Pencils and paper are ordinary. Even a child can scribble and doodle. Courage not required.
BUT…
when you mix a pencil and paper with the conscious decision to really learn how to draw then drawing can potentially become a powerful act of CLAIMING, DEFIANCE and even BRAVERY. Lets see why:
First steps and Transformations
Cindy Wider (course co-founder and my wife) is a prime example of bravery and transformation through drawing and art. Just for a moment let’s visit a few paragraphs from her book “Paint In Your Pyjamas”, the part where she makes a huge decision that would change her life forever after being ill and unable to walk for many months:
“As I stood in my pyjamas on that little hill I felt as though I had conquered Mount Everest and said to myself, “If I can do this I can do anything.” Suddenly I understood the true meaning of goal setting. Then I asked myself what it was that I really wanted to do with my life, and realised that more than anything else in the world, I wanted to learn to draw and paint.”
The Turning Point
It was this decision that took Cindy on a journey from being unable to walk to becoming a well known artist, art educator and ultimately to meeting me. We rarely discuss this story these days as our life is full and there is so much to look forward to, but, historically this turning point in Cindy’s life was a brave decision in the face of adversity. Cindy dared to change her situation by picking up a pencil and learning to draw, moving from a hopeless situation into a life full of hope and possibilities.
Have you made a brave decision to learn to draw?
Not all stories are as extreme as Cindy’s, but think about it. How brave do you have to be to Draw?
Maybe your bravery is because you know that drawing is the key to your future success in your chosen career and you are committed to doing whatever it takes.
Maybe you are being brave because you finally decided, after many years of waiting, to claim something special just for yourself.
Maybe you are brave because you are stepping out of your comfort zone, making a leap of blind faith towards the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Maybe you are being brave because you choose to defy others and do this even though some people around you are telling you that you cannot.
You are not alone
The reason why I am writing this to you is because the internet can feel like a cold and anoymous place. Real people become just icons on a timeline. Everyone is talking, and it can seem that no-one is actually listening. This does not have to be the case.
The foundations of the course at DrawPj.com (and the StuartCindy Art Studio where we presented the original live course) were built on bravery and real connection. There is an empathy and understanding that comes with that. Cindy has a story of bravery, our instructors all have their stories, our students past and present have their stories too (some absolutely amazing ones!)
Yes, you need to learn to draw, but we all need to be heard along the way as well. Whatever your brave reason for drawing is, know that you are in very good company. It’s a common experience to feel afraid, but we are here to support you along the way and there is real strength in knowing that.
Cindy and I have been helping students take their first brave steps in drawing and as artists for about twelve years now. We’ve seen amazing transformations happen time and time again, things that would be hard to predict when students start out at the beginning of a course with something as simple and innocuous as drawing the ‘buzzy bee’ in a grid.
Take the Time to Connect
I encourage you to connect with others during your drawing journey. Yes, when drawing you will spend time alone studying and honing your skills, and this is necessary, but do take the time to genuinely connect with others. When studying with DrawPj.com don’t let your fellow DrawPj’ers just be icons on a timeline. That would be an opportunity missed.
If you are studying with our instructors make sure that you really make the most of them. Tannis and Brigitte both have an absolute wealth of experience, not only in the drawing course but also in caring and knowing first hand the bravery it takes to commit to drawing and becoming an artist.
Until next time,
Be brave!
best regards,
Stuart
(The image at the top of this page is “Queen of the Family” by Cindy Wider)
