I’ve returned to writing as drawing and drawing as writing. I started with the word change and then as it was January 1st, thought of the New Year’s resolution, and its hopeful attempt at yearly change. I let the ballpoint pen have its way with the paper, the words and the images.
I have worked with artist/educators and art students for over 30 years and change seems even more difficult for us creative folk. So many of us have wrapped ourselves in the skin of our work and changing those spots is not easy. We love to put posters on walls lauding the ‘idea of change’, but actually seeing the world from a new perspective or accepting different beliefs…
But I refuse to let these words hold me back. I love the New Year and the possibility of change and renewal. I find that when someone says I can’t do something I’m even more motivated to do it. Martin Gurri’s description of resolutions as ‘sad tokens of human failure’ did not discourage me. Maybe we can’t change our spots but we can join the dots and make a new picture. So do whatever you must, stop drinking for January, leave your fingernails unbitten, learn to dance, or read write and draw something.
