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I Believe In Expression Over Technical Ability: You Don’t Have To Be “Good” At Drawing

In this day and age, it is becoming increasingly easier to negatively compare ourselves to others. Everything from our bodies to our lifestyle is placed under the ever-narrowing social microscope, perpetuating false narratives that some of us simply don’t meet the “right” criteria. The same is also true of our self-expression. How many times have you created something you were proud of, only to then compare it to someone else’s efforts and subsequently bin it? And how about social media? I’m sure I’m not alone in receiving comments informing me of my “rubbish” approach to art. Yet I chose to wholeheartedly embrace expression over technical ability because you don’t have to be “good” at something to get a kick out of it.

The only standards you need to meet are your own.

During the first UK lockdown of 2020, I was stuck at home working remotely for a very toxic company. Between the uncertainty of the pandemic, home working, and the aftermath of ending an intense friendship, I needed some release. I found an old packet of felt tip pens stashed in a draw and began to scribble in an old notebook while listening to music. The result on the page was a pure expression, a little doodle I later named ‘Abundance’. I began sharing my scribbles on Facebook, strictly amongst friends. The feedback was surprisingly positive. People seemed to love the rawness, the honesty, and the vivid colors I had chosen.

It is now August 2021 and I have produced over 200 drawings.

As time progressed I allowed myself the luxury of better materials – A3 art paper, Sharpie pens, etc. I attempted to build on the style I had stumbled across while never losing sight of my original aim: to have a positive focus, feel good and express myself without fear. Art, expression, and positive mental health go hand-in-hand. It is time to stop worrying about being “good” at it. The faceless, almost liquid-like figures in my drawings were eventually nicknamed The Vibrational Beings, because that’s what human beings are: a mass of energy, constantly evolving and growing. They are not solid flesh bodies – they are emotions, ideas, and inspiration.

As strange as it may sound to some, my Vibrational Beings have kept me company. They have seen me through three lockdowns, a change of job, friendships coming and going, mental ups and downs, and everything else that life has conjured up. Self-discovery through art can be a profound moment. A mirror may reflect your body, but the markings on the paper are the internal mirror reflecting parts of ourselves we perhaps didn’t even realize we had.

Over time, my “art” became a part of my identity and was even transformed into a deck of Oracle Cards entitled The Vibrational Beings Oracle. Not bad for somebody who chose not to worry about being “good”.

Pandas, I have a challenge for you! Choose a hobby you were always afraid to participate in for fear of being bad at it. Now, go ahead and do it anyway. Even if you choose to keep it private, your efforts are still valid.

More info: Instagram