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Monday, September 16, 2013

Frog's Story & Self Reliance

Are you enjoying your lives confidently and have you ever thought of self reliance? I was invited to a life drawing class member's group exhibition! At the opening, an executive lady gave this speech and inspired us. The frog's story implies the importance of "self-reliance." I'd like to share it with you.



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Frog's Story
There once were little frogs who arranged a climbing competition. The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.
A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheered on the contestants. The race began. None of the crowd really believed the frogs would reach the top of the tower.
The crowd yelled, 'Oh, too difficult', 'They will never make it to the top', 'Not a chance they 'will succeed', and 'The tower is too high'.
The frogs began collapsing one by one. The crowd continued to yell, 'It is too hard! No one will make it!' More tiny frogs gave up and came off from the tower.

But one tiny frog, after a big effort, became the only one who reached the top! All other frogs wanted to know how the winning frog had found the strength to succeed and reached the goal. They asked the frog questions.  


He was deaf!!
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Friends, did you enjoy the story? What do you feel about it?
In that story, the winner is the frog who did not care about a pessimistic say. In my personal view, the disability has turned out a blessing! That's what the lady and I chatted over. Without my difficulty in a leg, I might not have become an artist. Indeed, I know a hearing impaired, very famous and successful illustrator in Australia! Yey!!  

Also, the contrast is impressive between a self-reliant frog and a third party's negative and untrustworthy say. The mob's say is far different away from a healthy critiques, because their say is irresponsible.

For artists, critiques are inevitable in society. Our work has two contradicted natures in one -- very private work, yet that has publicity. In other words, an artist's work is an isolated job in a group work. Thus, art work is connected to others and to society. I'm open to any feedback, while keeping my own stance.




So, this is my another finding from that story. In my view, a balance is necessary between a healthy self-reliance and a genuine confidence, in order to achieve a goal. Otherwise, overconfidence and cowardice are counterproductive. Particularly, I feel an objective view is vital to look at my own work in a group work like a picture book project.
I also feel a person who has real confidence will not easily either get upset with other people's critics. A person with a real confidence well knows what she is. Be flexible and not stubborn in a healthy manner.

Regarding life drawing class, I'm blessed that I could meet very nice models. Especially, the woman and the man in this post are my favorites. Yes, Friends, I finished up the first "portrait" on A2 Arche based on the rough sketch on A2. 


I simply love life drawing. It lifts me up and excites me, when I'm down in other work.

These life drawings (A2) and daily sketches(A4) certainly improve my drawing skills. These days, I can "correct" my drawing with colour in sketches. Yes, I can see value/colour very well!
Art always brings me a new nice friend. The exhibition manager, very caring and thoughtful lady and I will soon get together for coffee. We enjoyed a chat over psychology. She passionately talked about her support for local artists at a grass root level. Me, too, have enthusiasm and happily encourage my colleagues or local artists. Lovely!  
Friends, let us gain genuine confidence and keep growing day by day.
Happy Painting!!



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20 comments:

  1. Fantástico post y fantásticos tus dibujos, Sadami.
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Gracias, Onera! ¡ Eres tan dulce y alentador! Conservaré para arriba!!
      Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Thank you, Onera! You're so sweet and encouraging! I'll keep up!!
      Best wishes, Sadami

      >>>Onera said...
      Fantastic post fantastic and your drawings, Sadami.
      A hug.

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  2. Oh Sadami, qué historia tan hermosa y tierna. Tú eres esa ranita!! Sí, sí. Te veo subir hasta lo alto de la torre. Llegarás!
    Me gustan mucho tus dibujos pero hay uno que me ha impactado sobre los demás: El de la mujer sentada agarrándose a la pierna. Es preciosa!!
    Un abrazo.

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    1. Oh, Joshemari, eres tan hermosa, dulce y alentadores!! Bueno, esperemos que llegará a mi sueño. Muy feliz saber que como la mujer sentada. Me impresionó su estado de ánimo y he trabajado en el "retrato", no simplemente para una vida de dibujo.
      Un abrazo, mis mejores deseos y sonrisa, Sadami

      Oh, Joshemari, you're so beautiful, sweet and encouraging!! Well, hopefully, I will reach my dream. Very happy to know you like the seated woman. Her mood impressed me and I've worked on the "portrait," not simply for a life drawing.
      A hug, best wishes and smile, Sadami

      >>>Joshemari said...
      Oh Sadami, what a story so beautiful and tender. You're that frog! Yes, Yes. I see you climb to the top of the tower. You'll get!
      I like your drawings a lot but there is one that has impacted me on others: of seated woman holding onto to the leg. It's beautiful!
      A hug.

