Mostly I'm a little nervous - like I'm going to be revealed as a major novice painter and will be so far behind everyone else in the classes. However, one of the benefits of being older is that I really don't care that much about what other people think. I AM a novice, and I'm there to learn. I know I'm not a great painter - I don't have what some call a "talent" for it. However, I can learn - and I get a lot of satisfaction from it. So I will continue.
I'm glad both classes are on landscapes. That something I'd really like to get better at - both en plein air - and alla prima. I want to get to the point that I can see values more easily.
Onward and Upward. LOL!
Update: I discovered that I actually DO care what other people think - especially when the other person is someone who teaches art and described my art as "naive." I cancelled my participation in all the classes I listed above. I need to work on my art for my own enjoyment. I can take online classes and lessons. And I KNOW that "naive art" is an actual thing - and that some artists aspire to paint naive art. However, when you AREN'T aspiring to paint naive art (art that looks like a beginner/child did it), then calling it naive is definitely not a compliment.
However, with that said, I have to work on not being so sensitive about my art. I certainly don’t want insincere compliments. I see people online post some truly dreadful (to me) art, and people praise it and go on and on. I also see art that simply doesn’t appeal to me, regardless of how well it is painted. I’ve had to “eat crow” a little after my flare-up of insecurity when the art teacher called my art naive. You’d think at the ripe old age of 67 (at the time) I would know to wait out knee jerk reactions a day or two before taking actions or responding. But no - I had to respond while I was highly emotional. LOL! Age doesn’t necessarily bring wisdom! I’m human - and that’s life. No biggie. Moving on . . . .
