Art Tip #1

I'm human.  I love compliments. :)

"You are talented!" 
"You are an amazing artist.  I wish I could do this." 
 "That is so neat!  If only I could draw."

But, I always feel mildly sad when I hear these phrases too.  Somehow, I feel like artists are placed up on pedestals.  I don't like pedestals.  I want others to feel like they can be great at art too.  I want to jump up and exclaim, "You can be an artist with me!  You can do this!"  

I was a normal kid.  I started off drawing big-headed, goofy-looking stick figures. 

I loved coloring in my My Little Pony coloring books.  I got in trouble for scribbling on walls.  

I do clearly remember, though, the day my 7 year-old-self "decided" to pursue art.

It was a bright, sunny day.  My mom, who had gone to art school, kept her college portfolio hidden under her bed.  I knew this, so I snuck into my parents room, sat indian style on their floor, reached underneath the bed, and dusted off that giant old portfolio.  I thumbed through all of her drawing and sketches, and I sat in awe.  

With a dusty sketchbook in my lap and sunlight pouring down on me, I remember thinking,  

"This is amazing.  I want to do this too.  I know I can do this...  I'm going to be an artist."  

And that's my first "tip" here on my blog: 

I humbly offer it to you, realizing that I still have so much yet to learn myself.

Know that you will probably stink in the very beginning, no matter what you pursue.  :)  Everybody does to some extent.

Believe that you can.  Keep going!