Many people around the world make new years resolutions but how many actually keep them? A very small percentage I'm sure; I won't bore you with a bunch of statistics but if you speak with your friends & family who make resolutions, you are apt to see exactly how many keep their resolutions and how many break them within a matter of weeks or months. I'm going to help you come up with a great New Years Resolution you will actually WANT TO KEEP & that is making a resolution to get involved in some way in an artistic endeavor in the new year!
Let's face it, many people are stuck day to day sitting behind a desk, working in stores, and other places they'd really rather not be at because they need to pay the bills. They have responsibilities and I'm not saying that's a bad thing at all; being responsible is very important but many of these jobs also don't let your creativity come out in any way, shape or fashion or at least in minimal amounts. I know this because before I began my business I also was in this sort of position. Naturally, running a business also involves sitting behind a desk but at least most of my business involves letting the creative side show and express itself. How many of you when you were children loved to finger paint, draw or water color? How many of you enjoyed building things with blocks or going to the beach and building a sand castle? I see you raising your hands don't be shy!
As you got older, these sorts of things began to fade from your life little by little didn't they? Slowly you began to draw less, you began to paint fewer pictures and the trips to the beach involved suntanning rather than building a sandcastle. Unfortunately, these sorts of things happen all too often to many of us as we grow up and in the process we lose a part of ourselves, the part that loves to create, to express yourself, to let your ideas flow freely in whatever creative endeavor you chose to express yourself. This happens all too often yes but it's not something you have to live with for the rest of your life; you can choose to change your habits and these changes can start right now!
What do I mean by "artistic endeavor"? Do I mean that you should go to the local art store and purchase hundreds of dollars worth of brushes, paints, palettes, canvases & so on? Do I mean you should spend a ton of money on a fancy camera so you can become a famous photographer? Do I mean you should take an acting course at a local college and get involved in the theatre? You'll be surprised that the answer is "Yes!"- That is if that is what you wish to do then go for it, I wouldn't discourage you from following your dream. But you can also start with something as simple as a plain sheet of paper, a pencil and a subject and start sketching whatever comes into your mind or whatever is in front of you. You can also start by taking the camera you already probably have, no matter how fancy or simple and start shooting things that matter to you like your garden, or perhaps your family & friends or why not go for a hike and take a few photos of your natural surroundings(yes there is a life outside the house lol). Do you enjoy singing? Why not grab a tape recorder or if you have it, a digital recorder or camcorder and set it up to tape yourself singing your favorite songs. Why not grab a few friends and make it a project and form your own band! Again, does this mean you have to go out and buy a bunch of fancy instruments? Only if you wish to do so; otherwise, why not just get the music for the background to whatever you want to sing and then you and your friends provide the singing?
As you've seen from a few of my suggestions, you don't have to get a bunch of fancy and expensive items to get involved in an artistic pursuit of any sort; all you need is an idea, inspiration & the passion to go through with it. It doesn't mean that if you make a recording of yourself singing that you need to submit it to a recording studio or show it to a bunch of people; it also doesn't mean that you need to sign up for expensive lessons to learn how to play a musical instrument or lessons for art. All of these things will make you much better at whatever you're trying to do but they're always something that is up to you to pursue. Art of any sort, whether it's music, painting, drawing, photography or any of the other myriad forms of art that are out there doesn't have to be perfect as long as you're enjoying yourself.
In closing, resolve to make at least one new years resolution that you'll actually want to keep and make art a part of your new year and all the years after. Don't let your creativity fade simply because your job doesn't allow you to show your creativity. Take a half hour to start, each day or if you're so busy you can barely find any time, start with half an hour a week to devote to something creative and then gradually expand that time and you'll find yourself being a much happier & fulfilled person!
Author: Mike "Birdman" Sexton
Visit http://www.birdmansart.com for all your paintings, art gifts & design needs
Copyright -2010
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