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  3. Hola Sadami. Preciosos los dibujos eres estupenda dibujando del natural!

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    1. ¡ Oh, dulce y cariñosa Tina, gracias! Sí, me encanta dibujar más de la vida!!
      Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Oh, sweet and caring Tina, thank you! Yes, I love drawing from life most!!
      Best wishes, Sadami

      >>>Tina said...
      Hello Sadami. Precious drawings are a great drawing from life!

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  4. I really like the frog story as well as all your life drawings.

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    1. Thank u, sweet Carol for your warm cheers. You, too, enjoy life fully!! Best wishes, Sadami

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  5. Fantastic post Sadami! Love the story and the impact on your life. Being an artist is happiness for you and for your viewers.
    Hugs

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    1. Oh, sweet Teri, thank u so much! Yes, being an aritst is my joy and I know you, too! Enjoy your life and drawing fully!!
      Hugs and kind regards, Sadami

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  6. Thank you for sharing this lovely encouraging story. You are right, one must know one's own abilities and not rely too much on what others say. While un-founded overconfidence is not good too, unfortunately it is more likely to lead to success, than self-doubt is.
    Your sketches are fabulous, like always!

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    1. Thank u, Blaga! I studied a lot about "self," particularly, counselling psychology at uni, as I wanted to know/understand myself. Above, in my writing, overconfidence means a person pretending "I can do everything" = pretending someone else/distorted self image. So, sooner or later, a distorted self image holder gets stranded in life and society. In my view, distorted self image holders are not successful at all. Self-doubt in your writing is a sad situation that underestimates her abilities/who she is = leads to self harm in a worst case.
      So, I always want to be what I am fully, no more or less than myself -- that's my secret why I'm always happy and can produce humane figure drawings. This paradox is true. Once, a person realises who she is, she blooms out "who she will be able to" fully and beautifully. She accepts "who I am" and others, too. The key is self-realisation and to activate who I am. If you like, try "Karen Horney," "Carl Rogers," and "Abraham Maslow." Online digested information is not appropriate to know them. Just pick up one book and read it slowly and enjoy it. They have enlightened me so much. (*I read through all their writings.)Sorry, unsolicited advice or I said too much. Pardon me.
      Best wishes, kind regards, Sadami

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  7. Wonderful story - and so true! We let others' opinions change us. Listen to the little ones inside who say we can :) Beautiful paintings, too!

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    1. Oh, Rhonda, thank u and I really love who you are!!!
      Cheers, Sadami

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  8. The frog story is so true, Sadami, thank you so much. I'm trying to listen more and more to my inner voice about what I like in painting and what I want. Not always easy:) I love your top painting of the woman.

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    1. Thank u for Lovely Judy! Yes, to find who you are is not easy. But once you find it and can accept who you are, you will begin to change or bloom out so beautifully. Regarding the first work, me, too, like it! Interestingly, anyone likes that work, saying, "I feel I have a same feeling/experience like this woman..." Kind regards, Sadami

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  9. I love your life drawings. Thank you for sharing the story about the frog. Very encouraging. Keep painting, Sadami!!

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    1. Hi, Anna, thank u for warm cheers!! Best wishes, Sadami

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  10. Dear Sadami:) You just learnedme a wise lesson. Thank you for that. The frogs will make me remember this! To keep a proper balance is so important! I love the second sketch so much. I think this model is the best you can get as an artist. Hurray for him! Have a nice week Sadami:)xxx

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    1. Thank you, Renate. Very happy to know you enjoy my post and work. The interesting story, indeed. Regarding life drawing, yes, me, too, love that model! He's always very happy to see my drawings. I submitted some of life drawings(he was a sitter) to exhibitions. You, too, enjoy drawing. Best wishes, Sadami

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