I hemmed and I hawed, then I did it!

By chance, while at a local library, I saw an opportunity to join a meet-up to practice a skill that is still rather new to me. The piece of the opportunity that gave me pause was that it was practicing in public and sharing what I created…

I love:

• my work with bikablo —teaching visualization skills
• graphic recording, both on paper with markers and digitally
• and how I’ve developed my own style that is “bikablo-esque”

I’ve also experimented with a couple of other styles of drawing. I’m a huge fan of Nishant Jain, the Sneaky Artist. I have followed his work and took a workshop with him right underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, which was awesome. I also like the idea of Urban Sketching, but it feels so different to me—more detailed, and with a greater need for accuracy. I’ve taken classes with a few different U/S teachers and enjoyed them, yet I do not feel confident when I’m trying to step into that style. So the idea of going to a meet-up on a Tuesday afternoon with working projects looming, with people I don’t know, to learn how they run their group, do some drawing (with others?), and then share it, felt really big. 

As it turned out, it was a very low-key event, and I had a great time! I thought we might walk around together or find a place to be, but it was every person for themselves. So I went to my favorite coffee shop in Nyack, grabbed a cup of coffee, set out my goodies, and worked to emulate a style I had learned several months ago. It was fun and challenging. The women I ended up drawing noticed after a while that I had been drawing them and came over to take a peek. They were thrilled and took pictures, with one woman making it her screensaver. I think it was her birthday. I then walked back to the meeting place/the public library and found a seat on the top floor with a gorgeous view of fascinating and colorful trees, the Tappan Zee Bridge in the distance and a few buildings. I drew a tree just outside the window quickly as there was only a little time left before we were to meet again. 

The café is named, The Runcible Spoon. The writing is backward because that’s how I saw it from inside.

We had the opportunity to share, not to comment or critique our own work. It was interesting to listen to people talk about their drawings and their efforts. There was a lot of self-denigration. I felt surprised and sad about that—it is so counter to the way I work with people. While I always know I can do better, I don’t talk about myself in those ways—it doesn’t inspire me to do better next time. Honestly, I think I felt worse about people’s criticism of their own work than they did. I guess they are accustomed to it. Happily, we left on a friendly and upbeat note. I  plan to go back next month!

I have to say, I am really happy I went. I’m going to exhibit a few pieces in the upcoming show of the Nyack Urban Sketchers work at the library. I’m excited!

What about you? Where do you hesitate? How do you work with your doubt? What (or who) supports you in taking a step into the unknown?

I admit it—I am an adventure lover! I believe that my desire to try something new was the push I needed to move past my discomfort. I am so glad I did!

I’d love to hear your stories.