So it might not come as a huge surprise, but I watch an inordinate amount of children’s television.
My son’s favourite show right now is Super Why!, a show about finding the answers to life’s problems by reading. He’s quickly learning his letters and their sounds, and likes to identify all the characters as they appear on screen. I like that it occupies him long enough for me to finish my morning coffee in relative peace.
L to R: Alpha Pig, Wonder Red, Super Why, and Princess Presto.
This morning’s story followed the main character, Whyatt, as he wanted to draw a comic book for his sick brother. Whyatt, however, didn’t know what to draw. As any artist can attest, that’s a “super big problem”.
By reading the (watered-down) version of the Japanese folk tale “The Boy Who Drew Cats”, Whyatt and his friends the Super Readers learn the Super Story Answer: DOODLE.
I’ll admit it: I’ve been in an artistic slump. I don’t know if it’s because I’m busy doing other things, or if I’m uninspired, but I’ve barely set foot into the studio over the past couple of weeks. Maybe I’m becoming too precious with my work, and I’m hesitant to add any new paint to a painting. In any case, there really is only one solution to my problem: DOODLE.
Shockingly, I’m an artist who doesn’t keep a sketchbook. I’ve tried in the past, but I’ve always found myself either becoming too invested in a drawing and afraid of ruining it (and the sketchbook), or too critical of myself and hating everything I put down on paper.
But it’s come to the point where I don’t even know how to doodle anymore. I picked up a sketchbook for the first time in awhile last week, intent on getting something out, and drew a blank (no pun intended). It’s frustrating, and I find myself increasingly jealous of the abilities of others. I recently found a blog by a local Edmonton artist Justina Smith, and fell in love with her travel sketches. She is very well practiced, as she doodles and draws at every opportunity. Her motto: Draw Everything.
That’s exactly what I need to do.
Stop being precious. Stop being overly critical. DOODLE.
My feelings exactly, Mr. Cloud.