I just saw this image and was reminded of something I wanted to blog about almost 2 years ago – "everyone can draw"

If you ask a child if they can draw they will likely say ‘yes’ and grin. They will also likely go draw you something and expect you to see what it is and also how beautiful and wonderful it is. For them the question is likely almost strange – "of course, silly!" is also a plausible response.

And yet I’ve seen times when adults say they can’t. For instance, I was at a community dialogue focused on new strategies in Canton, Ohio last year which included young people too. As part of the process we created visuals (graphic recording) of the dialogue as it went on. And we thought to get everyone in the process from the moment they walked into the room, we would have them sign their names and make a little picture next to it on a big poster on the wall. The young people did it without thinking – like squiggles and shapes and images unique to themselves. However, many adults who came into the room responded with ‘but I couldn’t possible draw anything"… 

Too often I find we, as adults, say we can’t do things – draw, sing, dance, write, tell stories…and yet.

And yet. I wonder how much of that is tied up to not being the best over and above the enjoyment of the thing…our fear or challenge on making a mistake, creating something that doesn’t look good or right or so forth?

I guess I am just over the idea that drawing and doing ‘arty’ or ‘creative’ things is limited to one part of the population.

Art is in all of us!

Just like running is in all of us (though I agree in the beginning it sucks if you are like me and your body doesn’t seem to take to it naturally ;).

The point is it can be done, and even fun, with practice – and without. There is something quite delicious about doing something just because – and not being the best or even having to think you have to!

So yes, everyone CAN definaltey draw.

Maybe this is my (vaguely Americana way) of asking: is there anything you say you can’t do that maybe, just maybe, you can? Why not try and see…

Oh course for those of you who need to hear it a different way – Come on, even dolphins can draw!

And here is an unrelated but quote that may make you smile while you think about the idea ‘everyone can draw’ – if at first you don’t suceed – then skydiving is not for you.

Happy art-ing!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 at 9:28 pm and is filed under action, creativity, fun, musings, questions, quotes, think. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.