KF wrote: "I really enjoyed the read...I'm one of the folks who is always afraid to try out something like putting a line on a blank sheet of paper in the hope of it turning out as 'art'. :)"
Well, KF, you're not alone! And this is the main reason for this blog. It seems as though there are many people who, for one reason or another, have it in their minds that making some sort of mark is a terrifying experience. Perhaps it's simply reverence for that clean sheet in front of you as if your next move will cancel out that perfect state of cleanliness. Perhaps you've been told it takes enormous amounts of talent to create something. Perhaps you imagine that once you get started you'll have to invest a lot of time and money, neither of which you have right now. Perhaps you're afraid that you're going to "do it wrong". Does any of this sound familiar to anyone?
I would guess though, that there are many people out there who would say, go for it! Try it! What's the worst that can happen? You don't have to invest a lot of money, in fact there are many student versions of materials that are inexpensive, yet of decent quality. Yes, some things take time (and space), but many things can be stopped and started to suit your schedule. Okay, there are some rules, most involve how to handle a tool so that it does what you want it to without you getting get hurt, but for the most part, if you're talking about style and even technique, there's no "wrong" way to create art. And if anyone ever tells you you have no talent, ignore them. Just keep going.
Now, to the issue of Art (with a capitol "A'). This is a BIG topic and I won't ask the "What-is-art" question, because that's still being debated in universities, galleries, museums and households all over the world. Instead, I will ask, What is art to you? If you're in a museum, what object begs you to stop and look? What do you enjoy viewing? What do you collect? What makes you wonder about how it's made or what it may mean? What does it mean to you? If you can start to put that together, then when you begin a project, you only have yourself to please. And that's what this is all about.
