I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I remember sitting for hours with just a pencil and a blank sheet of white paper thinking about the possibility of what I could draw next. I have always found great comfort in the sound the pencil makes when I shade in something or draw a line. I think it is one of my most favorite sounds.
However, I really enjoy sitting alone, crafting something that makes me happy. I pick up a pencil and start to draw, it is like I lose myself in a different place. I concentrate on my artwork and focus on shapes, lines and shades. The whole world passes by and when I am done, I look up and now have something to share with my loved ones and friends.
When I was a teenager, I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I was told that I could go to a school called Danforth Techincal to learn how to draw. I took a school tour and was impressed that the artwork that was on display, and really love the presentation on how ART was important to the school. I was really looking forward to learning everything, I could from the art teachers.
I never expected to make money doing art. I really had no idea what or where my skills would take me. At the time, I just wanted to make friends and be a school that I could learn things. My self-esteem was really low at that time, and I was very shy. I quickly made friends and grew to be confident in myself. I was so hopeful, in high school, I wanted to learn as much as possible. However, my passion for art was taken away from me when a teacher told me that I used erasers to much and that I would never be a true artist. What I did learn was that only I appreciated my drawings and would only draw for my own pleasure from then on. It became a hidden joy. I hardly talked about it or openly pursued it anymore.
I never really stopped although, I did get distracted by getting married and having children. I stopped making time for it and concentrated on my growing children and marriage. I did draw occasionally, with my children to teach them to colour and to do art with them. I didn’t do it enough, it was put aside for other things for quite a while.
It wasn’t until my marriage fell apart and I found myself, at a loss of things to do with my time that I decided to get back into my art. After some really hard knocks and failed relationships. I decided to go to community art groups for healing and to start anew. You would be amazed at how many wonderful art communities there are in Toronto. I found myself drawing again, and making more friends and learning to love myself again.
I only came out of the closet with the artwork when I joined Facebook (2009?) many years ago. When my sister Naomi suggested that I post some of my drawings to my wall. I got some really warm reactions to it. Since then, I have taken guilty pleasure in sharing my private world with my friends and family on the internet.
These days, because I am not working or going back to work anytime soon. I decided that instead of playing so many video games, I would practice more on my art and be more creative in this new year. I love to draw, and even more, I love to learn new things. I have been meeting new people on the internet both online and offline. I am growing and learning. I even this year started playing with digital painting, with my Wacom tablet and Photoshop.
I this goldfish digital painting, but I more so love drawing with a pencil. Old loves for me never change. Then there is more watercolour artwork to do. My lastest as of this post in the angel, in my cover image. So much art so much time to do it.
Well off to draw something, or do something as I promised. Keep ya posted.
Twitter : MiaDevlin69 & Instagram : MiaDevlin69
