In May of 2006 I decided to challenge myself to draw for 15 minutes a day. I needed an outlet in the midst of the crazy life of a stay-at-home mom to three boys under 5. Drawing had always been something that I did now and then, but it was time to make it a regular thing. So, I started drawing for 15 minutes a day, no excuses - no "too tireds", no "nothing to draw", no "I'm not good at this." Just 15 minutes a day to lose myself.
Well, that led into researching information and techniques online, which lead to becoming a regular blog reader...leading to becoming a regular blog writer. All these things have been very good for me - I truly believe that I am a better wife and mother because I have my artwork and blog. I believe my family would agree. :-)
Anyway, I recently realized that I was missing another key component. I really need a group of fellow artists who would be brutally honest with me - so I can grow as an artist. A couple of months ago Maggie Stiefvater encouraged her readers about her own group Fineline Artists. And I thought, "well, yes, lovely, but how to find the people?" Then recently Katherine Tyrrell made a similar point in one of her posts. I suddenly realized that I already knew a group of people.
So I decided to email 3 other ladies whose blogs I read on a regular basis, and who I have had some email contact with. I sent them an email asking if they were interested in joining up as a group for the purposes of critique, encouragement, and laughter (laughing is always a good thing!) I made it clear that I would understand if they were not interested, but I wanted to try. All three came back eager to do it. We swapped some emails and now we have a private blog.
So, I am very proud to announce that I am a part of Fine Art Friends...with Belinda Lindhardt, Jo Castillo, and Kasie Sallee and Valerie Jones. I have to say that I am very excited to work with these ladies, I admire all of their work.
If you are looking for a similar group, start one. People can always respectfully decline your offer. All the ladies above have more experience than I do. I honestly feel amazed that they agreed to do this with me. I was very nervous sending out that email - I didn't want to lose the few friends I had made on the web! Already, this group has been a good thing for each of us. I would strongly encourage anyone thinking about joining a group to do so.
The image at the top is a detailed value study for my poplar tree experiment.
8 comments:
Rose,
Thank you for the kind words, I imagine I have more experience but only because of my age. :) Thanks to Katherine and Maggie.
This is a great adventure for us. Off we go .....
Jo
I'm the one who feel honored that you asked me!
I like what Jo said, a great adventure!
:)
Likewise Rose :) i am really excited about being a part of this group and honored to be amongst you all.
Thanks Ladies, I am very thankful that we're doing this!
That is a great idea Rose. Its good to have others to bounce ideas off and who can give you honest feedback instead of constant compliments - nice as they are :)
Best of luck with it!
Thanks for stopping by Jeanette. The idea wasn't really mine, but I plan to get alot of benefit from it nonetheless!
Rose, I think you are an awesome person and all of you have so much to contribute to a group like this. I just know I'm going to be able to watch you all grow by leaps and bounds -- Fine Line did the same for me.
Maggie,
Thanks so much for your kind words...I appreciate you stopping by. This group is already very good for all of us. I think we're all that more inspired to try a little harder. For instance, we see the others making strides in a medium, or in business, and we know their lives are as busy as ours and it just sort of pushes us to try harder. (And we have a whole team to turn to when the doubt creeps in!)
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