One day I wanted to run away from my life, just get in a fast car, and keep driving. I think we’ve all felt that way at one time or another.
My choice of car was the 1968 Ford Mustang – maybe because my father had one. He loved his Stang until it was stolen piece by piece. First the ornate wheel coverings (hubcaps), then the “running Mustang” emblems, and eventually, the car.
I planned to drive as far as I could with the wind at my back and in my hair.
Well, since I couldn’t really do it, I drew it! And, like usual, one thing led to another.
First, I drew the car, with references, of course. It was challenging, but it took my mind off everything. Then, I put myself in the driver’s seat! I hadn’t planned that. If you look closely, there’s a hat flying off my head – New York City is in the rear view mirror, sort of.
Route 66 came to mind. I could cross the country to California.
Of course Rt. 66 no longer existed the same way it used to; it was decommissioned in the 1980s, but this was my fantasy, right?
Out of nowhere, a Mustang galloped alongside my car to race me! It was as though the missing ornament returned. I drew in the RT 66 signs, and lastly, an Eagle holding a racing flag.
Sometimes, when you don’t know what to draw, and you’re having a bad day, try drawing your getaway plan. You’ll feel much better!
Whenever I tell someone I’m an artist, nine times out of ten, they say, “I can’t draw a stick figure.” (And that’s when someone takes an interest.)
I used to reply, oh, anyone can learn to draw with the right teachers, patience, and practice. I’d add, that’s how I learned and still do. But their brains didn’t seem to compute a word of what I said.
The same thing happened again recently. I said, I’m an artist and the person replied, I can’t draw a stick figure.
I wanted to scream “I can’t draw a stick figure” is not only cliché, it’s boring! Comparing art to a stick figure doesn’t sound cutesy anymore, if it ever did.
Minall: Seriously? Were you stressedat the time?
Me: Well, my faithful friend, Minall, I had just finished a painting and was raw from the emotions of grief and sorrow that it depicted.
Minall: I can see how the stick figure comment was bad timing.
Me: It was and I had worked on the painting for at least two weeks. Why is it in the 21st century people are still thinking about art in terms of drawing a stick figure? Why don’t they say, I can’t draw an emoji? It would be a step-up because emojis express a lot more feelings and thoughts.
Now I’ve been told that I’m making too much of it in a
Moonstruck kind of way.
Minall: The movie?
Me: Yes, with Cher and Nicolas Cage. Remember? Snap out of it! SLAP – like that. Minall: Oh yeah, never saw it.
Me: And someone else said, calm down, it’s meant to be a compliment.
Minall: Really? Sounds like it’s about them.
Me: A better compliment would be to engage in a conversation. Ask me a question. Like, What kind of art do you do?
Minall: That’s not unreasonable.
Me: Another friend said, Tell the ancient Egyptians that stick figures aren’t relevant.
Minall: Wow, she sure told you.
Me: Yes, she usually does. But like others, she missed my point. Someone else chimed in suggesting the comment was a great opportunity to offer a beginner art class.
Minall: That’s some poll.
Me: I know, Right? Is it really my responsibility to teach a class!
Minall: Breathe, breathe!
Me: Okay, maybe Ancient Egyptian Stick Figures 101.
Ugh, what am I saying!? Even if I proposed teaching How to draw a Stick Figure they’d look at me like I had two heads because they don’t take what they’re saying seriously, or me as an artist, and that’s the point. Not taking me as an artist (or art) seriously.
Minall: Can a stick figure have two heads?
Me: Okay, let’s say I’m blowing all this out of proportion.
Minall: Like when you try to draw hands?
Me: Hey, I read Rembrandt had trouble drawing hands and would hide or blur them out.
Anyway, the stick figure remark never bothered me before. I’ve always enthusiastically encouraged others to see the potential in themselves, you know, the possibilities? But that day I got angry.
Minall: Don’t be so hard on yourself. We all have weird moments like…feeling anger. At least you held it in.
Me: That’s what I was taught to do.
Minall: Good girl.
Me: But whether I’m “right” or “wrong,” there’s got to be a middle ground. Why can’t people expand their thinking?
Minall: Like, seek out
new worlds, new civilizations …boldly go where no [man], one has gone before?”
Me: Yes, I love the Star Trek series. (All of the spin-offs too.)
Minall: If you were to go to a Star Trek convention, which character would you be?
Me: Great question. See!? That’s what I’m talking about. Engage.
Minall: Captain Jean Luke Picard, then?Engage!
Me: Love Patrick Stewart, but think I’d be Captain Janeway, (Kate Mulgrew.) She took ridiculous risks, like I’m doing now.
Minall: It’s the only way to grow. Plus, it makes life more interesting.
Me: But why can’t stick-figure-challenged-people engage in more thoughtful dialogue?
Minall: Why? why?Why you scratch couch. Sorry, I was talking to the cat.
Me: And another thing, would someone say the stick figure remark to a male artist? Tick Tok, Tick Tok. Come on now, you know what I’m talking about, right?
Minall: Oh sorry, I spaced out. Of course men and male artists are treatedmore seriously.
Me: Do you think I’m making too much of everything?
Minall: You betcha.
Me: Well, if it’s one thing I learned it’s, if I want to see something change, I would have to be the change.
Minall: Ghandi?
Me: Yes. Great man.
Minall: There are some, yes.
Me: Blaming others for our unhappiness never works. It’s on us to change.
Minall: Speak for yourself.
Me: So let’s see, how I/we can help others understand the importance of art – individually and collectively?
Minall: Ugh, here we go.
Me: Art is a powerful form of expression that is meaningful to individuals, their emotions, experiences, and ideas.
Minall: Good luck with that.
Me: What?
Minall: I didn’t say anything. Me: That we create art not just for ourselves, but for others to see a sense of wonder and awe in the world.
Minall: Love it.
Me: Art is a form of alchemy. Minall: Magic?
Me: Not exactly, but close.
Creativity helps transform self-defeating, negative emotions and ideas into positive ones, helps relieve anxiety, and those suffering with PTSD heal.
Minall: Wow, that’s a lot.
Me: But wait, there’s more.
Minall: Bring it.
Me: We create for social change, to raise awareness, and to advocate for human, planetary, and animal rights. Art is transcendent!
Minall: So? What are you gonna do?
Me: So, when some people (especially in suburbia) say they can’t draw a stick figure, I will answer differently,
like:
I’m glad you can’t draw a stick figure because there’s so much more to art than drawing and drawing a stick figure.
Minall: Uhm, that may be a little too hostile.
Me: Okay, how about:
I enjoy creating art that expresses the beauty, joy, and hope in life. Better?
Minall: Much. But I don’t think joy and hope is in vogue.
Me: Don’t remind me. Anyway, those responses ought to put the stick figure remark out of its misery, and me too!
Minall: Hope on.
Special thanks to Minall, my alter ego who is also a minimalist.
