Comments on: Fear of Drawing? Sculpture Anxiety? Creative Block?

By: Kemberlee

Kemberlee — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:45:38 +0000

I promised a friend I would make her a pair of giraffes, this was when it seemed like she was casually interested in them. Since then, her daughter had filled me in about how long her mom had wanted a set for her living room, and I have learned how giddy she is about it. Now, I have put pressure on myself that I need to make these giraffes perfectly, have the facial expressions JUST right, etc, etc, etc that I keep putting it off, simply due to pressure I have put on myself to make them my own version of perfection. Meanwhile, I’m sure she would be happy with whatever I came up with, but I can’t seem to stop replaying how I should make them and picturing them in my mind long enough to actually get started!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:44:21 +0000

that is true. i had the same problems throughout my school days. its hard, but i think the person recieving the advice really apreciates it.

By: Jonni

Jonni — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:42:37 +0000

Yes, I agree. I can remember way back when I was a child — I would make a drawing and be disappointed because it didn’t look right. But when I told an adult that it wasn’t quite right (hoping for some instruction that would help me improve it) they would always tell me it was just fine the way it was. I can still remember feeling just a little bit cheated, although they were trying so hard to be nice.

But on the other hand, sometimes a bright encouraging word is exactly what a person needs. The trick is to know how to give encouraging and positive feedback, while not holding back on the honesty. It’s a hard one -

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:28:09 +0000

i do enjoy paper mache vey much, it’s fun, but
when i finish writing something and i like it is such an achievment! i recently just finished a story for kids. At this time i don’t think it’s good, but than again since i got married i’ve learned that support is sometimes happens when someone gently pushes you forward. that reminds me… i have always thought that if people are too kind in their feedback then it leaves no room for the person to hone their skills.

By: Jonni

Jonni — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 02:12:29 +0000

I recently read a story about a woman who gave up painting because she always judged her own creations against the works of the great masters, and of course her own efforts always came up short. Then, many years later, she learned to make pottery, and she ended up making a living at it. She said she could enjoy the process without judging her pots against the work of master craftsmen, like she had always done with her paintings. When a bowl came out slightly crooked, she said “the popcorn won’t mind.” For some reason, I really liked that story. Maybe that’s the answer to our issues about internal judgments stopping us from doing something creative — we should create something that doesn’t really allow judgments. Like paper mache, for instance…

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:41:12 +0000

I feel like that alot. I believe it’s because I’m intimidated, like it’s not “good enough” I enjoy writing and doing various crafts but I’ve always wanted something that i wrote to evoke the feelings of readers everywhere.

AHHHHHH that was relieving

By: Liz

Liz — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:55:41 +0000

Thanks so much for the suggestion of Corn Huskers Lotion. I’ll have to try it. I googled it and when I saw the pic I had to laugh because of course I’d seen it before – its always there with the other lotions in random stores but I never really paid much attention to it beyond a passing glance. Who knew?! I’ll have to use it after gardening too – maybe it’ll even take the green off my fingernails from plucking suckers off my tomatoes.

Thanks a million.

By: Jonni

Jonni — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:52:36 +0000

Fantastic. Thanks for the suggestion. I think I’ll go buy some myself, for those gardening hands. (Our clay soil really dries out the skin).

By: Brooke

Brooke — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:28:35 +0000

There is a product called Corn Husker Lotion. It was originally made to help farmers and the like. I have found it works great to keep your hands from drying out no matter what you do. My Grandpa is a mechanic and has soft hands and I paint professionally and have very soft hands. Hope this helps!

By: Jonni

Jonni — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:11:47 +0000

Hi, Liz. I’m glad you’re getting inspired! You also have a very good question, and it’s one I can’t answer. I’m not big on self-sacrifice, myself, but this just isn’t a problem for me. I know a number of products are specifically designed to protect the hands of people working in certain industries, but I don’t know which ones would work for paper mache. The paper can be drying, and if you try the paper mache clay, you won’t want to get your hands in it because the calcium in the clay will also dry your hands.

I’ll put up a new post just to ask this question. There has to be someone who has the same problem, and has found a good solution for it. Check the main page of the blog for the post.