Friday, November 23, 2012

SkADaMo Revealed

When I agreed to participate in SkADaMo, I wasn't prepared to scan my sketches every day.  My computer equipment is from the Dark Ages.  When I realized other participants had been posting their drawings, I began the arduous process of digitizing my work, but there was something else I wasn't prepared for.  I wasn't prepared for the emotional punch in the stomach that I received when I thought about actually letting my peers see my sketches.
I had been happily cruising along in my PiBoIdMo notebook, alternating lists of ideas with doodles to get the creative juices flowing.  I had rehearsed my new battle cry: Silence The Inner Critic.  Up to now, it had been working.

As I paged through the first dozen drawings, my critic resurfaced.

He cried, "Ewww, not that one!"

He shouted, "You can do better than that!"

He fairly screamed, "Aren't you embarassed?"
I have agonized these last nine days over putting pencil to paper.  I have struggled with wanting to experiment, to stretch myself, to enjoy the process versus being willing to allow myself to be exposed as anything less than polished.

My solution is simple, but not easy:
When my Inner Critic shouts, his voice is drowned out by a murmuring chorus.


I hear Robert Weinstock mutter, "Embrace your lostness."

I hear Deborah Freedman whisper, "Occupy til there is no more shouting and it is quiet."

I remember Kelly Light telling me not to sink into the pit of self-doubt.

I obey Debbie Ridpath Ohi when she says take a deep breath, stop obsessing, and eat chocolate.

And I hear all the voices of all the talented book-making, book-loving people like Tara Lazar who support each other on the journey to Becoming.  This is what I am thankful for this November.


sketches by Joanne Roberts




8 comments:

  1. Wonderful sketches! You have obviously been eating chocolate ;)

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    1. Thank-you. And congratulations on Henny! 'Can't wait for it.

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  2. I love your sketches! Can't wait to see mo of them!

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    1. Thank-you. I love how you inspire your kids with your art. I need to do more of that.

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  3. I wish I had seen you were doing this too - you should have added your link to Linda's site! Of course now I can gorge on what I've missed!

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  4. Thanks, Julie. I sent a link, but must have put it somewhere Linda couldn't find it.

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  5. Hi Joanne, found you at SkADaMo. Delightful sketches. I think my fav is the little guy with the stuffed monkey - or no, I think its the kid that's flying, or - sorry, I like them all. Glad to meet you.

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  6. You are sweet! I've been watching your SkADaMo and especially appreciated your Thanksgiving piece. Thanks for the encouragement.

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