Poll Are You Artistic?

[lrs]

What a great thread, I've enjoyed this one.
If you are artistic, or even if your'e not, but you enjoy doing,I think you should do it.
Don't let anybody stop you from doing it. Don't worry if it's good or bad, just do what you are capable of. If you don't think it's any good, don't beat yourself up over it.
I have always been musically inclined, I have played piano, organ, trumpet, baritone, tuba, banjo, guitar, dobro guitar, proficiently.
I've tried other forms of art as well.
In college, I took oil painting, and sucked at it, at first. But I did learn enough to get by. If my life situation were different, I would still try my hand at oil painting.
Today, I'm already stretched out like an ironing board, as far time is concerned.

 

[lrs]

Oh yes, one more thing. I do have a weak spot for home made quilts.

 

[Cindy]

Grama Herc - you crack me up! Agoraphobic decorator ...

I love beading, jewelry making, and writing.

Irs if you won't make one I bet you could go to a quilt store and pick out a pattern, buy the materials, and find someone to make it for you right in the store. Just a thought.

 

[nightowl52]

I took sewing every year of high school & while I was in college. I actually made my own patterns & made suits, which is hard. Last year, 5 years after ptsd diagnosis) I tried to make an apron, read the pattern and wasn't able to do it. It was like I never did this, no memory at all. A few months ago while cleaning I found a pruse patern & everything I needed to do it & I did it! However, I became compulsive as now I had something to do when I couldn't sleep & I made 5 purses in 2 days without sleeping. I'm back to not making purses...I'm tired

 

[Roo]

Artistic? Yes. Expressive of it? Usually too shy / afraid / mortified at bringing attention to myself / stuck in a mind-state that says, "It's not good enough." I love to write, read, and think ideas through. I used to be a professional singer...I adored the singing but the "public" aspects of performance were difficult -- I felt fine on stage while singing, but clammed up between songs and always had my heart in my mouth when people clamoured after me with opinions and praise.

Writing is my major form of artistic expression...I am working on a memoir, a book on the I Ching, and a book of poems.

Part of my artistic "eye" is to look for the beautiful in every day...to remind myself of it. I think it was Tolstoy who wrote that "Beauty will save the world"...I added, "and the mind."

Great thread...thanks, Rachel!

 

[CaliSparrow]

Artistic for sure

Hi LinasMom,

Thank you for asking. There is hardly anything more pleasurable than talking about art. At least in my world. I've been a musician since age 8 when I started classical piano lessons. But I was spoiled to my gifts and would memorize sonatas 1 1/2 days before going to UIL, making the top score and driving my father mad at my lack of effort.

I also played the violin for 3 years (ages 10-12), and flute.(ages 13-15).

I studied voice for, ahem, several decades with a primary focus on opera. This is probably where the PTSD was the most disruptive. I had no problem with performances but auditions were nearly impossible, not-to-mention, there is a lot of traveling and turns out to be such a solitary life. But oh I do love to sing. It makes colors more vivid :-) I've been a writer since I can remember (used to tell on my sister through notes to my parents ;-) this art blossomed into an intense flair for poetry and short stories.

I eventually incorporated oil painting into the mix. My Brother-In-Law describes my work as coming from a surreal perspective (which was interesting because I hadn't quite noticed it before but this seemed the best one-word descripters thus far).

Gosh, I love creating design on the computer.

Please go indepth on your artistic tendencies. What do you think PTSD lends itself to?

As I watch movies, am transcended by an aria or transfixed by a bewitching painting, I realize that I am not the one out of sync, but it is the world at large that cannot handle the emotional intensity of digging at the bottom of the barrel and that maybe it is my purpose in life to connect people to this lifesource every now and then that we seem to be so forever linked into.

Many blessings,

CS

 

[CaliSparrow]

Process is a metaphor for life

I am very creative. I love to mess with all forms of art.

I am not good at some things! But, for me its not the product but the process!

Oh I so enjoyed your post. If everyone expressed themselves through ANY form of art, what kind of world would we live in!

As for the "process" of art, as a voice teacher of mine once said, "there is no 'there' there". I learned to love the process... maybe some of that lesson should be acknowledged in other aspects of life, no?

CS

 

[unbroken]

I wasn't sure if this question was just for those diagnosed with PTSD, or if I could respond to it also - so forgive me if I shouldn't have responded to it.

Since I did suffer abuse as a child, I found that being creative helped me through a lot of tough times. Punishments often meant I had to stay in my tiny, crowded room for hours, and sometimes I grabbed my brother's albums and drew the band members and the band logos.

These days, I'm a freelance graphic artist (my own part-time business), I have had short stories published and I write poetry and song lyrics. I've designed the logo and the first CD cover/case for a friend's band, which was a long time dream of mine. In appreciation, they promised to record one of my own songs on their next CD. A few months ago I took up piano lessons (the first time I've ever learned to play an instrument) and after my second lesson I wrote a basic melody for the song they're going to record, so I'll also get a music credit on the CD (that part just blows me away, but they insisted). I've also taught myself web design as well as a few graphics programs on the computer.

I enjoy it, but if I'm not in a good mood I have a hard time being creative, so that's why it's only part-time for me. I just don't want to lose the passion by having to rely on it for my bills.

 

[CaliSparrow]

Hi unbroken,

I hardly know an artist who isn't squelched by a bad mood. For me, if I can just start singing for myself, I'll typically have a banner day - not unlike exercising when you don't feel like it. I'm not sure why it is but maybe our boundaries are not as solid when we don't feel so good. We are better able to access that authentic self more deeply.

Good luck! -CS

 

[indigo~in~0z]

i dabble in a bit of everything, but like to hyperfocus when i do, so unfortunately i dont get to do that now with motherhood...
its apparently unacceptable/inappropriate to want to tune out for 3 days at a time while you complete a 'must finish' task..

 

[Mick]

I am a musician but can no longer play professionally. I can't interact well with band members, management, or fans. As well my physical heath doesn't allow me the energy I need to perform. It's very depressing for me. More or less it's the only thing I now how to do other than labor and thats out of the question now.

 

[cypher]

I put no, but I really like to paint abstract stuff. I like to paint and create things, build stuff and put stuff back together/fix things. I like to figure things out. I play hockey and I guess thats artistic with the plays and moves I come up with and create. (though it's probally already been done, but I dont know that) :o) Also I like to ski/board and try looking around for jumps and see what I can do with it.

I put no because I might like to do all this stuff, but am not very good at it (except the abstract paintings I guess, and skiing).