YOU ARE NOT PICASSO...& THAT'S GOOD !

Hello...yes, it's ME! Still ill, Still in pain. Still being creative. Still moaning, and FINALLY writing a Blog again in an attempt to inspire you to make some fab art!😊

YOU ARE NOT PICASSO..& THAT'S GOOD!

Many moons ago, I was evicerated by an art tutor looking at my work, then pointing to a poster of a Picasso print, and asking me "Why can't you do that?!"  In World of stupid opinions and limitless questions, it still ranks as one of the most witless things I've ever heard.

The thing that stops most of us from being creative is just that brand of scorn. Who are we to DARE to call ourselves artists, when others are SO much more talented, so much more worthwhile. We lurk in the shadows afraid that what we see as imperfections in our work will recieve a hostile reception. And if it's not other people telling us that dogs don't have 5 legs, and trees are not pink...then we stick a hand into the sock- puppet who can slag us off with the most efficiency: Our Inner Critic.

Each of us has a bespoke creativity as unique as your fingerprints and your dental records. Until you pick up a pen/ brush/crayon/glue-gun, your uniqueness remains silent. No one else can do what you are capable of, and you are capable of much more than you know.

The deterents when you are in pain/chronically ill,  are even greater- you might make your pain worse ( spoiler alert: you probably will!), and what happens if you flake out halfway through? You may have questions..

..I never go out- how can I feel inspired?

...What if my work looks stupid?

...Maybe my art teacher had a point?!

WHOA THERE! 

Here is the Chronic Elephant's guide to getting started ( YOU'RE WELCOME!).

1. GET COMFORTABLE. The trope of the suffering artist is highly overated. Get comfy, stay warm and stop as many times as you need to. Chose a size to work that doesn't feel offputting.

2. GET A LOT OF CHEAP MATERIALS, RATHER THAN A SMALL AMOUNT OF 'PROFESSIONAL QUALITY' ART MATERIALS. Felt tips or biros can be as good to draw with as a range of 'Artist's Professional Quality Pencils'.  Get a load of cheap paper, so you can do lots and lots. Quantity beats quality every time.

3. REDUCE MENTAL LOAD. If choosing from 40 coloured pencils is too much, use just two that contrast. Take some photos on your phone, or listen to https://www.artslicepod.com and learn from other artists. 

4. START A JOURNAL. Get all your morning angst out in words, and leave it on the page.

5. BUY A COLOUR WHEEL, AND TRY DIFFERENT COLOUR COMBINATIONS. What colour feels like you today?!

...And most important 5. PLAY. Try things- maybe a 5 legged camel is what you WANT to draw. SPOILER ALERT: That Art teacher was an idiot!

6. SHARE YOUR WORK ONLY WHEN YOU'RE COMFORTABLE & WITH FOLK WHO ARE HIGH QUALITY GOLD PLATED FRIENDS.

THANK YOU FOR READING AND SHARING THE CHRONIC ELEPHANT BLOG.😊