I'm a Creator

A few years ago, I was at a Storytelling Retreat.  During one of the sessions, the presenter handed out a bunch of cards that had roles on each card.  He had us put each card into one of three piles:

Yes, this describes me; No, this doesn't describe me; and Maybe this describes me. 

He had us get rid of the No and the Maybe pile.  Then we whittled away the YES pile until we came up with our role or calling in life.  It turns out that my calling in life, my inner urge, the thing that will bring me satisfaction is to be a Creator.

I wasn't sure how that calling would help me become a better storyteller.  And at the time, I wished it was Performer that was calling to me.  After all, isn't that what a storyteller is? 

Then I realized that to be a really good storyteller, the kind that can connect with your audience, you had to Create every single time you got on stage. 

And for a while that carried me.  I did great stuff.  But it wasn't filling me. 

Here's the truth about who I am.  I'm an introvert. I gain my energy from being alone.  When I am with others I have to spend my energy.

If you've seen me tell a story, or teach a lesson, or perform a one woman monologue, you wouldn't jump to that conclusion.  I'm good.  I reach out to the audience.  I respond to the audience.  I've been described as energetic, genuine, and humorous.

Over 20 years ago, I was in art school.  The design department at BYU.  I had been on the 'academic' track in high school.  So that year, I still believed that so long as I had my papers written, I was done with school work.  My social life took a bigger role and at the end of the year, I was not invited to continue in the design department.

My immaturity led me to give up that dream.  But over the years, I've still wanted it.

So, now, after having 5 kids, I'm going after it.  I've claimed half of my youngest daughter's bedroom and made it into a studio.  I'm attending illustration conferences, I belong to a art critic group, I'm learning PhotoShop, and I'm taking my sketch book with me everywhere.

If you check back, I'll post the best of my sketches and in time, the best of my illustrations.

Wish me luck. 

Pamela

Cow Sitting

On vacation, a herd of cows huddled up next to our fence, I drew and drew and drew. I thought they wouldn't move as much as children, but they do. Finally, I got a sketch that embodies the essence of a cow.

July 25, 2011

From My Sketch Book

It only takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at something. My next goal is to become an expert at Illustration. I'm going to do this 100 hours at a time. I've only been keeping a loose track of my hours and so far, I'm up to 10 hours. I think I have underestimated my hours, but hey, I'll still be an expert if it do 10,000 plus hours.

My son figured out that if I spend 2 hours a day it will take me 10 years. 2 hours....that's a lot of time I don't have right now, but it is my goal. Laundry still gets worn even if it doesn't get folded right?

I've been filling a sketch book and I'll begin with posting what I think is my best work out of it. Keep in mind, I plan on getting better....lots better.