make a mark
April 26, 2011
When I was a kid, I really loved to draw. I wasn’t the best artist in my class, but I loved it. It was my hobby. I would carry my sketches around in my back pack. One day a substitute teacher laughed at one of my drawings. It crushed me. It made me not want to draw anymore. So, I didn’t … for almost 15 years. I wish I had read this book when I was child. Whenever I read this book, it warms my heart. It’s like it was written for the little girl in me.
(photos by Ann Kelle)
posted by kelle at 9:04 am
(8) Comments
Isn’t it amazing how much damage one off-hand remark or gesture can do? I actually lectured about this in an education class. I talked about how teachers have the power to kill someone’s dreams with the smallest of remarks so they should always take care in their words.
I gave everyone the lyrics to the Harry Chapin song “Flowers are Red”. Children should always be encouraged to create even if they aren’t the next Rembrandt. Who cares?
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/harry-chapin/flowers-are-red.html
This is indeed a wonderful book!
I am always saddened by the number of folks I encounter whose response to the thought of drawing, or even the word “creativity”, is one of panic.
Usually the reaction is rooted in an experience similar to yours.
Thanks to all of the “encouragers” out there who urge us to just make a mark and see where it takes us!
I don’t think adults realize how much power they hold over children- just one un-encouraging remark can have so much impact. So glad you started drawing again!
What a wonderful book!
Another great one is “Eugene, Why Don’t You Paint?” It’s hard to find but such a sweet story of unconditional love.
I am going to check this book out – thanks for sharing! And I am glad you started drawing again – you do amazing work (love it!).
It’s funny, some schoolmates and I had a horrible art teacher in high school, and we all managed to be creative as adults, in spite of her constant criticisms of our work back then!
Some people can be so insensitive some times and don’t realize the impact of a careless comment or action.
I quit art for a whole bunch of years too after my AP studio teacher my senior year of high school tossed a painting of mine on the ground and did this little leprechaun dance on it to prove his point about how awful it was… I was done, decided on a new major for college. Silly me for letting him direct the course of something I loved… I’ll have to check this book out!
Oh, Elizabeth! That is unreal. I’m so sorry that happened to you.