Illustration by Greg Vineyard
Part II: Is Everything in Order?
In September’s column about learning things along the way, I mentioned “staying in the flow of what we do” – and I warned there might be a Part II.
In addition to larger lessons, like learning you get more with honey than with vinegar, I’m continuing to learn humility with some typical not-so-graceful moments. Like when I forget that I can’t actually carry more than about ten books in a stack before the scene becomes me surrounded by ten strangers jumping in from the left and the right to pick things up off the floor for me. (A nice testament to how folks will kindly help a bumbling, middle-aged guy exhibiting a mild failing of common sense.)
Specifically related to my experiences in the visual arts, I have more musings to share, because as I write this I am in the midst of an intensive commercial illustration course. It’s fantastic. I’m terrified. It’s a wonderful, scary romp. And certain methodologies can help.
After adhering to the main principle of Just Participate (an early slogan Nike didn’t use – ha!), one of the main lessons in this for me is GET ORGANIZED. Have you heard the term “Mise en place” from the restaurant industry? Pronounced Meez Ohn Plahss, it means to have everything needed in its place, and it is a useful strategy in kitchens. One can employ it anywhere.
Primarily about efficiency, it also provides structure. Currently, all my tools and supplies are where I need them, in a consciously mapped-out order. Everything is at the ready, including the paper I prefer, already cut, and the pastels I want, all sorted by color (you may recall I recently resorted them: Rapid River, September 2015).
Speaking of structure, the next quite important issue is to HAVE SOME.
“How are you today?” “I am STRUCTURED within an INCH of my life, how are you?”
“I’m pretty sure I’m fine. And that I’ve had less coffee than you.”
I jest. Sort of. I am drawing early each morning, continuing with my notes and other online tools at lunch, catching up with the group’s social media on breaks and after work, doodling new ideas at the longer stoplights in town, and then drawing again each night. I am dreaming of colors and patterns and shapes. I am waking up having thought up new little characters and icons that dance on the pages.
If I don’t follow a calendarizational plan during this intensive course – the type that I’ve always dreamed of taking – I may as well have not signed up in the first place. So I’m structured down to the hour at the moment.
I have been drawing daily for years, so I was kind of ready, but it’s critical to participate on additional levels every day. I’m in week two of six weeks of an amazing experience, and I want to glean every bit of knowledge and experience offered.
My other lessons? Be true to what visually flows out of me and onto my Arches 140 lb. cotton rag paper. And to have fun!
How do I know I’m taking the right course? Because the teacher reminds us every day in many ways to do both of those things. It’s about authenticity. It’s about each of us being who we are, and finding personal bests doing something we love. And about sharing, and support, and so many other topics.
In the times I’m not able to sign up for a market-encompassing, skill-enhancing, global-member, peer review, delightful workshop, I still have all my usual ways that I find inspiration to keep moving forward as I pursue my passion. I always continue my learning curve, whether in school or not.
I’m not always sure if everything is indeed in order. Sometimes my Mise en place is really more like Me Is Bewildered And Needs A Break. But I always know I can take a moment, recharge, and try again. Because my other lesson along the way is HOPE.
Seeing how hope is varied, reachable, and always right where it should be, is one of the simplest lessons of all.
