schwendiman said...

What a fantastic share...not only something that inspires you but inspiring to see you share your talents too! They are fantastic!

Hugs,
Holly
Holly's Corner

Anonymous said...

you inspire me mert. Your talent is amazing.

Heather said...

Those are beautiful! I love to draw and sketch, too. Like you, I haven't for along time. What a shame your Mom didn't parise your efforts. She was the one who lost out on that deal for sure.

Anonymous said...

YOu have some beatiful works here wow and you don't think your talented? do not ever look on my art page ok... seriously!!

I love the picnac drawing and the self portrate was lovely!!! It really was I hope you do some more work and share it with us!!

JAM said...

Girrrrl. If you can draw like this, what are your doing blogging?