Art Class

Two weeks ago I started a painting class at Lill Street Art Center. I absolutely love it. If you're wondering when I'm happiest during the week, it's Monday nights from 6:30-9:30. 

Our teacher said something I like: good painters are good observers. The role of the artist is to see everything. That's why I like making art so much - it's like this big test in your observational abilities. How does the hip line bulge? How does the light hit the jar's rim? After about 20 minutes of studying it, I stopped having to look at the still-life altogether, I'd memorized it.

Not to mention, I love how it FEELS to paint and draw. 

The class brings out a perfectionistic side of myself I really hate. I get really really angry when I'm not doing something well. It's especially bad with art and sports. On the other hand, taking the class also gives me the opportunity to get better at it. To practice letting go and focusing on enjoying the moment.

We learned to do a test run before we paint. This is my charcoal drawing up close. 

A few months ago, I visited the Chicago School of Professional Psychology to find out more about pursuing a degree in arts therapy. It turns out I'm too poor and too busy to get any sort of degree in this, but this is something I'd really like to do. There's something so healing about expressing yourself through art. You get out of your head, let things flow, and are actively living.