Portrait in Pencil and Thanks

Being the person I am, the portrait I posted the other day, although adequate, was a first portrait and I wasn’t sastisfied with the end result. In the process of doing that portrait I discovered I enjoy doing portraits, but I need practice. I also discovered just how easily colored pencil can smear on cotton when you heat set it.

So, the same niece, from the same picture. This time with a little more caution to features and done in pencil. I’m much happier with this one.

We had a guest artist in class on Monday. He’s been an artist all his life and taught for many years. Currently at the gallery he is affiliated with, they offer 20 minute portraits to visitors. One statement he said caught me, that in doing portraits, approximately 3 out of 5 of his actually look like the person. I appreciated hearing that and it spurred the thought that just like in my quilting, PPP (practice, practice, practice) is what is needed to achieve mastery.

Isn’t that true for most skills?

Today, while I cook dinner, Mike and I will be matting the two drawings I have chosen to show at the end of class showing in the school library. Looking back over every assignment I have done this semester, and the assignments done last semester with no drawing instruction, I can see progress. I can say I am no longer intimidated by what prior generations in my family were capable of doing, but rather pleased and challenged to attempt to work to their level.

I am comforted these days with the knowledge that Dad would be proud of me, and that the gift of Gramdma’s art supplies when Mom and Dad sold the farm was his way of telling me to go for it, that he had faith in me. So today, I am thankful for not only everything I have in this life now, (wonderful healthy family, joyful friends, my home and the ability to follow my dreams) but also for those who came before me and led the way for me to become the person I am.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.