I began taking classes from Del Parson in the fall of 2009. He has taught me so much. He is a very successful artist but spends hours each week commuting and teaching at Dixie State College. I try to take a class from him whenever I can. He is kind enough to let me come in late because of my work schedule. Above are some examples of my practice from 2009-2011. Hopefully now that I'm working at my easel at least 5 times a week I'll start to see more improvement. I am trying to overcome a mental block with color and value. Again, I need more practice...then why am I working in charcoal right now? (I guess because I like it!)
Another great teacher is LDS apostle and member of the First Presidency,
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf,
He said, "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before...We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. Our birthright--and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth--is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things...we all have talents and gifts, every one of us...Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before--colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter...As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you."
This little guy has been through a lot. He is a resilient fellow. He used to be a plain old rock. A preschool teacher gave him to my little granddaughter and she painted him a lovely shade of green, attached those penetrating eyes, and he became Frog. Frog lived at my house for two years along with my son and his family--a returning to school, new career story. He had the habit of disappearing for weeks at a time then reappearing suddenly, just in time to make me smile and melt my heart with those soul-searching eyes.
He reminds me to keep trying. After my son's family moved 300 miles away Frog reappeared in their new home. No one remembered packing him. We now enjoy a long distance relationship.
A wise man said, "It is better to look up." I agree. I've spent too much time looking down and it is boring there- same old pity party. The last few years have brought some bumps in the road-BIG bumps. I had "retired early"-actually resigned from my job at the library after 16 years. I started working when my baby entered kindergarten and quit so I could help with her baby while she finished up her dental hygiene degree. It wasn't a hard decision--things were going well. I enjoyed five years of hanging out with my daughter and daughters-in-law, helping with all the babies that were coming along, and taking too frequent trips to Target. A grandma's dream. I didn't want schedules, alarm clocks, or routines. Free at last! I finally had the time to take those art classes from Del Parson that I had been wanting to...but I didn't, It had been too long, I was afraid to go back and face all of those young minds secretly thinking, "Why is that old lady in this class?" The same thing I used to think. But I found out that bumps bring blessings. I was brought out of retirement. I had to go back to work, and in order to do that I had to get college credits to renew my teaching certificate. I signed up for computer classes and every class that Del Parson offered--Life drawing, portrait drawing, pastels, landscape painting and portrait painting. My love for creating art was rekindled. Though I had to return to work, now as a preschool teacher for Head Start, I've continued taking classes whenever I can. I did the illustration above for an Adobe Illustrator class taught by the irreverent, but knowledgeable, J Maxfield.
After the birth of my four children I had a burning desire to get a Bachelor's degree. No four year programs available in my home town at the time. What to do? When my baby turned two, a neighboring college started offering an outreach program for elementary education. Hmmm, I knew I couldn't handle being an elementary teacher, but library/media sounded like something I could enjoy. I began taking classes with two friends from my neighborhood. I could get the basics in the outreach program but I would eventually need to travel on campus for the library/media endorsement. I would also have to spend two summers away from my family to finish up requirements. Hardest thing I ever did but it opened a door for me. Since I was traveling anyway, why not take some art classes too? I ended up discovering that an art major was available for only 60 hrs. With classes I had taken previously and some correspondence courses I would be able to get my degree in art along with an elementary teaching certificate. I loved taking illustration classes from Arlene Braithwaite and life drawing from Mark Bangerter. One year just wasn't enough. I wasn't an artist yet! Someone was still keeping essential 'art secrets' from me! I hadn't discovered the 10,000 hour rule- nothing takes the place of practice- not even a degree. After I graduated I found myself in a middle school library--and lucky to be there. Media jobs don't open up very often. Even though I went to work kicking and screaming, I learned a lot, made great friends and enjoyed making library displays and bulletin boards--usually using someone else's artwork. The 'art part' of me was once again pushed aside but not totally buried for almost 20 years.
Last week's project. I'm never sure when a drawing is finished. I hate to over do it, but I probably don't push the values quite enough.
This is my first son. He's my cowboy. My dad would be so proud. He was a sheepherder then a cattleman on the Arizona Strip. He spent a lot of time taking my children on horseback rides at the old posse grounds. It stuck with this one.
I always liked to draw. Growing up in a small Southern Utah town didn't give much opportunity for art instruction. When I was five I won a giant Easter bunny from the "Miss Nancy" TV program for the drawing I did of same bunny- but the winner was actually drawn from a hat. I was lucky, but can't really claim that as an artistic prize. During elementary I got a little attention for being a "good drawer." I did not take an art class that I remember in Junior High- took Spanish instead. In High School I was on the journalism staff and drew headlines for the school paper- no time for art class. So it wasn't until Dixie College that I enrolled in my first beginning drawing class. The teacher's name was Gene Riggs. One day when I handed in an assignment of gesture drawings he said my name incredulously, like he couldn't believe what he saw. That gave me a little confidence boost. I also took oil painting and pottery classes--loved pottery, didn't like the oil class. I guess I felt encouraged enough that I wanted to major in art. Mom thought I should major in Home Economics like my sister, but I didn't. I attended one year at Dixie College then transferred to BYU. I wanted to experience living away from home before my sweetie came home from his LDS mission. Bravely I entered the art foundation classes. I would have to pass those with a B- or better to be admitted into the official art majors program. I was woefully unprepared for those classes. Every assignment made me cry. On top of that I had to endure everyone's comments..."You're majoring in art?? How easy!" I did get a B- in the foundations, but I was pretty discouraged about majoring in art. I went home, graduated from Dixie married my RM and was happily expecting my first child 2 months later.
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| My Jo |
The first time I heard about the 10,000 hours rule was in a class taught by artist, Del Parson. He said that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to mastery. It was brought to my attention again by one of my favorite children's book illustrators, Will Terry. He quoted from the book, The Outliers, it takes 10,000 hours of GOOD practice to master ANYTHING. I decided I better read the book. Sure enough, 10,000 hours. Do I have 10,000 hours left? Hopefully I do. What have I got to lose? I am giving myself 1,000 hours, hence, 9,000 is going to be my lucky number. I figure I've had at least that much practice in my almost 60 years. After all, I did get a degree in Art over 20 years ago. What have I been doing since then? Working, raising a family, becoming a grandmother, etc., etc. I was definitely still very much a novice when I graduated. So enough excuses, after today I am setting a goal for myself of 10 hours of drawing per week. Not much, but I work full time at a job that pretty much zaps all of my energy and strength. 10 hours per week, if I can do more, great!
