After studying your course, there was a significant change especially in my attitude to what I am able to learn and achieve, despite my age (now 65). A little about how things were and what has changed;
At the time when I discovered “DrawPJ” some years ago I was in a state of losing hope of ever learning to draw properly. All my life I had an inner longing to draw and paint. In my teens I developed a skill for sketching, but that was it. Over the years I bought many quality coloured pencil sets, watercolour pans, brushes and purchased books on art. It all remained unused and collected dust on my shelves.
I hardly got anywhere and was about to get rid of my art stuff. While trying to find who to sell to or give away the Derwent pencil boxes to on the internet, I found reviews about Cindy’s books. My curiosity was awakened and I changed my mind about learning to draw when I explored Cindy’s website.
It was helpful to read about your own life experiences and of others. I am grateful you were happy to share that in your book. It was reassuring that I am not alone, that this teacher also had experienced some tough times in life. Plus, obviously it’s nice to know something about the teacher before taking the plunge.
With mentoring my confidence soared and I regained that hope of learning to draw after all. There is such a difference from trying to learn from books or video tutorials as I did before, to having a real teacher to communicate with and getting personal feedback.
I started to experience being an artist from the beginning, as Cindy communicates as if you are an artist already who is taken seriously. She guides you to do what artists do from the start, like how to prepare and plan an artwork.
I am being listened to and find she seems to “get it”. You can share struggles and good times too with Cindy even when it hasn’t got anything to do with art. Whenever you write to her, she replies promptly and quickly.The encouragement and support is priceless when you are trying to learn new skills. Otherwise, when I tried to learn on my own, it got boring, frustrating and lonely.
I never expected to learn to draw so well at all. To begin with I read recommendations of your course and applied. I thought I will give it a go, and see how far I can get. But when Cindy offered me mentoring, and I had read the reviews, I went for it. It was very exciting to be able to learn the important basics properly and getting feedback every step of the way.
Still, it surprises you no end, you work and concentrate on a project step by step and suddenly you see what you have achieved and can hardly believe that you did that, not just capable, bit done a great drawing.
Well, I could not have done that and sticking to it as well as continue developing, without the mentoring with Cindy, no way.
Most of all, to have an experienced art teacher who is interested in your development and thinks you are already an artist, to have her support and keeps in touch with you is extremely helpful in all areas of life.
I am easily distracted and dreamy, good at planning but bad at following through. So I really need a mentor like Cindy who can guide me back and has tons of experience not just about doing art but also on what it entails to be an artist. That you need to schedule time for art. Cindy will often remind us to make space for art in our lives, physically and mentally.
When art hasn’t been a part of your life before, of course you need advice and help with making it a reality. I have learnt to see that doing art can be as natural to do as washing up after yourself or getting up in the morning, a part of your daily regular activities.
By the way, since I started drawing with Cindy, I enjoy life a lot more. Some days I find myself waking up in the morning and excited about the day because I can’t wait to start or continue on that drawing, to sit by my favourite desk and have all art supplies ready to use.
The changes I am experiencing are gradual and subtle. It may not only be the art I am learning to do, but it has a ripple effect on the rest of my life. Like the confidence to go out and meet others. For instance, I am fairly new where we live and want to get to know more people. Now I am happy to join local art groups and workshops. Who knows what is in store, God knows.
