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Monday, October 21, 2013

Be You. Be Proud of Being Different (2washes, figure sketches)

"Have your own colour(s)" is my motto (= build up your own style). The other day, I was invited to an anti racism symposium in City. On the way home, I popped up a friend artist's studio (sculptor) and enjoyed a chat. But another young artist standing outside looked not so happy. I talked to him. 
A young man does photography and drawing. He pretended to be ok in art work and said, "I made a half way through drawing months ago. I have to finish it." I gently smiled and responded, "No, not, I "have to," but I "WILL."" My say opened his heart. The young artist realised, "Oh, not obligation, but my own will. I will!" 

I also told, "Many people and children come talk to me, when I sketch outside. In my observation, after 6 yrs old, kids begin to compare themselves with others. They get hurt by other people, parents and care givers comments. Furthermore, children get a huge pressure to be perfect in this terribly competitive society. Then, they  stop drawing.
The artist carefully listened to me. His body language and face expression showed some reluctance and half trust in me. But he appeared to ponder about himself. 
Key Speaker


I continued, "No, that's not right (,kids stop drawing). Don't need to be perfect. Be you. Make tons of messes. Joy must come first." The artist beamed and began to repeat what I said like his digesting. Seeing is believing. I showed him my sketchbook. The sketchbook has many messes and nice sketches. "There's no magic. I keep sketching everyday. A few minutes is enough. Who can draw like Michelangelo from the beginning?" My say assisted the artist to find himself hurt, lacked confidence and stranded in the huge expectations from himself and others.The young man picked up the point from my say and summarised it in his own words, "Be nice to myself!" Yes!

To a big surprise, the artist suddenly took my hand and kissed twice like a noble knight! "I needed your say! I needed it! I'll make a mess! Lots of messes!! I'll do it," he claimed with full of joy. Brilliant. Oh, the young man looked so happy, which made me very happy, too.
The artist said with a beautiful smile, "See you! Next time, I'll show you my drawing!" Good!!!

I know, Friends, you might say, "Hey, Sadami, you write the similar stuff." But I often come across too many people suffering under heavy pressure in society.
So, I'd say,  "Be you and be proud of being different." We do not need to be someone else, but be ourselves.
Friends, Happy Painting! 












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32 comments:

  1. If I ever get depressed, I would go to you, Sadami. Your words were beautiful to this boy... and I LOVE all of these sketches!! Enjoy this lovely day!!!

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    1. Come over, Hilda! Actually, I studied counseling psychology at uni, too. It was/is really good to uderstand myself and accept others. Sadly, I meet too many lightly and seriously depressed people in society. I'll enjoy life drawing tonight. Cheers, Sadami

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  2. Oh Sadami, you did such wonderful thing for this artist! What a nice story. Beautiful washes and sketches, by the way.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. There's an artist's community supported by a council in a residential area. Sucecssful applicants get a space and demonstrate work. The sculptor, my friend is commercially the most successful artist in that program. Anyway, happy to know you enjoy my work. Washes are especially for the picture book project. I want to explore a mood, too. You, too, enjoy drawing! Cheers, Sadami

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  3. Sadami, que placer leer sus consejos, y más aún admirar sus pinturas, cada día pinta mejor!
    cariños

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    1. Gracias, Beatriz, vamos a disfrutar plenamente de dibujo y nos deja ser lo que somos totalmente!
      Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Thank you, Beatriz, Let's enjoy drawing fully and let us become who we are fully!
      Best wishes, Sadami

      >>>Beatriz said...
      Sadami, that pleasure to read your advice, and even admire your paintings, every day look better!
      love

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  4. "I'll make a mess. Lots of messes" .... I love that comment! Little children draw with such enthusiasm. We need to remember how to do that.

    A wonderful post, Sadami.

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    1. Yes, Elva, that's the way it is. Look at very young children. They are the centre of the world. When I draw together, always kids tell me, "Me, me, me! Look at my drawing!" with pride. In a healthy way, we need that enthusiasum. Don't listen to others in a good way and enjoy drawing, is important.
      Cheers, Sadami

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  5. Oh you must have felt soooo good when he kissed your hand in gratitude. Hope your words of encouragement trigger off his love of painting. And if he has even some of your inspiration, he will paint messes and not messes but oh what joy

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    1. Thank u, Polly. Well, his kisses surprised me so much! (before I could feel happy). But he was quite serious and he wanted to show his joy and special thanks. I once studied counseling psychology at uni. It was/is really good to uderstand myself and accept others. Yes, there are too many depressed people. Polly, let us enjoy our lives and drawing! And a little bit help for people stuck in mud.
      Cheers, Sadami

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  6. Wise words and wonderful paintings. Such a joy to read and view. much love xx

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    1. Thank u, Pat! My last painting has a similar colour to yours, "The Voyage Home."
      Cheers, Sadami

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  7. Wise words and encouragement - unfortunately, they need to be repeated again and again as one negative statement often undermines a child's, an artist's self worth :( Keep up your good work :) And I love the 'salt' on your washes !

