I jumped into painting doing a one week workshop at the Victorian Society of Artists, alongside artists way, way more skilled than I. My work was appalling but I enjoyed using paint and brush. Because I enjoyed the process (way more than the results) I decided to go back to basics and enrolled in a drawing course with the Council of Adult Education (CAE). Working with pencils, learning more and still enjoying it. Then I went on a one week art holiday, for beginners, in Fiji with the delightful Kerry Lester (RIP). We worked with acrylic paints and had fun. Kerry was the first person to say to me “you should keep going” that was a great fillip and I have happily kept going.
I was lucky to discover The Art Room in Footscray, run by professional artist Erika Gofton. Erika encourages everyone to develop their own unique style and runs lots of classes all tutored by professional artists. I have done quite a few classes and workshops and always take away something new and valuable. One of the earliest workshops was with Merryn Trevethan an abstract artist, intent on challenging the way you look at an object / scene / whatever. At the end I said to Merryn “you will have to drag me kicking and screaming to abstract art.” Hmmm – remember that line.
If you think you might like art, pick up a pencil and just have fun, try drawing classes or maybe life drawing at a local studio. It doesn’t cost a fortune to start drawing. Drawing can be done with anything – textas, ink, pen, highlighters, charchoal, pastel, pencil and even paint – have fun with it.
From Fiji:
Artist: Wendy Tanner © Title: Ginger Flowers; Medium: Acrylic on canvas board
Wendy Tanner's Art 