Being Normal is Boring

How to start this short article? How indeed. All through my younger and adolescent years I heard phrases like this, “Why aren’t you normal?” Or “Why don’t you act normal?” I was always trying to figure out what was normal. To me I was normal.

I have discovered that each person has their own normal which has nothing to do with right or wrong, good or bad. It is just the way we go about our day. The things we do our habits so to speak.

Why is this important to know as an artist? The main reason is this. We need to be ourselves, our normal when we create art pieces. I have heard it said, “Art comes from the heart.” Down where our normal exists. God gives each of us our normal, our unique gifts. It is okay to use other artists work for inspiration but it is more important to be yourself because that is what makes your art, your art.

In the New Year try not to be so normal in your artwork because it is boring. Create art outside the normal i.e art from the heart.

#546 of 1001 Dressing Up For the Holidays

This 18×20 acrylic painting started out as as me playing with unique methods of applying paint. The underlying part of the painting was done by scraping the paint across the canvas. The second layer was done using a bath puff. This is whe an image of the girl appeared to me. The last layer of the white dress was done with a bath puff and the rest was done using the usual paint brushes.

#438 A Walk Through the Forest

A forest unlike any other. A few created with soft pastels on a white 9 x 12 drawing pad. There are times the road God puts us on is unfamiliar even uncomfortable. We look around but do not see anything or anyone we know. There is a sense which grows deep inside to turn and run. We however must fight off the urge and trust God put us right where are for a reason. We may never be sure why we are where we are but truth be told we do grow and learn with each uncharted step. So take the unfamiliar road and learn. You’ll thank God for it later.

1001 Drawings #377, By the Light of the Yellow Moon

I love the backdrop of old pages for my illustrations. I think think there is something to be said for using re-purposed materials instead of throwing them in the trash. I guess the reason why is because as I am get older I see that nothing anymore appears to be built to last, including relationships and institutions like marriage. I am glad that God does not look at our relationship with us as temporary. No once we enter into a true heartfelt relationship with Him it permanent.

1001 Drawings #373, Reading With Your Sister

I think reading is fundamental. In fact it is how I’ve learned quite a bit about art among other topics. It is also immensely important to read your Bible. God gave us His word not so we can leave it on a table but because he wants us to read it, understand it by the help of the Holy Spirit and take what we learn to heart so we may emulate the word of God in our lives. So read.