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    1. Thank u, Meera. It's true that a value system and some adults keep stepping over sensitive children and adults. I hope we have to rethink about our value system. BTW, happy to know my salt work. I'm using it for the illustration work. Soon, I'll see Editor in person! You, too, enjoy drawing.
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  8. Nos vamos a hacer dependientes de Sadami psicologo que nos dá animos y nos invita a pasarlo bien y reirnos de nuestros errores. Pero, acaso no es necesario que un amigo nos invite a seguir?, no refuerza nuestra autoestima sus amables palabras?
    Me encantan tus bocetos y la aplicación de sal para añadir texturas te queda estupenda.
    Un abrazo

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    1. Ahahaha, gracias, Tina! Muy feliz de saber que disfrute mi post. Fue mi profesor de pscyhology quien me animó a ser artista y he cambiado a una dirección de un trabajador social. Entonces, yo tengo amigos en los trabajadores sociales y profesores (el curso tiene un curriculum muy similar). Mi propósito oculto de este blog es animar los corazones cansados y abogar por las personas desfavorecidas.
      Por cierto, el trabajo de la sal es divertido y lo usaré para mi ilustración del libro del cuadro permanente.
      Tenga cuidado y que tengan una semana maravillosa!! Mis mejores deseos, Sadami

      Ahahaha, thank you, Tina! Very happy to know you enjoy my post. It was my pscyhology lecturer who encouraged me to be an artist and I changed a direction from a social worker. So, I have friends in social workers and teachers (the course has a very similar carricurum). My hidden purpose of this blogging is to encourage weary hearts and advocate disadvantaged people.
      BTW, the salt work is fun and I will use it for my ongoing picture book illustration.
      Take care and have a wonderful week!! Best wishes, Sadami


      >>>Tina said...
      We're going to make dependent on Sadami psychologist us gives encouragement and invites us to have fun and laugh at our mistakes. Do so, it is not necessary that a friend invited us to follow?, not strengthens our self-esteem, your kind words?
      I love your sketches and application of salt to add textures looks great on you.
      A hug

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  9. Thank you Sadami, I needed to hear that, I'm putting too much pressure on myself to finish this painting. you are inspiring.. thanks so very much. love,Diana

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    1. Dear Diana, thank you! Very happy to know you enjoy my post. It was my pscyhology lecturer who encouraged me to be an artist and I changed a direction from a social worker. My hidden purpose of this blogging is to encourage weary hearts and advocate disadvantaged people.
      “My only regret in life is that I am not someone else." (Woody Allen)
      Take care and have a wonderful week!!
      Best wishes and wink, wink, Sadami

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  10. I love your paintings using the salt technique - so fresh and lovely!! I may have to add salt to my bag of tools as I continue to experiment and play with paint and paper :) And thanks for this post - you offer support to anyone in doubt and push them forward by telling them they are okay!!! How many times do we hear that?

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    1. Oh, sweet Rhonda, thank you! Yes, I'm playing with salt everyday. BTW, I'm seriously thinking... salt could be found at a fast food shopʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ, when sketch outside! Mutual help is beauty of our lives. I'm sure many people help me at the same time. Rhonda, YOU ARE ONE OF THEM!!!! You, too, enjoy this week.
      Cheers, Sadami

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  11. Dear Sadami - such wonderful words and great wisdom from a lovely artist. Your washes with the salt are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I will be stopping back soon.

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    1. Dear Debbie, thank you so much! I hope this blog will be a little oasis for anyone in a busy society. Your blog has lovely posts and photos. Your drawings are also very charming. Keep up your wonderful work and share your discovered beauty in a world. God bless you.
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  12. thank you for your posts Sadami always so sensitive. . I understand the reaction of this young man and I think he is not ready to forget you

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    1. Thank u, Isabelle. I hope this post will give a little oasis for visitors in a busy society. Well, hopefully, the young man and I enjoy a chat over drawings and coffee next time! Best wishes, Sadami

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  13. Beautiful post. Thank you for sharing because it was just what I needed to hear.
    -Virginia

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    1. Dear Virginia, very happy that you enjoyed the post. Please take care and be what you are fully! When you be you, you'll bloom out BEAUTIFULLY, without any doubt.
      Best wishes, Sadami

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  14. Dear Sadami:) A lovely story:) It reminded me right on this afternoon. I had made a small painting made in a whole different style than normal. Very loose with lots of water and various layers. I actually found that it had become quite nicely and had much enjoyed myself. I showed it to my husband and he said: it seems like it is painted by a child. As a result, I went and got it thrown away. Stupid huh? Before you know it you'll be influenced by others! In any case, I will think in the future to your words:)Your watercolors are stunning to look at. Well done! Hugs:) xx

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    1. Dear Renate, no, it's NEVER stupid. You got hurt by his say. A husband is a too close person to a wife, who could overlook a wife's new aspect. Let's celebrate your new challenge and your new finding of yourself. “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ― Pablo Picasso
      So, keep up new attempts, whilst keep your usual style (= a safe place to come back / evacuation in case of "being stranded" in a new style). As far as I know, each artist is sensitive and struggling in seek of who s/he is. Sure, so you are. Please take care.
      BTW, how is your health? I heartily hope you will get well steadily. Take your time. Thank you for leaving a comment in your tough time.
      Best wishes and hugs, Sadami

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    2. Dear Sadami:) I think it was a good learning experience! Thank you for your detailed and sweet message.xx

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    3. Thank you, Renate! ~(*o*)~ ♡○♡○♡○♡○° ·. •*• ♫° • ♫ ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ ·.•*•♫°•♫·.•ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ

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